As some of you may know from my posts I'm a huge proponent of the idea, "strong track program or very good track athletes in your program usually equals success on the Gridiron".
If you look at the teams playing in the finals in 6a, 5a and 4a all six of those programs boast very strong track programs or elite track and field athletes. Taos has been a mainstay as a strong 4a track program, Bloomfield came to Albuquerque last May with a young track team and turned heads with numerous athletes placing in the 5a meet. Coincidence?
Let's dig further; La.Cueva and Cleveland had a few individuals who placed in the state meet last season; notably Chris Thomas from Cleveland and Connor O'Toole from La Cueva. Both track programs have been solid in the sprints and weights the last few years, is that also a coincidence?
Let's look at 5a. No program has exemplified the commitment to work on the track affecting results on the gridirion, than Los Lunas. Before Jeremy Maupin arrived in Los lunas track was something students did to earn a letter. Now the Tigers have a serious track program including winning their district last May. When they line up this weekend in the State championship they will be facing a Roswell group who have several distinguished track and field athletes including Justin Carrasco, Cade Manzanares and Jasia Reece.
If you want to take this out further the teams in the semifinals also boasted strong track programs. Volcano Vista has next level track guys in Blaine Grant and Joah Flores, Hope has a number of track athletes; Vince Quesada, who won the hurdles in 4a along with a group of talented athletes. Portales has Julian Urioste who placed in the 200 in 4a, and Phillip Blidi who placed in shot put last May additionally St Pius X has Isaiah Griffin who placed in the 5a 100m last May. Goddard has a few talented track athletes including one Dalton Bowles.
Additionally, you see a direct correlation between the rise of a track program(specifically sprints, weights and jumps) and the rise of the football program. Bernalillo was a playoff team for the first time in a few years but they also had a great May on the track. Deming had a number of track athletes including the fastest prep player in the state regardless of class, Ceasar Chavez all of whom contrubuted mightily to their semi final run which they had not done in some time.
Not enough attention is paid to the idea that track and field success equaling gridiron sucess.
