Episode 59 - Rio Rancho Girls, 2021 5A NM XC Champs

This week I had the pleasure to talk with the 5A Cross Country State Championship winning team on the the girls side, Rio Rancho. The girls, Tessa Holderman, Lorynn Trujillo, Violet Francisco, Marleigh Smith and Esther Cameron, as well as Coach Gonzales, talk about the year and how much they've bonded leading up to the state meet.

You can hear how close they are in their conversations and what it meant to be running for each other. The majority of them also not competing for Rio Rancho last year. They talk about getting to know each other, relying on each other, and the fact that running was their only excuse to get out of the house during a pandemic, as one of them said.

In a year without team competition, it was great to hear how they were able to stay close and work together and really bond. They talk about running for the love of it and their teammates. That was what got them through the year, which is any coach's dream, even in the best circumstances. I hope that you enjoy their energy as much as I did.

The weather is getting nicer and it's easier to be outside. May sure you continue to be safe so that these athletes can finish off this strange year. So be kind, wear your mask, and as always, keep running, New Mexico.