Congratulations to the Alamogordo Girls Track and Field Team who won their 2nd consecutive 5A State Championship and arriving home to a police escort in victory… Thank you Mayor Susan Payne for representing Alamogordo from the stands of this state championship and the live feed of victory…
The Alamogordo boys finish 7th overall at the 5A State Championships in Albuquerque.
Congrats to Lady Tigers on bringing home back-to back blue trophies! This program was begun by Coach Marilyn Sepulveda and not since her time in leadership in the 80s has the program seen as much success as the last two years. Living in her legacy she would be proud of these young ladies and of the leadership shown by the present coaching staff under Jason Atkinson, as head coach.
Yvonne Stinson is the high point scorer with 28.5 points!
AlamogordoTownNews.com Celebrates Black History Months with its series, “The Spirts of Delaware Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico”. This article is the story of Alamogordo High Schools first black female coach and its very first state title in Girls Interscholastic Sports…
Many residents of Alamogordo, who have been in the community since the late 60’s, recognize the Scott name, for their visible community leadership within the Black community of the 60s, 70s and 80s. All the family was involved in various aspects of community and the educational community at large.
Ms. Scott’s father, a former military officer, was a pioneer at Alamogordo high school as a strict but compassionate guidance counselor. Her sister was respected and recognized for her many achievements including exceptionalism with the National Forensic League Speech and Debate Oratory events.
Debra Scott came up in the educational system during a period when women’s athletics were not funded by the schools and the only outlet for competition for girls was via the GAA (Girls Athletics Association.) In those days most girls’ athletics was not funded as part of the traditional school funding, The girls and their coaches had to do fundraising to fund the sports activities they participated in. Events held were limited in the sports offerings for girls.
As an example, Coach Bob Sepulveda re-created the White Sands Relays which in the 1950’s Coach Rolla Buck founded.
The first revamped White Sands Relay Race was in 1970 and was only for men. The second White Sands Relay was hosted in 1972. The second annual meet was opened to girls in 3 events, thanks to the encouragement of Coach Marilyn Sepulveda, to open it up to the girls. The second meet was opened to girls for 3 events and expanded drastically in subsequent years post GAA under Title 9.
GAA or meets under the Girls Athletic Association did not have the same prestige of interscholastic of the modern times of today but the competitors that did compete were fierce and created record times that would stand against any today.
Debbie Scott as a student athlete at Alamogordo High was one of those record holders and girls with significant promise in her athletic, and academic abilities under the mentorship of Coach Marilyn Sepulveda and others.
Coach Scott told the Alamogordo News in a May 15th, 1974, article that; “she began running in the 4th Grade and has not stopped since. She claimed when Grayland Walsh tried to kiss her on the playground she learned to run and one year later was beating the boys in the 100-yard dash.”
Note: she was such a great runner that Coach’s Bob Sepulveda who coached the boys track team and Coach Marilyn Sepulveda who coached the girls’ teams agreed to allow her to train with the boys when running.
When researching the book; Coach Bob Sepulveda, The Early Days published by 2nd Life Media the author tells of many of the “boys of that time praised Debbie Scott.” Several boys said, “she used to embarrass them by how fast she was compared to them.” They said they’d get back to the locker room and they would get a ribbing about Debbie “whooping them, not only in speed but also in form.”
She often came in 1st in Elementary School relays and for the many years to follow in high school and college. She was a natural winner and had the discipline and passion for excellence.
She earned her 1st of 4 Presidential Physical fitness patches in the 6th grade and continued a tradition of winning thereafter.
Her parents enrolled her in dance lessons for 13 years and in piano lessons for 9 years. She continued learning dance for years after and teaching dancercise classes in the high school later in her career. Those students in reflecting, remembered this many years later, the Jane Fonda style dancercise classes conducted by Ms. Scott were unique, innovative and “great fun under Coach Debbie’s leadership.” Coach Bob Sepulveda said that “Debbie’s dancercise classes and his weight classes were the most popular offerings ever offered by the PE department” at least that is during his 30 plus year tenure at Alamogordo High School.
“It takes a lot of time to be good at something and you have to be willing to sacrifice your social life for something you feel you’ll get just as much satisfaction out of”, she was quoted as saying to the Alamogordo News. Coach Scott believed the good outweighs the bad in athletics.
It allowed her to travel the country, meet many great people and gain accolades and confidence that she was able to pass to her students years later based upon her performance of excellence.
In 1973 in college, she went to the AAU nationals and was selected to the women’s All American Track Team. She held the state record for college level women in the 220-yard dash at 24.5 for several years and was rated 4th best in the nation in long jump in 1974.
An All-America team is a hypothetical American sports team composed of outstanding student players. These players are broadly considered by media and other relevant commentators as the best positional players in a particular sport, for a specific season.
Debbie Scott was the first female athlete to graduate from Alamogordo High School to gain that status as an “All American Track and Field Athlete.”
The designation of “All American” is administered by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross-Country Coaches Association. The selection rules are that the top eight finishers in each individual event, as well as American competitors who finish outside the top eight in their event but are among the top eight of the American finishers in an event, earn All-America designation. She qualified for her excellence in two events: the long jump and the 220-yard dash.
Her advice to other female athletes was, “If you have got talent or are just interested in sports, you should take advantage of the opportunities for women everywhere you can.”
While a student at Alamogordo High she competed in the last year GAA existed. She won multiple awards and medals placing often in the 100-yard dash, long jump, and other events. She ran often as an independent woman with the Duke City Dashers Running Club and set records in the Mile Relay and the 220.
Debbie Scott ran on a relay team with Alamogordo alumni Carolyn Patterson and Julia Fultz ranking 2nd at a Northern Colorado Invitational while attending New Mexico State University. New Mexico State University had 4 alumni of Alamogordo Girls Track & Field Team that competed: Debbie Scott, Carolyn Patterson, Julie Fultz, and Vicki Murray.
Upon graduation from college Debbie Scott was hired by the Alamogordo school system to teach and to coach. She would ultimately lead Alamogordo girls’ teams in Volleyball and in assisting Coach Marilyn Sepulveda in Track & Field to great success.
The early 70s was a transitional year for Alamogordo Girls Sports and for Debbie Scott who as an Alumni and then re-joined Alamogordo High School, but now as a teacher and a coach.
The passage of Title IX, the 1972 Education Amendments to the Civil Rights Act, expanded high school athletic opportunities to include girls, revolutionizing mass sports participation in the United States. Organized sports have long been an integral part of the American high school experience for boys. However, the same has not been historically true for girls. Indeed, girls only began playing sports in large numbers after the passage of legislation mandating gender equity in schools.
The first regulation stipulating the procedures for the implementation of Title IX were not released until June 1975. Some schools began interpreting and implementing Title IX prior to June of 1975.
Alamogordo High was one such school system that progressively moved forward with implementation prior to the full Federal rules rollout. From the 1950’s through the late 1970’s Alamogordo High School was considered “aprogressive front runner in leading social change and a model for school systems across the country.”
Teacher and Coach Debbie Scott was named Head Volleyball Coach the 2nd year after girls’ interscholastic volleyball was introduced at Alamogordo High School.
She was the first African American Woman to lead a sports program in Alamogordo High School since organized sports began in 1912.
But that would not be her only first.
Under Coach Debbie Scott the Alamogordo Girls Volleyball team that she coached was the first of any girls’ sports team to achieve the status of winning a state title. Under her leadership the first state title in girls’ athletics for Alamogordo High School was achieved….
Marylin Sepulveda as track and field coach was the first to bring state trophies home placing 2nd place several times prior but it was Debbie Scott that broke the glass ceiling and brought home the 1st Red Trophy or 1st Place State Title in Girls Sports to Alamogordo…
Alamogordo Girls Volleyball team wins the State 1979/80 School Year
“Alamogordo Girls Volleyball team wins the state competition in Santa Fe” read the local sports headlines.
Girls Volleyball Coach Debbie Scott was incredibly pleased that her girls who placed 2nd in the district meet then showed what they had, and came through, to win the state competition with a 1st Place showing a week later in the class AAAA girl’s tournament.
The tournament was deep, in steep competition, as their first round they drew state champion Santa Fe and were expected to lose. The Santa Fe Coach had said in a television interview the day prior that, “we will sail easily through the opening round against Alamogordo.”
With Debbie Scott coaching and rallying the girls forward,” the Alamogordo Tiger Girls roared and knocked Santa Fe right out of the action.”
The final round they competed against Albuquerque Eldorado for the championship. The Tiger girls took the first game by a narrow margin of 15 to 11.
The 2nd game was even closer 16 to 14 but they won it and walked away with the state title.
Coach Debbie Scott was thrilled to receive the NM State Title Trophy at a hastily called assembly of the school and her girls that Monday morning. Many of the volleyball girls went on to play girls basketball the same year.
The girls that competed that very special weekend under the direction of Coach Debbie Scott had no way of knowing then that they were shattering glass ceilings, breaking the barriers of race and gender that once existed with the simple act of a volley across a net in Santa Fe.
A record of firsts places Debbie Scott into the books of Alamogordo History.
Coach and Educator Debbie Scott would continue at Alamogordo for several more years in leading the Volleyball team to victories and assisting with Marilyn Sepulveda as the assistant track and field coach for the Tiger girls and eventually also lead them with Mrs. Sepulveda to State title history.
Debbie Scott was and remains a pioneer of black history but more importantly a leader, an example and a pioneer in gender equality and the overall history of Alamogordo.
Ms. Scott now an educator, in another state, remains a recognized leader, an accomplished athlete and a name embedded into the annual’s fabric of Alamogordo history for eternity.
Black history is our history and the history that includes all of us!
This is one of the many tales of Alamogordo Sports History and Alamogordo Black History from our AlamogordoTownNews.com Series – “The Spirts of Delaware Street, Alamogordo, New Mexico”.
Author Chris Edwards – Sources: Coach Bob Sepulveda: The Early Days, Publisher 2nd Life Media, New Mexico Athletic Association, Diaries of Marilyn Sepulveda, Alamogordo Town News, New Mexico Coaches Association Archives
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The Founding of the New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA)
In 1921 The New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) was formed as a nonprofit organization that regulates interscholastic programs for junior and senior high schools in New Mexico. It became the official host and record keeper for the statewide sports championship games each year thereafter and collaborated with the University of New Mexico to continue to host events. keeping and leading interscholastic events within New Mexico today.
NMAA was organized in 1921 by John Milne, James Bickley, F. H. Lynn, and J.D. Shinkle as the New Mexico High School Athletic Association.
Alamogordo High School joined the association in 1921 and proceeded to send athletes to its events.
The 1920’s has been called the Golden Age of American Sports. It also has been called the Age of the Spectator.
The United States had a strong economy for most of that decade with extensive growth on the west coast with the formation of New Mexico and new cities and school systems. Organized sports were at a pinnacle many workers had more leisure time. New and bigger stadiums and gymnasiums were built, interest and pride in local High School and College Teams became America’s pastime.
The introduction of radio made it easier for fans to keep up with their favorite teams. Radio and local newspapers increased their coverage of sports building local community support of their hometown teams. High School interscholastic sports gained significant traction and community pride via local media.
Alamogordo High School had a very limited sports program in 1922 but the Boys Basketball team was a bright spot for the citizens of Alamogordo that provided much community pride.
The citizens of Alamogordo had significant pride in their Boys Basketball Team that season of 1922 under Coach & Professor L. R. “Peanuts” Robins. Coach Robin’s was a disciplined athlete that took education seriously. The coach expected his boys to perform well academically and athletically. Citizenship and good stewardship of their reputation and that of the Alamogordo High School was a paramount lesson he intended to instill upon his student athletes.
The 1922/23 season was a strong one for the the Alamogordo Tiger Boys which were picked to win the district tournament and carry that victory forward to the state championships hosted by the NMAA in Albuquerque.
According to the Alamogordo News at the time, “Close performance of the teams that were to participate in the high school tournament for the basketball teams of the southern district of New Mexico, agreed that Alamogordo would give a good account of its team at the tournament. And winning the tournament it was conceded that the Alamogordo high schools’ boys would mix it up pretty strong at the state contest in Albuquerque. The Alamogordo boys had already won from the Albuquerque team, winner of the central tournament.But Alamogordo did not win the Las Cruces district tournament.”
Alamogordo did not win the Las Cruces district tournament.
The why of the matter was very nicely told in the El Paso Times by Gene Fromme.
“Why Alamogordo Withdrew…
Alamogordo High School’s failure to enter the district basketball tournament for the state title for the 1922/23 school year had everyone wondering.
Every fan in the southwest knew Alamogordo High packed probably the classiest crew of cage performers in the entire state. Their slashing victory over the strong Albuquerque High School boosted them to a lofty standing and a championship for the team seemed almost assured.
Coach “Peanuts” Robins had molded a masterful quintet from the rawest kind of material. All of his backers had expressed their willingness to bet their boots Alamogordo would march off with the state title.
Then came the time for them to show their basket of wares and they failed to make an appearance.
Here is the mystery unreeled by one the shrewdest and fairest athletic followers, who is more than merely interested in the welfare of the Alamogordo High school basketball team:
It takes downright courage for a successful young athletic coach who has toiled night and day with his team to refuse to enter a tournament he would most probably have won, for sheer sake of principle. And that is exactly what Coach “Peanuts” Robbins of Alamogordo High did. This is the kind of coaching that places athletics on a plane worthwhile.
Without entering into a full discussion of the cause of the young coach’s commendable action, suffice it to say a small number only of the boys on the team who, after riding over the rough bumps of the Alamo trails, took of the cars and said they wished to take a ride around town. They feel victims to the smooth El Paso-Las Cruces Road, and before they knew it they were doing things not consistent with the best athletic conditions.
While this kind of a lark is not a legal crime, it showed poor judgement on the part of the boys, and certainly could not be tolerated by the coach.
Upon the boys’ return from their adventure the Alamogordo, Coach Robins promptly removed them from the team.
This naturally incapacitated the club for such as contest as was before them, and in which, considering all former “dope” they no doubt would have won. With crushed hearts the other boys who had remained true to their teachings and colors, along with their comrades, who would willingly have given anything to undo the wrong which they had done, moved our for the long night ride to their home. Thus, Alamogordo went unheralded for the season.”
Other accounts of the events around the district tournament report that Coach L R Robinson had every intention of entering the boys into the competition and believed strongly that they could carry the banner for a state title. According to the coach, “ the Alamogordo Boys took the trip entirely too lightly. The boys broke training and went joy riding.”
The public was confused. From the viewpoint of the chances of Alamogordo gaining basketball fame in the state tournament, the incident from some was considered deplorable. But from the angle of what sport in the schools stands for, cleanliness and training of the body and mind, the development of discipline and sportsmanship. Coach Robbins was eminently correct.
Coach “Peanuts” Robin’s goes down in New Mexico High School sports history and Alamogordo Sports History as the coach that placed principle and discipline over the accolades of winning a state championship.
The question of course is what kind of pressure did the coach face upon his return without a district or state title in hand?
Mr. Robins had the full support of the faculty and of the directors or school board of Alamogordo. He well deserved it. According to a statement from a school administrator at the time; “Coach R L “Peanuts” Robins proved himself a thorough sportsman and a man fit to be given the direction of young athletes.”
One wonders. if that same level of ethics and stamina exists within the coaching staff and administration to take on the public scrutiny of such a decision today. Would the same decision be made by the coach to pull the team in our modern times of today? Thoughts to ponder from lessons of the history of the Alamogordo Sports Program dating back over 120 years.
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$1.5 billion annually, that’s how much college football’s 25 most valuable teams earn in combined profit in an average year, according to Forbes‘ most recent “College Football’s Most Valuable Teams” list.
College sports generates a tremendous amount of money for universities, but college athletes have long been given little more than a scholarship in return.
Polling has consistently shown a majority of Americans believe college athletes should be paid more though, and NCAA officials have started showing support for allowing players to profit off the use of name, image and likeness, until today.
New Mexico Led The Nation
New Mexico SB 94. Titled STUDENT ATHLETE ENDORSEMENT ACT, Sponsored by Mark Moores, Bill B. O’Neill, and Antonio “Moe” Maestas passed the New Mexico Senate with 39 yes votes and 0 no votes on 2/19/21. The bill then passed the New Mexico House of Representatives with 43, yes votes and 21, no votes. The governor signed the bill into law on 4/7/21 to take effect July 1st, 2021.
The text of the actually bill signed by the governor is available to read via the text:
The law goes into effect on July 1st, the same day that a similar law will go into effect in the state of Florida, becoming the first two states that will have the laws in effect.
“The NCAA model is not working for the athletes who drive the product,” Lujan Grisham’s press secretary told the Albuquerque Journal following the pass of the bill on Wednesday.
New Mexico’s law includes that athletes can receive food, shelter, having medical expenses paid for by a third party, or making money based off the use of their name, image, and likeness. Meaning that athletes featured on billboards, in commercials, or in video games can now begin to make money without fear of being declared ineligible. Athletes can also hire agents to set up endorsement deals but cannot hire them to represent them in contact with professional teams.
A total of 10 state have similar laws taking effect in July based on the New Mexico model. The NCAA wants to have federal laws or its own permanent rules regarding the issue known as NIL, but was forced to seek a temporary solution rather than have athletes in some states eligible for compensation while others were not.
Without NCAA action, athletes in some states could be making money without putting their college eligibility in jeopardy while their counterparts in other states could be in danger of breaking NCAA rules.
The NCAA’s stopgap measure comes less than two weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the association in a case involving education-related benefits. That 9-0 ruling is expected to impact issues related to compensation for athletes.
The expected approval from the NCAA Board of Directors came a few days after a recommendation from the Division I Council to allow athletes in every state to pursue compensation for their name, image and likeness without jeopardizing their college eligibility.
The NCAA’s stunning reversal came after California passed a Fair Pay to Play Act, which would go into effect in 2023. Other states are looking at possible legislation. The California law would allow athletes to sign endorsement deals and licensing contracts, something NCAA rule makers will address.
NCAA officials said they were aiming to have a nationwide rollout of the recommendations made among their 1,100 members.
Figuring out all the details of it, it’s going to be a challenge. It’s a much more complex issue than most people see it as. I think schools are going to be able to work through this process and come up with rules that makes great sense for the student athletes and allow universities to continue their collegiate model of athletics, NCAA Officials have said.
NCAA officials said the working group will continue to get feedback on how to deal with state legislation and that will help guide future recommendations.
A very interesting argument in favor of athlete pay was made by the New Mexico Law Review and can be found in the link below…
New Mexico Law Review -Let’s Get Serious – The Clear Case for Compensating the Student Athlete – By the Numbers Neal Newman Texas A&M University – School of Law
This move follows compliance to a New Mexico state law that takes effect July 1st.
The New Mexico legislature found itself on the cutting edge beating out typical states such as New York, California or Washington State on a progressive approach to student athlete compensation. What is even more impressive is the bi-partisan support this bill got in the New Mexico legislature with unanimous approval by all New Mexico Senate Republicans and Democrats and example of true bi-partisanship.
The fallout to this new regulation will become a true headache for college coaches and compliance officers creating a whole new set of pressure on those professional staffs. It is conceivable with a superstar collegiate athlete whose likeness is used often could be high paid than the millions of dollars paid to college football coaches. That in itself will ultimately create an interesting dynamic that social scientist and college administrators will be studying for decades into the future.
When it comes to sports we indeed do live in interesting times in the 21st Century.
Alamogordo Girls Interscholastic Track and Field Program began in 1972 under the leadership of Coach Marilyn Sepulveda. Under her leadership she brought home the first State Track and Field Titles for either the Boys or Girls Team in 1982 when there were only 4 divisions. She won the division AAAA State titled in 1982. Following upon the legacy she built of a sound program the team won a state title again in 1990. Leading the team that season was coach Joe Jaramillo who had been an assistant to Coach Marilyn Sepulveda. The team won the victory in 1990 in honor of Coach Marilyn Sepulveda who died of cancer in 1989. Several of her athletes carried the banner in 1990 in her honor and eventually the prestigious Coach Marilyn Sepulveda Invitational State Qualifying Meet was created in her honor.
The Alamogordo Girls went on to win a state title again in 2017 under Coach Jason Atkinson. Coach Atkinson again proceeded to carry his team this unusually difficult post Covid-19 year to a second title under his leadership winning the girls state title today for 2021. Great job Coach Atkinson!!!
The Western Sky Community Care Class 5A Girls State Track & Field Championships awarded Alamogordo Tiger Girls with the first place title with a score of 79.50, second place went to La Cueva with 53 points and the third place trophy went to Sandia with 51 points.
The High Point athlete for the day was Adriana Tatum, Sandia with 19 points.
Alamogordo High School began an organized sports program in 1912 for Caucasian boys offering PE, Track & Field and Basketball and Football. In 1913, the authorities of the University of New Mexico believing that one of the great needs of the High Schools of the state was an opportunity to meet, at least once a year in athletic and other contests, organized the University of New Mexico Track Athletic Association. A track meet was held in the spring of that year at Albuquerque, and two high schools, Santa Fe and Albuquerque contested for the banner.
Although the beginning was small, a great deal of interest from across the state was aroused.
Alamogordo High School won its first state medals in 1916/17 School Year and they were in Track and Field via the High Jump and the Triple Jump.
AlamogordoHigh School boys won the first State Title under Coach Rolla Buck the year that Alamogordo integrated with High School with African American and Hispanic Athletes in 1951.
The results of the State Competition winners include…
Bobby Lee, 1st Place, 100 Yard Dash, 9.8
Bobby Lee, 1st Place,220 Yard Dash, 21.21.6
Bobby Lee, 1st Place, Long Jump, 21’-01.375
Norman Kinder, 1st Place, Pole Vault, 10’-10.50”
Benny Garcia, 1st Place. Javelin, 193’-01.325
The Alamogordo Tigers Track and Field Team of 1951/52 smashed the competition at the state finals of that year.
They took and won the state competition with 48.5 points. Albuquerque High, the 1951 State Champion scored 21.5 points less for a 2nd place finish of 27 points.
Lee in addition to setting 2 state records personally scored 24 ¾ points. He broke the state records in the 100-yard dash by .2 seconds and the 220 by .8 seconds better than the record.
Lee was also 3rd Place in Shot Put
Benny Garcia shattered the state record in Javelin 11’ 3 ⅛” of 5 state records; the Tigers broke 3 of them.
Norman Kinder Placed 1st in Pole Vault with 10’-10.50”
Ed McAlpine, 2nd Place. in the state competition in Javelin behind Garcia.
Bobby Fritz, 3rd Place, Broad Jump
In the sprints in addition to the 1st Place wins of Bobby Lee, Oliver Lee, 4th Place 180 Low Hurdles.
The 880 Yard Relay Team consisting of Henderson, Fritz, O Lee and Bobby Lee placed with a 3rd place medal.
Benny Garcia shattered the state record in Javelin 11’ 3 ⅛” of 5 state records; the Tigers broke 3 of them.
Norman Kinder, 1st Place, Pole Vault, 10’-10.50”
Benny Garcia went on to join the 1956 Olympics…
Alamogordo continued a winning tradition of building a strong track and field team and under Coach Bob Sepulveda the Boys won state titles in 1985, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and under Coach Joe Bryant in 2007.
The Alamogordo Boys did a fine showing this difficult 2021 year continuing the tradition of bringing home individual medals to Alamogordo from the State.
The Alamogordo Boys finished 7th overall this post Covid 5A Track and Field Championships
Congratulations to these young men for their commitment and determination to carry on a tradition of Tiger success.
Congratulations to ALL of the athletes that competed this most difficult season, you are each winners and demonstrate the best of New Mexico pride!
To learn more of the history of Alamogordo Track and Field check out Coach Robert Sepulveda The Early Days Book 1 – part of a 3 part book series on Alamogordo Athletics and its history from 1912 to 1976 is Available at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico or on Amazon and available in 36 countries. Book 2 the Alamogordo Track and Field History and all district and state title holders named from 1976 to 1996 will be available soon!
Some video highlights of the Alamogordo Track and Field 2021 Season and heading to the state meet!<!– EMBEDDED YOUTU.BE URL: https://youtu.be/MeOik5IuLkA –>
In case you missed the jovial guy on a bike zipping around Alamogordo yesterday, you missed a man of commitment and compassion.
Meet Mike Swartz. While some people have sat back and complained during this dark period of Covid-19 and the new awakening as we come out of it, there are some individuals that didn’t just sit back in self pity but some individuals set a goal and a path forward to help the greater good of their community and followed through on that path forward in enlightenment and action.A view of Bill Swartz journey
Mike Swartz is one of those individuals. He is bicycling across America from Harbor New Jersey to San Diego to raise awareness and funds for charity. His solo ride of about 4000 miles in total down the east coast and across the country is to raise money for Bell Socialization Services which began in 1966 as “The Bell Club,” a social gathering for people being discharged from local psychiatric hospitals into the greater York, PA community. Created with support of the York chapter of Mental Health America and a financial donation from the York Jaycees, early Bell programs included meals and activities hosted by churches and organizations such as the Catholic Women’s Club, the Jewish War Veteran’s Auxilliary, the Jaycees Wives, etc., as well as dances, presentations, and outings.
The organization then engaged to enrich mental health services, in 1977, programs were also added to assist individuals with intellectual disabilities , and in 1986, the agency added shelter services to meet the needs of York County’s homeless families.
Over the years Bell services continued to evolve and expand and, today, about 2,500 people are served each year through dozens of programs offering an array of housing and basic living supports, guided by our Vision, Mission, & Values. Many Bell programs are licensed and/or accredited to meet strict standards of quality care. With more than 50 properties throughout York and Adams counties, people using Bell services are an integral part of the greater community.
You can follow along the remaining parts of Mr. Swartz journey and read his commentary and blog over his encounters along the way ata variety of social media pages which are devoted to this bicycle ride. You’ll see photos, video clips and stories about my experiences and the interesting folks I meet as I bicycle across America. * FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/coasttocoastbicycleride/ * INSTAGRAM: @billswartz3 * WEBSITE for this COASTtoCOASTbicycleride: www.thisclearbluesky.com
We were fortunate to meet this jovial man at Roadrunner Emporium on New York Avenue yesterday. He explained his journey and his passion and moved us with his experiences.
Mr Swartz said he was attracted to the street and to come into Roadrunner Emporium as he heard John a Lennon’s famous “Imagine” being coming from the Emporium and he knew from that inspiring sound he had to check out the Emporium and the historic New York Avenue. Proving once again “music unites us.”Artist Dalia Lopez Halloway and Author Chris Edwards Photographed by Bill Swartz on His Journey
His journey reminds us all that there are good people out there, not just sitting back but taking action from the darkness to bring light to causes and issues that are important to the community and the nation at large.
Humanity is out there if we just keep our eyes open and look for it. Good luck Mr. Swartz.
And to make a donation to the charity follow the link attached:
To see a FOX News Clip on his journey visit The Fox 43 TV news affiliates video clip that gives a good overview of this coast to coast bicycle ride fundraiser and the charity for which I’m riding:
Congratulations to the Alamogordo Tigers Track and Field Boys (203 points) and Girls Team (219 Points) Winning the Bob Sepulveda Invitational Meet in competition with Tularosa, Centennial, Las Cruces, Deming and Silver. This win comes on the back of Alamogordo Boys and Girls both winning the Thurman Jordan Relays in Deming on May 28th.
The Lady Tigers again placed First Place with 219 team points
2) Centennial High School 71
3) Las Cruces High School 63
4) Silver High School 25
5) Deming High School 10
6) Tularosa High School 5 The Alamogordo Tiger Boys Placed First with 203 points
2) Centennial High School 72
3) Deming High School 59
4) Las Cruces High School 45
5) Silver High School 15
6) Tularosa High School 7
Individual results supplied by Mile Split NM include…
Event 1 Girls 4×100 Meter Relay Finals 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 49.49 1) Stinson, Yvonne 2) Martin, Justyse 3) Walker, Gracie 4) Adams, Rebecca 2 Las Cruces High School ‘A’ 52.22
Event 2 Boys 4×100 Meter Relay 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 44.95 1) Moser, Landon 2) Kotter, Gabe 3) Gilbert, Harlon 4) Sell, Zack 2 Deming High School ‘A’ 47.06 1) Reyna, Fabian 2) Au, Esau 3) Villegas, Gabriel 4) Ramirez, Cesar
Event 3 Girls 800 Meter Run 1 Battle, Ellary Alamogordo H 2:21.29 2 Najar, Vanesa Alamogordo H 2:34.68 3 Shaklee, Janae Alamogordo H 2:36.59 4 Soe, Saung Alamogordo H 2:44.41 5 Armendariz, Lauren Silver High 2:52.79 6 Romero, Miranda Las Cruces H 2:56.13 7 Guzman, Valerie Centennial H 3:01.76 8 Santistevan, Kathleen Deming High 3:04.98 9 Marjmelejo, Valeria Las Cruces H 3:09.87 10 Cardoza, Clorinda Centennial H 3:17.19 11 Trujillo, Arianna Centennial H 3:27.39
Event 4 Boys 800 Meter Run 1 Garcia, Celso Alamogordo H 2:05.81 2 Aguilar, Daniel Deming High 2:11.42 3 Enriquez, Omar Alamogordo H 2:13.86 4 Dalmas, Isaiah Alamogordo H 2:18.30 5 Bernal, Eric Las Cruces H 2:19.95 6 Lara, Aaron Centennial H 2:22.28 7 Ball, Evan Centennial H 2:34.82 8 Hibpshman, Jared Alamogordo H 2:43.90 9 Leuenberger, Jonathan Centennial H 3:21.24
Event 5 Girls 100 Meter Hurdles 1 Duchene, Kaelan Alamogordo H 16.60 2 2 Bates, Trezure Alamogordo H 18.09 2 3 Riordan, Anna Alamogordo H 18.19 2 4 Leal, Ayanna Centennial H 18.26 2 5 Handley, Billie Las Cruces H 20.27 1 6 Contreras, Nikki Las Cruces H 20.56 1 7 Castillo, Juliana Alamogordo H 21.90 1
Event 6 Boys 110 Meter Hurdles 1 Sell, Zack Alamogordo H 16.69 2 Kotter, Gabe Alamogordo H 16.84 3 Mcrae, Crystan Las Cruces H 17.17 4 Hernandez, Daniel Centennial H 18.19 5 Mitchell, Aiden Centennial H 19.59 6 Sell, Matthew Alamogordo H 19.70 7 Madrid, Diego Silver High 19.92
Event 7 Girls 100 Meter Dash 1 Martin, Justyse Alamogordo H 12.69 2 2 Alexander, Leih’Asiyah Silver High 13.78 2 3 Thomas, Sydney Alamogordo H 13.83 2 4 Adams, Rebecca Alamogordo H 13.93 2 5 Barrio, Audrey Centennial H 14.34 2 6 Navarette, Janessa Centennial H 14.45 1 7 Woffard, Isabella Las Cruces H 14.52 1 8 Misquez, Kaley Silver High 14.83 1 9 Walker, Arriana Alamogordo H 14.87 1 10 Ocampo, Lauren Centennial H 15.28 2 11 Reinhold, Delia Las Cruces H 15.75 1 12 Sedor, Khrystal Centennial H 16.11 1 13 Rojas, Alyssa Las Cruces H 19.82 1
Event 8 Boys 100 Meter Dash 1 Johnson, Derrik Las Cruces H 11.47 3 2 Gilbert, Harlon Alamogordo H 11.53 3 3 Reyna, Fabian Deming High 11.81 3 4 Baeza, Isaac Deming High 12.11 1 5 Parra, Jose Silver High 12.21 3 6 Chacon, Josiah Silver High 12.37 1 7 Madrid, Richie Las Cruces H 12.41 2 8 Abeyta, Isaiah Centennial H 12.44 2 9 Mediola, Napu Alamogordo H 12.50 3 10 Ocoha, Jesus Alamogordo H 12.62 1 11 Vasquez, Ricky Silver High 12.66 2 12 Bitar, Juan Centennial H 12.68 2 13 Ortega, Israel Tularosa Hig 12.70 3 13 Moser, Landon Alamogordo H 12.70 3 15 Villegas, Gabriel Deming High 12.84 2 16 Rios, Joshua Silver High 13.07 1 17 Gibson, Whitney Centennial H 13.69 2 18 Fort, Craig Centennial H 14.07 2
Event 9 Girls 1600 Meter Run 1 Battle, Ellary Alamogordo H 5:37.37 2 Green, Lindsey Silver High 5:49.09 3 Shaklee, Janae Alamogordo H 5:57.92 4 Hoyle, Deianira Centennial H 6:05.25 5 Santistevan, Kathleen Deming High 7:33.56
Event 10 Boys 1600 Meter Run 1 Garcia, Celso Alamogordo H 4:41.13 2 Rogers, Colton Silver High 4:55.34 3 Rios, Dax Centennial H 5:00.11 4 Avila, Angel Alamogordo H 5:11.95 5 Gagnon, Michael Alamogordo H 5:17.37 6 Hallbeck, Jack Alamogordo H 5:35.68 7 Ball, Evan Centennial H 5:45.60 8 Lara, Aaron Centennial H 5:50.40
Event 11 Girls 4×200 Meter Relay 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 1:50.76 1) Duchene, Kaelan 2) Sandoval, Gabi 3) Shaw, Haley 4) Thomas, Sydney 2 Las Cruces High School ‘A’ 1:59.63 1) Cylear, Katrina 2) Noopila, Maija 3) Reinhold, Delia 4) Sneed, Madison
Event 12 Boys 4×200 Meter Relay 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 1:36.34 1) Moser, Landon 2) Sell, Zack 3) Dalmas, Isaiah 4) Mediola, Napu 2 Deming High School ‘A’ 1:41.95 1) Villegas, Gabriel 2) Hofacket, Charlie 3) Baeza, Isaac 4) Ramirez, Cesar 3 Centennial High School ‘A’ 1:43.55 1) Bitar, Oscar 2) Lundien, Deven 3) Lara, Nathan 4) Mayers, Julian
Event 13 Girls 400 Meter Dash 1 Barrera, Isabella Las Cruces H 1:02.12 2 2 Reinhold, Alegra Las Cruces H 1:02.29 2 3 Walker, Gracie Alamogordo H 1:04.32 2 4 Neilson, Michaela Alamogordo H 1:04.42 2 5 Gunn, Devyn Centennial H 1:04.91 2 6 Gerou, Eva Alamogordo H 1:06.22 2 7 Esquero, Alyssa Alamogordo H 1:09.37 2 8 Navarette, Janessa Centennial H 1:11.20 1 9 Armendariz, Lauren Silver High 1:11.24 1 10 Miller, Zia Las Cruces H 1:13.25 1 11 Goff, Sailer Tularosa Hig 1:15.92 1 12 Amador, Catrianna Centennial H 1:22.12 1 13 Skinner, Hannah Silver High 1:27.40 1
Event 14 Boys 400 Meter Dash 1 Barraza, Ezequiel Alamogordo H 53.29 3 2 Au, Esau Deming High 53.75 3 3 Kepfer, Aiden Alamogordo H 54.51 2 4 Enriquez, Omar Alamogordo H 54.64 3 5 Reyna, Fabian Deming High 55.04 3 6 Fort, Craig Centennial H 55.21 2 7 Aguilar, Daniel Deming High 55.51 3 8 Bernal, Ivan Alamogordo H 55.92 2 9 Reyes, Isaiah Tularosa Hig 56.93 1 10 Ortega, Israel Tularosa Hig 57.13 3 11 Barraza, Matthew Tularosa Hig 57.67 1 12 Bryant, Ricky Tularosa Hig 58.26 2 13 Weir, Levi Las Cruces H 58.99 1 14 Ortiz, Christian Centennial H 59.26 2 15 Herrera, Marcus Centennial H 59.46 1 16 Sedor, Paul Centennial H 1:02.24 3
Event 15 Girls 300 Meter Hurdles 1 Duchene, Kaelan Alamogordo H 47.85 2 2 Sandoval, Gabi Alamogordo H 52.69 2 3 Castillo, Evelyn Alamogordo H 55.57 2 4 Harrison, Syella Centennial H 56.35 2 5 Leal, Ayanna Centennial H 57.43 2 6 Handley, Billie Las Cruces H 59.28 1 7 Woffard, Isabella Las Cruces H 1:03.26 1 8 Fillmore, Marie Alamogordo H 1:04.83 1
Event 16 Boys 300 Meter Hurdles 1 Kotter, Gabe Alamogordo H 42.14 2 2 Mcrae, Crystan Las Cruces H 43.61 2 3 Sell, Zack Alamogordo H 44.20 2 4 Mitchell, Aiden Centennial H 46.39 2 5 Baeza, Isaac Deming High 46.55 2 6 Hernandez, Daniel Centennial H 47.01 2 7 Sifuentes, JonHenry Alamogordo H 48.89 1 8 Sell, Matthew Alamogordo H 48.91 1 9 Madrid, Diego Silver High 50.79 1
Event 17 Girls 1600 Sprint Medley 1 Las Cruces High School ‘A’ 4:46.28 1) Reinhold, Alegra 2) Gutierrez, Linette 3) Romero, Miranda 4) 2 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 4:49.34 1) Riordan, Anna 2) Esquero, Alyssa 3) Koehler, Lynley 4) Soe, Saung
Event 18 Boys 1600 Sprint Medley 1 Las Cruces High School ‘A’ 3:49.03 1) Madrid, Richie 2) Lucero, Nicolas 3) Saiz, Zack 4) Hadley, Thomas 2 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 4:05.92 1) Dalmas, Isaiah 2) Enriquez, Omar 3) Holt, Wyatt 4) Bond, Thomas
Event 19 Girls 200 Meter Dash 1 Martin, Justyse Alamogordo H 26.03 3 2 Stinson, Yvonne Alamogordo H 26.12 3 3 Gunn, Devyn Centennial H 27.95 3 4 Walker, Gracie Alamogordo H 28.47 3 5 Alexander, Leih’Asiyah Silver High 28.60 3 6 Barrio, Audrey Centennial H 29.28 3 7 Ocampo, Lauren Centennial H 29.37 2 8 Misquez, Kaley Silver High 31.27 2 9 Duran, Hailey Tularosa Hig 31.41 2 10 Reinhold, Delia Las Cruces H 32.86 2 11 Goff, Sailer Tularosa Hig 33.59 2 12 Sedor, Khrystal Centennial H 34.68 1 13 Wooldridge, Emily Alamogordo H 35.41 1 14 Rojas, Alyssa Las Cruces H 41.13 1
Event 20 Boys 200 Meter Dash 1 Gilbert, Harlon Alamogordo H 22.76 4 2 Johnson, Derrik Las Cruces H 24.01 4 3 Reyna, Fabian Deming High 24.14 4 4 Abeyta, Isaiah Centennial H 25.01 1 5 Mediola, Napu Alamogordo H 25.24 4 6 Aguilar, Daniel Deming High 25.30 4 7 Parra, Jose Silver High 25.33 4 8 Villegas, Gabriel Deming High 25.79 3 9 Spencer, Klevon Alamogordo H 25.85 3 10 Chacon, Josiah Silver High 25.97 3 11 Diaz, Joe Silver High 26.41 3 12 Pierce, Mason Centennial H 26.47 1 13 Weir, Levi Las Cruces H 26.85 2 14 Rios, Joshua Silver High 28.31 2 15 Pollock, Chris Alamogordo H 29.79 1
Event 21 Girls 3200 Meter Run 1 Najar, Vanesa Alamogordo H 12:52.06 2 Santistevan, Kathleen Deming High 16:31.29
Event 22 Boys 3200 Meter Run 1 Rogers, Colton Silver High 10:44.12 2 Rios, Dax Centennial H 10:53.93 3 Winder, Ben Las Cruces H 10:55.89 4 Krizek, Matthew Las Cruces H 10:57.41 5 Avila, Angel Alamogordo H 11:58.69 6 Hallbeck, Jack Alamogordo H 12:16.45 7 Ball, Evan Centennial H 13:27.50
Event 23 Girls 4×400 Meter Relay 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 4:11.38 1) Adams, Rebecca 2) Stinson, Yvonne 3) Neilson, Michaela 4) Martin, Justyse 2 Centennial High School ‘A’ 4:37.26 1) Gunn, Devyn 2) Barrio, Audrey 3) Harrison, Syella 4) Hoyle, Deianira 3 Las Cruces High School ‘A’ 4:51.06
Event 24 Boys 4×400 Meter Relay 1 Alamogordo High School ‘A’ 3:30.86 1) Barraza, Ezequiel 2) Gilbert, Harlon 3) Kepfer, Aiden 4) Kotter, Gabe 2 Centennial High School ‘A’ 3:49.27 1) Fort, Craig 2) Sedor, Paul 3) Abeyta, Isaiah 4) Ortiz, Christian
Event 25 Girls Long Jump 1 Stinson, Yvonne Alamogordo H 16-02.00 2 Barrera, Isabella Las Cruces H 15-11.00 3 Duchene, Kaelan Alamogordo H 15-04.25 4 McCain, Jordan Silver High 14-02.75 5 Walker, Gracie Alamogordo H 13-10.50 5 Duran, Hailey Tularosa Hig 13-10.50 7 Barrio, Audrey Centennial H 13-02.50 8 Skinner, Hannah Silver High 11-04.00 9 Goff, Sailer Tularosa Hig 10-11.50
Event 26 Boys Long Jump 1 Moser, Landon Alamogordo H 19-05.00 2 Abeyta, Isaiah Centennial H 19-01.25 3 Ortega, Israel Tularosa Hig 18-05.25 4 Reyes, Isaiah Tularosa Hig 17-10.50 5 Hernandez, Daniel Centennial H 17-07.50 6 Mediola, Napu Alamogordo H 17-04.25 7 Bernal, Ivan Alamogordo H 16-11.50 8 Baeza, Isaac Deming High 16-08.50 9 Barraza, Matthew Tularosa Hig 16-07.00 10 Parra, Jose Silver High 16-06.50 11 Ocoha, Jesus Alamogordo H 16-03.00 12 Chacon, Josiah Silver High 16-02.00 13 Vasquez, Ricky Silver High 16-00.00 14 Madrid, Diego Silver High 15-06.00 15 Hofacket, Charlie Deming High 14-11.25 16 Bitar, Oscar Centennial H 13-06.75
Event 27 Girls Triple Jump 1 Esquero, Alyssa Alamogordo H 33-10.00 2 Harrison, Syella Centennial H 30-10.50 3 Riordan, Anna Alamogordo H 29-09.00 4 Koehler, Lynley Alamogordo H 29-05.25 5 Neilson, Michaela Alamogordo H 28-09.50
Event 28 Boys Triple Jump 1 Gilbert, Harlon Alamogordo H 42-09.50 2 Garcia, Celso Alamogordo H 38-00.00 3 Herrera, Marcus Centennial H 34-04.25 4 Holt, Wyatt Alamogordo H 34-04.00 5 Lara, Nathan Centennial H 33-02.00 6 Umphress, Jonathan Centennial H 32-01.00 7 Hofacket, Charlie Deming High 31-07.00
Event 29 Girls High Jump 1 Stinson, Yvonne Alamogordo H 4-10.00 2 Castillo, Evelyn Alamogordo H 4-08.00 3 Navarette, Janessa Centennial H 4-04.00 3 Soe, Saung Alamogordo H 4-04.00 3 Amador, Catrianna Centennial H 4-04.00 3 Duran, Hailey Tularosa Hig 4-04.00
Event 30 Boys High Jump 1 Sell, Zack Alamogordo H 5-10.00 2 Kotter, Gabe Alamogordo H 5-08.00 3 Spencer, Klevon Alamogordo H J5-08.00 4 Ramirez, Cesar Deming High J5-08.00 5 Hofacket, Charlie Deming High 5-02.00
Event 31 Girls Pole Vault 1 Gerou, Eva Alamogordo H 8-09.00 2 Contreras, Nikki Las Cruces H 8-03.00 3 Bates, Trezure Alamogordo H 6-09.00 4 Moore, Victoria Centennial H 5-09.00
Event 32 Boys Pole Vault 1 Whitelock, Paul Centennial H 10-09.00 2 Hamilton, Chris Las Cruces H 10-03.00 3 Marquez, Joey Alamogordo H 9-09.00
Event 33 Girls Discus Throw 1 Marquez, Macy Alamogordo H 118-01 2 Ocampo, Lauren Centennial H 113-08 3 Leal, Ayanna Centennial H 93-04 4 Pili, Aveolela Centennial H 87-10 5 Salas, Alexys Silver High 82-11 6 Gaston, Layla Tularosa Hig 82-05 7 Vela, Prisila Las Cruces H 78-03 8 Baca, Victoria Deming High 73-04 9 Flourney, Liz Deming High 67-11 10 Salopek, Shaylie Las Cruces H 62-08 11 Pattinson, Maliah Alamogordo H 58-03 12 Kennedy, Kayelee Alamogordo H 54-04
Event 34 Boys Discus Throw 1 Gunn, Jayden Centennial H 141-11 2 LoCoco, Kaden Alamogordo H 137-10 3 Kennedy, Christian Alamogordo H 130-05 4 Ortiz, Ian Deming High 116-09 5 Coyazo, Daniel Alamogordo H 109-07 6 RamIrez, Marcos Deming High 101-00 7 Coyazo, Aiden Alamogordo H 93-01 8 Lewis, Dominic Centennial H 92-10 9 Ortiz, Brandon Silver High 91-00 10 Washam, Dalton Centennial H 83-09 11 Fresquez, Joshua Centennial H 78-10 12 Ellis, Alexander Silver High 73-04 13 Begay, Dace Silver High 66-11
Event 35 Girls Javelin Throw 1 Ocampo, Lauren Centennial H 121-08 2 Lessentine, Sierra Alamogordo H 109-01 3 Torres, Ariana Alamogordo H 102-04 4 Pili, Aveolela Centennial H 99-05 5 Martinez, Makayla Silver High 94-08 6 Sneed, Madison Las Cruces H 80-00 7 Lina, Jayden Las Cruces H 78-02 8 Gaston, Layla Tularosa Hig 74-02 9 Skinner, Hannah Silver High 66-08 10 Flourney, Liz Deming High 62-06 11 Baca, Victoria Deming High 58-07
Event 36 Boys Javelin Throw 1 Bowen, Jimmy Alamogordo H 142-06 2 Ortiz, Ian Deming High 120-00 3 Anthony, Connor Alamogordo H 98-07 4 Cruz, Joaquin Alamogordo H 96-10 5 Fresquez, Joshua Centennial H 94-00 6 RamIrez, Marcos Deming High 92-03 7 Washam, Dalton Centennial H 86-05
Event 37 Girls Shot Put 1 Pili, Aveolela Centennial H 35-03.00 2 Marquez, Macy Alamogordo H 30-10.00 3 Salas, Alexys Silver High 29-07.00 4 Vela, Prisila Las Cruces H 28-05.00 5 Baca, Victoria Deming High 27-01.00 6 Flourney, Liz Deming High 25-11.00 7 Parraz, Teresa Las Cruces H 23-06.00 8 Pattinson, Maliah Alamogordo H 19-01.00
Event 38 Boys Shot Put 1 LoCoco, Kaden Alamogordo H 45-02.00 2 Gunn, Jayden Centennial H 44-02.00 3 Cruz, Joaquin Alamogordo H 40-08.00 4 Kennedy, Christian Alamogordo H 39-01.00 5 Ortiz, Ian Deming High 38-06.00 6 Coyazo, Daniel Alamogordo H 37-00.00 7 Lewis, Dominic Centennial H 36-06.00 8 Ellis, Alexander Silver High 35-03.00 9 Ortiz, Brandon Silver High 33-00.00 10 Washam, Dalton Centennial H 32-11.00 11 Fresquez, Joshua Centennial H 32-07.00 12 Ramirez, Marcos Deming High 29-07.00 13 Begay, Dace Silver High 29-04.00 14 Bennett, Anthony Deming High 27-00.00
Congratulations to all the student athletes from all 6 schools that participated in this odd post Covid-19 Season. Next week the Alamogordo boys will compete at the Gadsden Meet on Friday, Tularosa will compete at District 3-2A Meet at Cloudcroft next Friday.
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A Look Back at the 1973 Alamogordo Tigers Track and Field Team brings us to the first of many track and field state trophies to be awarded to Alamogordo High School under the leadership of Coach Bob Sepulveda who led the team from the late 60’s to the mid 90’s. Under his leadership the track and field team won 5 state title, 4 in a row in the mid 90’s and countless 2nd, and 3rd place state trophies as well as district titles. 1973 was a defining year in the path upward for Alamogordo High Track and Field.
The 1973 Alamogordo Tiger Track and Field felt the pressure of District Wins each of the 3 preceding years. From a team of only 13 just 3 years ago, the 1973 squad consisted of 32 team members.
(Photo above 1973 Alamogordo High Track and Field Team Fieldsmen L-R: Norman Avila, Terry Rich, Bob Tuttle. Backrow: Ron Gourley, Steve Fredrick, Carl Hutchison, David Burch & Tim McMurry.)
Photo Above 1973 Alamogordo High Track and Field Team Sprinters front row: Will Henley, Paul Najera, Ken Washington, David Finley. Back row: Dale Norman, Dennis Baca, Larry Vorquez, Pat Telles, Jim Sanders. Third Row: Joe Wright, Scott Hutt and Chuck Wood.
Photo Above: 1973 Alamogordo High Track & Field Distance Runners front row: David Dunlop, Russell Golightly, Tom Woolworth, Brad Person, Charles Racoosin. Second row: David Sanchez, Steven Garcia, Terry McLean, Eddy Garcia, Robert Golightly and Ken Burns.
Photo in story above Coach Bob Sepulveda in 1973 with the stopwatch checking his teams times. His saying prevails today, “the stopwatch never lies, run, run, run”
The Alamogordo Tiger Boy’s took several medals at the White Sands Rolla Buck Invitational Meet of 1973. At that time girls did not participate in interscholastic sports but all of that was in the process of changing as GAA was phasing out and interscholastic sports for girls would begin the next year via title IX at Alamogordo High.
Alamogordo Boy’s who placed at the 1973 Rolla Buck White Sands Invitational Sponsored by the Lions Club included:
Terry Rich, 3rd Place Pole Vault
Chuck Wood, 1st Place, 220 Yard Dash
Dale Norman, 2nd Place 120 High Hurdles
o 3rd Place Low Hurdles
Will Henley, 2nd Place, 100 Yard Dash
o 2nd Place, 220 Dash
Robert Golightly, 3rd Place, Mile Run
Steve Frederick, 3rd Place, Shot Put
Mark Taylor, 2nd Place, 440 Yard Dash
Scott Hutt, 3rd Place, 880 Run
Art Keller, Ken Washington, Chuck Wood, Jimmy Sanders, 4th Place, Medley Relay
School records were established in the mile relay and the 180- yard low hurdles Saturday during the White Sands Relays sponsored by the Tiger Track Team and the Evening Lions Club of 1973.
Art Keller flashed over the hurdles in 19.6 in the preliminaries and went on to win the event and he was named the “Outstanding Athlete” for the Relays.
The Tiger mile relay team ripped off that distance in 3.24.7 to break the school record set by Bowie in 1972 during the Relays when they ran it in 3.26.2. Relay team members were Ken Washington, Dennis Baca, Mark Taylor and Jimmy Sanders.
The Tiger 440 Relay Team took first when they ran it in 43.6 Art Keller, Ken Washington, Chuck Wood and Jimmy Sanders were on the team. Keller also took first in the 100- yard dash. Chuck Wood took 1st in the 220 dash. Jimmy Sanders took 1st in the 440 dash. Carl Hutchison tied for1st in the High Jump. Steve Frederickson took 1st in the discus. Robert Golightly placed 1st in the two-mile run….
Meet results showed the Tigers with a team 1st place win with a final total of 112 ½ Bowie came in 2nd at 46 ½ and Cobre came in 3rd with a 41 ½.
The District Title in 1973 went again to the Alamogordo Tigers for a 4th consecutive year in a row. The local paper of the time the Alamogordo Daily News Reported:
1972/73 District Track & Field Results May 6th, 1973 Headline Alamogordo Sports Section…”Thinclads Get 135 Points to Cop 4th District Win”
“Tiger Thinclads walked… or ran… jumped or threw further and faster than anyone else in the district 3AAAA at Las Cruces on Saturday, to take their 4th District Win in a row under Coach Bob Sepulveda. 12 of the Tigers placed 1st Place in the meet competitions as the Tigers Topped 135 points for a 1st Place finish. Mayfield scored 94 points for a 2nd Place Finish and Las Cruces scored 75 points for a 3rd Place Finish.”
1973 Alamogordo High School Boys Track and Field District Medalist included:
Carl Hutchison, 1st Place, High Jump
Steve Frederick, 1st Place, Discus
1st Place, 440 Relay Team
2nd Place, Shot Put
Art Keller, 1st Place, 100 Yard Dash
o 1st Place, 880 Relay Team
o 1st Place, Mile Relay Team
o 2nd Place,120 Low Hurdles
Jimmy Sanders, 1st Place, 440 Relay Team
Larry Vazquez , 1st Place, Mile Relay Team
Dale Norman, 1st Place, High Hurdles
o 1st Place, Low Hurdles
Mark Taylor, 2nd Place, 440
Scott Hutt, 1st Place ,880
Chuck Wood, 1st Place220
o 2nd Place, High Hurdles
Robert Golightly, 1st Place, 2Mile
o 2nd Place, 1 Mile
Dennis Baca, 2nd Place,220
o 5th Place, 120 High Hurdles
Brad Pierson, 2nd Place, 2 Mile
Charlie Racoosin, 4th Place, 2Mile
Art Keller, Ken Washington, Chuck Wood, Jimmy Sanders, 3rd Place, Medley Relay
Will Henley, 3rd Place,220
o 4th Place, 100 Yard Dash
Terry McClean, 5th Place, Mile
Terry Rich, 5th Place, Pole Vault
13 Tigers qualified to attend the state meet in Albuquerque May 11th and 12th, 1973.
May 12th, 1973 is a day that will live in the memories of most of the class of 1973 as that is the day the Boys brought home a state trophy. The headlines across the state raged on about the upset and surprise that Alamogordo pulled off a 2nd place showing at the state level.
“The Alamogordo Tiger Thinclads surprised most of the track experts when they pulled into the 2nd Place position during
the State Track Meet to capture a big trophy at Albuquerque”
Photo Above 1973 2nd Place State Track and Field Trophy and Winning Team: Back L-R: Coach Dick Strong, Coach Jack Geron, Dale Norman, Steve Frederick, Carl Hutchison, Jimmy Sanders, Scott Hutt, Mark Taylor, Coach Jack Narrell, Head Coach Bob Sepulveda. Front L-R: Manager Pat McMurry, Art Keller, Robert Golightly, Brad Pierson, Dennis Baca, Ken Washington and Chuck Wood. (Photo Courtesy Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early Days Book 1- Alamogordo News 5/17/73)
Defending State Champion Hobbs took an early lead and placed 1st to win the state. Alamogordo Tigers placed second in the state meet with 48 points followed by Carlsbad in 3rd place and Clovis closing out with a 4th place win.
Individual State Medalist for the 1973 State Track Meet from the Alamogordo Tiger’s Track and Field Team included:
Steve Fredericks, 1st Place, Discus, 159’10”
Robert Golightly, 1st Place, 2 Mile Run ,10.31.1
Ken Washington, Larry Vazquez , Mark Taylor & Jimmy Sanders 1st Place, Mile Relay, 3.25.4
Jimmy Sanders, 3rd Place, 440,49.8
Dale Norman, 5th Place, 180 Low Hurdles, 21.3
Art Keller, Ken Washington, Chuck Wood, Jimmy Sanders, 3rd Place, 440 Relay, 48.4
Scott Hutt, 4th Place, 880,2.00
Chuck Wood, 3rd Place, 220, 22.6
o 5th Place, 100, 10.2
Carl Hutchison, 3rd Place, High Jump, 6’.0
Art Keller, 4th Place, 100,10.1
(Photo Above Art Keller Team Member 1973 Track & Field State Medalist Alamogordo Tiger Track Team of 1973.)
(Photo Above Jimmy Sanders at the New Mexico State Track Meet Placing 1st in the 1 Mile Relay with team members Ken Washington, Larry Vazquez and Mark Taylor. (Photo courtesy Coach Bob Sepulveda Collection)
Alamogordo High School Girls competed in the state GAA event that same weekend. 59 Girls attended the 6th annual GAA track meet representing Alamogordo. Seventh to Twelfth graders took part in three classes: Senior, Junior and Intermediate. 31 Junior High, 21 Mid High and 7 High School girls entered.
The Alamogordo Girls took 2nd in the Senior High level, 3rd in the Junior Division and 3rd in the Intermediate Division.
The coaches were Marilyn Sepulveda, Fran Stirman and Helen Reed.
Source and certain Excerpts from Alamogordo News referenced in Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early Days Book 1 from 1973 Available Locally at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue Alamogordo, Tularosa Basin Historical Society on White Sands Blvd, and on Amazon in 36 Countries.
Alamogordo has a long history of golf success dating back to the 1960’s under coach Billy Aldridge. To learn more and to hear coach Billy Aldridge’s story check our story archives or listen to our podcast on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RNff9f7XPuS6pMcZJBb4l
the New Mexico Activities association offered State Tournaments in Golf for boys beginning in 1933. The first Boy in the state of New Mexico to win a State Golf Title was Ralph Petty of Carrizozo in 1933.
Alamogordo High School Boys Golf program began to gain some tracking in the 50’s was was not recognized as truly competitive until the 1960s and 1970s under the leadership of Billy Aldridge. He was credited with creating a legitimate program that was a model high schools and community colleges around the country. The Alamogordo Boys Golf program has won 3 state titles and 4 individuals titles in the boys division since inception.
State Individual Boys Title holders include:
1966 AA Bruce McKenzie
1971 AAAA Brad Bryant
1973 AAAA Brad Bryant
2008 AAAAA Jeffery O’Dell with scores of 76-73 total 149
State Boys Gold Team Titles were won in:
1965 AA Alamogordo Coach Bill Aldridge
1971 AAAA Alamogordo Coach Bill Aldridge
1972 AAAA Alamogordo Coach Bill Aldridge
Girls Golf was not sanctioned as an interscholastic sport until 1973. The first girl to wine a state title was Nancy Romero of Socorro in 1973.
State Individual Girls Title holders include:
1995 AAAA Dianne Overstreet
1999 AAAA Tiada Lane with a total score of 160
2003 AAAAA Destini Esquero with scores of 78-78 totaling156
2011 AAAAA Kacey Dalpes with score of 79-77 totaling 156
AAAAA Kacey Dalpes with a score of 69-76 totaling 145
State Boys Girls Team Titles were won in:
1996 AAAA Alamogordo Coach Scott Summers
2001 AAAAA Alamogordo Coach Tommy Standefer
2002 AAAAA Alamogordo Coach Tommy Standefer
2003 AAAAA Alamogordo Tommy Standefer
Coach Tommy Standefer won 3 girls golf state titles in a row between 2001 and 2003. Coach Standefer has coached for Alamogordo for almost 28 years and is still coaching and assisted by Coach Billy Hays. The Alamogordo Girls have attended a state tournament 28 times in the last 30 years. Fifteen times, the girls have finished with a trophy, either first, second or third, at state a record to be very proud of.
The Alamogordo Golf Teams most recent play was Wednesday at the Chaparral Invitational.
The Alamogordo Boys finished 2nd at Chaparral on Wednesday.
Boys Tyler Cullers – 82
Michael Overstreet – 92
Bradley McMillen – 92
Colin Silva – 93
Marco Terrazas – 100
In Girls Golf competition the girls did not have a complete team at Chaparral.
Sophia Fredrick – 100
Chloe Johnston – 110
Kylie Rideout – 133
Both teams next compete at Deming Tournament May 7th, 2021.
Chris Edwards Author, Mentor/Executive Coach & Political Consultant 