5 Time State & 19 Time District Champion, Coach Bob Sepulveda & Coach Gary Hveem the Golden Years Book 2 Release Party & Art Show
September 4, 6 pm to 8 pm Roadrunner Emporium Fine Art Gallery
928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico 88310
Alamogordo New Mexico: 2nd Life Media Company Inc. today announces the pre-release on Amazon.com with a book signing and art showat Roadrunner Emporium, Alamogordo, Saturday September 4th 6 pm to 8 pm.
The reception and book launch at Roadrunner Emporium Fine Art, Antiques and More will also showcase the works of southern New Mexico artists Delia Lopez Holloway, Marty Torres, the sculptured tree trunk artwork creations of Artist Rene Sepulveda and over 45 partners displaying their artistic creations to the public. This open house from 6 to 8 will feature live music, light appetizers and is a meet the local artists events.
About the Book Series:
Book 2 is of the 4 part series of books on Coaches Robert & Marilyn Sepulveda and the influence of Coach Gary Hveem on the Alamogordo High School Athletics program.
Book one titled Coach Robert (Bob) Louis Sepulveda: The Early Years released last year to critical acclaim.
Co-written by authors; Chris Edwards & Rene Sepulveda, book one of the series begins with the Alamogordo, New Mexico athletic program of 1916 progressing through today. The focus is on the track & field and its paths that crossed into interscholastic football and cross country. The series is a comprehensive history that tells the stories of the many personalities from 1916 to 1996 that influenced New Mexico and national interscholastic, collegiate, and pro sports including the NFL; in Track and Field, Cross Country, High School Football and beyond.
The book series takes on issues of the launch of national interscholastic sports standards, school sports integration, Girl’s Title IX implementation, the politics of high school football athletics and more.
The series contains the records of 100s of young athletes, rich in dialog and interviews with athletes, coaches, and more. The series factoids highlight successes and failures of some great athletes & coaches, plus history lessons related to athletics. The central characters in the book are Coaches, Bob and Marilyn Sepulveda, paired with a variety of characters that played a role in the program success of the Alamogordo, New Mexico Track and Field, Cross Country & Football programs over 9 decades.
Coach Bob Sepulveda, New Mexico Coach of the Year for boy’s track; 1982, 1991 and 1996. Received the NHSACA Region 8 Coach of the Year in 1982, 1991 and 1996, Section 6 Coach of the Year in 1991 and 1996. Along with his wife Marilyn, both, received the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Level IV Coaching Milestone ring in 1989. He and his wife Marilyn were inducted into the Alamogordo Tiger Hall of Fame in 1988.
“Coach Bob Sepulveda is just a good, hard-working coach and a good responsible person who cared about the kids in his charge. That for anyone who’s paying attention, is all the message that’s necessary”, per a Commentary in the Albuquerque Journal by Rick Wright titled Message There for Those who Watch, Listen,Friday May 13, 1994
About the Artists & Roadrunner Emporium
Roadrunner Emporium showcases the works of southern New Mexico artists Delia Lopez Holloway, Marty Torres, the sculptured tree trunk artwork creations of Artist Rene Sepulveda and over 45 partners displaying their artistic creations from painting and sculptures to embroidery, needlepoint, hand woven designs, Native American arts and more. This event is open to the public showcasing local Southern New Mexico artistic talent.
This open house from 6 to 8 will feature live music, light appetizers and is a meet the local artists event Roadrunner Emporium Fine Art, Antiques & More, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo New Mexico. Open daily 10 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays.
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 –>
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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The year as 1977 and the Alamogordo Girls Track and Field Team continued to show the state they were a team to take serious as they captured the 3AAAA district crown as the top team in the district. The Tigers earned 134 points placing 1st with Mayfield at 122 points in 2nd place and Las Cruces in 3rd place with 104 points.
Ruthie Fatheree collected a total of 33 points to pace Alamogordo’s effort for a victory.
Susan Lee, 4th Place 100 Yard Dash, 11.8 (state qualified)
Karen Guerrero, 4th Place, 440 Yard Dash, 63.4
Delinder Compton, 4th Place, 440 Yard Dash, 65.4
Angela Holloway, 4th Place, Shot Put, 34’ 5”
Janet Haug, 6th Place, 440 Yard Dash 65.9
Lisa Busick, 6th Place, Mile Run, 6:14.0
Coming off the district meet 10 girls qualified for state in 11 events. Ruthie Fatheree led the team in 5 events at the state meet. Susan Lee and Vicki Lee also feel the team pressure as both are competing in 7 events.
Albuquerque Manzano wins top team honors in girls AAAA Track & Field for the 1977 season. Alamogordo Girls placed 6th at the state meet.
Medalist at the state meet included:
Vicki Lee, Susan Lee, Debbie Salcido, Fatheree, 2nd, Place 440 Relay, 50.30
Vicki Lee, 5th Place, 100 Yard Dash, 11.38
Ruthie Fatheree, 6th Place, 50 Yard Dash, 6.26
4th Place, 220, 26.45
Carmen Smith, 2nd Place, Shot Put, 40.3
Susan Lee, Fatheree, Salcido and Donna Scroggins, 3rd Place, 880 Relay, 1:47.5
Kim Campbell, 4th Place, Long Jump, 16’ 2 ¼
The 1977 Athletics season seemed to be coalescing with the coaches working more closely together under a new football coach now in full force that being coach Gary Hveem. At Alamogordo High School in 1977 both the girl and boy student athletes began working closer together.
Cross Country, Track & Field, Golf and Tennis had boys and girls training together and sharing coaching staffs. Girls Track under the leadership of Head Coach Marilyn Sepulveda was assisted by Kay Morgan and Joe Bryant and beginning to garner attention from around the state. In the years to come many great things would be seen based on this solid foundation of excellence.
Most athletic programs were growing at Alamogordo High in 1977, but the result of Title IX and expanded girls athletics, the decision was made to cut the wrestling program to ensure all other programs were funded appropriately and all students had the opportunity to compete.
The 1977 school year also saw the return of Lawrence Johnson from a former star athlete and student to a teacher and coach who assisted the boys and girls track programs. As outlined in book one in the series he had an amazing career at Alamogordo, became a guidance counselor who assisted hundreds of students and ultimately became the Athletic Director in future years.
Lawrence Johnson was born July 15, 1949 in Dallas, Texas, to Rubin Lee and Susie Mae Johnson. His nickname was Slick and was famous with his student athletes for his sunglasses. He graduated from Alamogordo High School in 1969. He was an athlete under Coach Sepulveda and others. He was a district track and field champion in broad jump.
He went to college at Western New Mexico University in Silver City where he earned his bachelor’s in 1972 and master’s degree in 1975.
“I graduated from high school here in Alamogordo in 1968 and went off to college, I came back in 1972 and I got a job,” Johnson said in a 2014 Daily News article about his retirement. “I started teaching physical education and social studies at the middle school and I just continued from there. I really enjoyed teaching the kids, I also enjoyed coaching. I started the learning process at that time and I really enjoyed myself.”
He served 42 years at Alamogordo as a coach, teacher, guidance counselor and athletic director.
In 1982, Johnson began working at Alamogordo High School as a track and boys basketball coach, which he did for five years after prior experience as the JV Basketball Coach and Coach at the Middle High. He aided Coach Sepulveda from the beginning of his tenure with the Alamogordo school systems and throughout his career.
He also served as a guidance counselor for six years. Johnson became the assistant athletic director at AHS in 1993, the following year he became the athletic director. Johnson served as athletic director at AHS for 21 years, the longest tenured Athletic director in the school’s history.
He served on the New Mexico High School Coaches Association Board of Directors. In addition, Johnson was a member of the New Mexico Athletic Directors Association, (NMADA) board for 20 years. From 1998 to 1999, New Mexico Athletic Directors Association (NMADA) board for 20 years. From 1998 to 1999, he was president of NMADA.
In 2017, Johnson was honored with the Distinguished Service award from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). He was one of 11 educators nationwide to receive the award.
In 1972, Johnson began working at Alamogordo High School as a track and boys basketball coach, which he did for five years after prior experience as the JV Basketball Coach and Coach at the Middle High. He aided Coach Sepulveda from the beginning of his tenure with the Alamogordo school systems.
Alamogordo School Board members unanimously approved the renaming of the Tiger Pit sports complex at Alamogordo High School to honor Lawrence E. Johnson for his many years of contribution to the community and the thousands of students and athletes he positively affected as a mentor and role model. His legacy continues in that facility today…
Excerpted from Coach Bob Sepulveda The Early Daysa joint collaboration of Author Chris Edwards and Artist Rene Sepulveda, available at Roadrunner Emporium, 928 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, New Mexico and onAmazon in 36 countries. Soon to be released, Coach Bob Sepulveda The Golden Years 1977 to 1995soon to be released on Amazon and fine independent bookstores everywhere.
In the 1960’s, Alamogordo High School ranked in the top 10 in the nation and attracted teachers from around the nation. According to US News and World Report School rankings the school now ranks #40 in New Mexico High Schools and 6754 in national rankings. In school districts around the nation with problems, youth are stepping into leadership roles within school boards, with fresh ideas and insights and making a difference in challenging the status quo and making change.
Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.” That is the mantra of Anthony X. Vigil the 19-year-old elected school board president of Mesa Vista Consolidated School District in New Mexico. This quote seems to be a similar mantra for several other young people from a diverse spectrum of cultures who are grabbing ahold of American Democracy, and not only participating, but seeking elected office and winning at the level of school board.
There are those in life that complain about the political system and the world around us, and then there are those that do something about it. Age does not determine one’s ability to have a positive impact and to make a difference in the world. One’s ability to go after a goal, and get it done, is what determines success, no matter age or experience.
Photo of Anthony X. Vigil Swearing in to School Board Mesa Vista Consolidated School District in New Mexico. (Photo Courtesy of Mesa Vista Consolidated School District, Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
Anthony X. Vigil was a graduate of Mesa Vista High School in 2019, he was elected to the Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools’ Board of Education on November 5, 2019. Anthony ran for the school board to give the students, who are his contemporaries, a voice. He knows that since students are directly impacted by district shortfalls, they may be able to offer valuable outside-the-box solutions. At age 19 he would be one of the youngest elected school board leaders in the nation, and one of the youngest in the nation at age 19 to be named as the school board president.
Anthony X. Vigil appears to be one of several young student activists, turned candidate being elected as representatives of their school system. There is a trend toward student activism and entering politics at a young age. The school board appears to be an excellent entry point for these young citizens to enter the profession of politics.
A trend toward diversity and youth…
Photo of Kelly Gonez (Photo Courtesy Los Angeles Unified School District Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
In 2020 the nation’s second largest school system in the US, the Los Angeles Consolidated School system, elected its youngest school board president ever at age 32. Kelly Gonez became the youngest-ever female president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Gonez, 32, was also the first of the millennial generation and one of only four women of color and one of three Latinas to lead the board that sets policy for the nation’s second-largest school district, which serves a student population that is currently 80% Latino or Black, according to LAUSD officials. Kelly Gonez, 32, is the only parent on the school board with young children, and she grew up in an immigrant family in the district she now represents, encompassing much of the East San Fernando Valley.
But the trend is showing an interest of those even younger getting involved and making a difference…
Photo of Bushra Amiwala, the youngest elected Muslim official in the United States. (Courtesy Busha Amiwala twitter Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
Meet Bushra Amiwala, she is the youngest elected Muslim officeholder in the United States. Amiwala’s age and status as the youngest elected Muslim official and the only one wearing a hijab in the state of Illinois have brought her fame not normally associated with being elected to a school board. Among the diverse membership of the Skokie School District Board of Education, Bushra Amiwala stands out. She is also a former student in the school district and is featured in a Hulu documentary, “Our America: Women Forward,” which began streaming this March 2021. She is up for re-election to the school board in April 2023 but openly admits she is keeping her eye on other potential offices.
Photo of Ty’Relle Stephens (Photo Courtesy of Channel 10 WJAR Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
Out of the ashes of the Rhode Island state takeover of the Providence Public School system, comes a fresh voice. The city’s youngest school board member ever. Meet 20-year-old Ty’Relle Stephens, one of the newest, and the youngest ever Providence School Board member, sworn it at City Hall Wednesday. Stephens started his freshman year at the Juanita Sanchez Education Complex on Thurbers Avenue in South Providence in 2015, getting the lay of the land. Stephens says the voices of the students who have gone through the failed school system are invaluable to fixing what is broken. His plate is full working full-time at Kent Hospital in patient access, and now Providence School Board member, but he is up to the challenge. When asked if he would like to advance in the profession of politics. He leaves that answer to his supporters that believe he has a strong future ahead of him.
Photo of Musab Ali. (Photo Courtesy of NJ.com Alamogordo Town News, 2nd Life Media)
Mussab Ali, 23, became the youngest trustee to ever to named Board of Education President following a 5-2 vote during the board’s reorganization meeting for Jersey City, New Jersey’s Board of Education, earlier this year. He is the youngest trustee and is its new president for 2021. Ali, a law student at Harvard University, won his first year-long term on the school board in 2017 and was later re-elected to three-year term. He is the youngest person ever elected to the nine-member Jersey City school board and the youngest elected official ever in Jersey City. In 2018, Ali was accepted into a prestigious master’s degree program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The board’s counsel approved Ali’s request to continue serving on the board while studying in China. Ali, a 2015 graduate of McNair Academic, was one of 147 people chosen for the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University. He studied biology and economics at Rutgers University-Newark.
And back to New Mexico, where we began this article, we have the youngest school board president in the state and quite possibly the US, Anthony X. Vigil, age 19. At age 19 he is making an impact on his district in leading it based upon his high school experience. We reached out to Mr. Vigil and asked him about how he got his start in the political process in New Mexico and he responded, “I attended board meetings since I was in middle school and since then I knew I wanted to become a part of the board. Shortly after my first board meeting, I acknowledged my passion to make a real change in society. I always had a strong support system and am compelled to create more opportunities for the generation to follow. The year I graduated was an election year and I didn’t want to waste any time on creating a better tomorrow.”
We mentioned a few of the other young leaders referenced above and asked if he felt participation and leadership by younger adults was becoming a trend and what was the catalyst for that trend? We also asked if he considered himself liberal or conservative in his political leanings. His response, “I believe there is a combination of factors leading to the up-tick in the younger generation running for elected positions. I think more and more people are realizing that age is not a barrier and young people offer outside-the-box solutions to world-wide challenges. I am thrilled to see younger people becoming involved in the democratic process. Whereas I am more liberal, I firmly believe educational growth should be a bipartisan consensus. After all, education yields innovation across all industries.”
We would happen to agree with Mr. Vigil wholeheartedly. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of New Mexico. Additionally, Mr. Vigil is an intern with the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Engineering Services Division. Before joining the National Labs, he served as an intern Medical Assistant at Las Clinicas del Norte, a non-profit health center which serves the local community. In high school, he led several student organizations and was a runner for the 2015 and 2016 cross country state championship teams. In 2019, he was part of the state championship medley relay team for track and field.
Under his leadership as the president of the board of education he is championing those issues that are important to the students and partnering with leaders in the state to make that happen. As a former track and field and cross-country athlete he knows that a well-maintained track is critical to a team’s success. As such he and the board have partnered to get capital funds from the state of New Mexico to assist in getting much needed track maintenance done at his former high school. In partnership with New Mexico State Senator Leo Jaramillo, $75,000 in capital outlay funds were secured for a new track and field.
The money comes from Capital Outlay funds. School Board President Anthony Vigil says the track needs repaving, and the field needs new grass. “We will be redoing the track and making those repairs so that way it can be used to host track meets,” Vigil said. Vigil says they hope to have the work completed by the next track season.
Anthony X. Vigil, age 19 of New Mexico; Ty’Relle Stephens, age 20 of Rhode Island; Bushra Amiwala, age 22 of Illinois; Mussab Ali, 23 of New Jersey; Kelly Gonez, age 32 of California each represent true diversity and action. Each is of a diverse generation of young, aggressive and determined individuals that respect the teaching of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, team activities and active participation in the system of civics. Each represents a diverse collection of ideas from a broad section of our country representing school districts large and small. Through their actions and their rise into political power they demonstrate as a truth, Mark Twain’s quote, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
Getting started they have done indeed! We will be watching each of these youthful young adults as their careers move forward over the decades ahead. Inspired we are, in their youthful approach to stepping up, acting and owning the future by offering solutions by their personal actions today.
As we conclude, we wonder, are there any inspired youthful leaders in Southern New Mexico, and more directly in Ortero County or in Alamogordo, ready to take on the challenge and the example set by these youthful leaders? Alamogordo, who is the next generation of leaders ready to step forward today?
KRQE NEWS, ABC 7 News Los Angeles, Los Angele’s Unified School System, The Hudson County View, www, NJ.com, Baca, Stacey (2021-03-09). “Skokie’s Bushra Amiwala is the youngest Muslim elected official in US”. ABC7 Chicago, Wikipedia, Providence Schools, Mesa Vista Consolidated Schools, Alamogordo Public Schools, US New & World Report
Chris Edwards Author, Mentor/Executive Coach & Political Consultant 