Led by victorious senior Jose DeHerrera, Pecos ran off with boy’s team honors at the annual Ron Valdez Memorial Invitational.

Panthers took the first four places. Penasco wins girl’s team honors behind first place run turned in by sophomore Carly Gonzales

By ARNIE LESHIN, Santa Fe Today

The only one that was missing was Pecos High graduate Sal Gonzales, who coached the Panthers before becoming boy’s cross country coach at Rio Rancho High.

And his name comes into play when the annual Ron Valdez Memorial Invitational is run, for the late Valdez was head coach when Gonzales ran for Pecos.

Once again, the meet is held in memory of Valdez, with the Pecos boys getting a first place from senior Jose DeHerrera and four teammates followed him with the second, third, fourth and sixth finishers as the defending state 3A champions ran off with the team title at its track Saturday.

DeHerrera turned in a time of 16:57.42. He was also a starter with the Panthers’ state basketball champions.

Right behind was senior Michael Montano in 17:15.48, next came sophomore Isaiah Armijo in 17:22.72, fourth was junior Angel Varela-Gomez clocked in 17:37.65, and the No. 5 runner, junior Devin Gonzales, took sixth in 18:02.26, to compete the 16 points.

As for Sal Gonzales, he coached Pecos to a state XC championship, and has done the same at Rio Rancho High.

The girl’s team honors went to Penasco with 35 points, with Academy of Technology And the Classics next with 39, and then came Pecos with 46 points.

Penasco sophomore Carly Gonzales was the winner in 21:04.97, finishing ahead of the ATC freshman combo of Maggie Rittmeyer (21:42.90) and Kate Ferguson (21:43.95). Fourth went to Pecos 8th grader Vanessa Dominguez (22:31.43), and next came Penasco 8th grader Mariela McAuley (21:57.10) and 8th grade teammate Maricela Tafoya (22:31.43).

After that came Pecos junior Faith Flores in 22:42.50 and Panthers senior Mone Mondragon in 22:51.01. Completing the top 10 was ATC 8th grader Josette Gurule in 23:05.78, and freshman teammate Kamyrn Hoehne racing 23:11.84.

These three schools were far ahead of the other six entries, although Cuba had only two runners and Maxwell only one in the field of 64.

Pecos’ boys were well ahead of the others in the field of 88. The runner-up was Cuba scoring 58, and the others ranged from 176 to 227. All eight had complete lineups.

It was another solid performance by Pecos head coach Patrick Ortiz’ team. Taking 11th was Panthers’ senior Carlos Cordova in 18:41.97, and right behind was teammate Isaac Gonzales in 18:43.97.

ATC’s first to finish was junior Cole Ferguson running 17th in 19:18.26. The Phoenix placed fourth with 149 points.

In the middle school 2-mile run, the boy’s race went to Espanola Valley 8th grader Ricky Padilla in 12:39.92, and the Sun Devils scored 25 points to win the team title.

The girl’s race went to 8th grader Savannah Ortiz of Pecos. She ran 14:34.97 and the Panthers won team honors with 30 points.