A third straight 1-2-3 finish for Lady Warriors

Jaylin Gonzales, Faith Lucero and Tamra Fowler record another 1-2-3 finish in the 100-meter dash.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Over the last three track meets, Socorro’s Tamra Fowler, Faith Lucero and Jaylin Gonzales have been 1-2-3 finishers in the 100-meter dash, and the trio’s friendly rivalry may lead to a triple qualification in the event for the state track meet.

Fowler and Lucero qualified at altitude in Cloudcroft two weeks ago when Fowler ran a 13.29 and Lucero recorded a 13.40 (3A qualifying standard). At the same time, Gonzales was credited with a 13.41 in a photo-finish for second and third.

“I like it. I like the competition. I like them running on my left and right, pushing me,” Fowler said.

All three runners are juniors, meaning Fowler will continually be challenged for the title of the Lady Warrior’s fastest athlete.

There’s even a little friendly trash talk now and then between them.

“In Magdalena, I asked them if they wanted to finish together or did they want me to win the race,” Fowler said. “They drive me to want to go faster, and I always want my teammates to win, too.”

Fowler has her hopes on a college soccer career where her speed will undoubtedly come in useful, and while she might tease her teammates, it’s done in a motivating way.

“It’s a goal for me to beat her (Fowler), but more than anything, I want our team to win, and my helping do that is my overall goal,” Lucero said.

As Fowler and Lucero discussed their motivations in the 100-meter dash, Gonzales was warming up for the long jump. She also has hopes for qualifying in the 200-meter dash.

“It challenges me to be running against them,” Gonzales said. “It makes me want to do my best. It’s a motivation to be running next to them. I need to work on my stride and get it longer. Coming in first is always a possibility.”

As luck would have it, all three runners were side-by-side at the Dave Matthieu meet on April 20, and how the trio trains and runs aren’t lost on their coach.

“When they finish a race, they are always congratulating each other. They are very competitive, but they also have a very special bond,” Dianne Jameson said. “They care about each other and want each other to do well.”