It was a tight pack at the start of the Socorro Stampede on Saturday.
Russell Huffman | El Defensor Chieftain

Socorro cross country coach Beth Cadol got more than she bargained for at the Socorro Stampede cross country meet as her runners came away from a muddy course with a slew of personal best times.

Before the meet, Cadol was looking for an injury-free day, but that was before the course turned into a sticky and slippery mess.

“I was pushing them to get new best times,” Cadol said. “Let go for personal records on this course because they have been running very well in practice. This would be our familiar course — for them to know where to push. But with the rain this week, I mostly wanted them to be on their feet, smiling at the finish line, and safe.”

Cadol wanted her runners to show they were in good shape — even when the course conditions weren’t perfect, but Socorro’s cross-country coach had plenty to celebrate at the finish line.

“They took advantage because they know where the worst spots are on the course. And so just the fact that they’ve made it to the finish line smiling and many of them set personal bests, and it has made my day,” Cadol said.

Cadol’s runners threw caution to the wind and went for it. Keller Ford dodged the first mud puddle before plowing straight through the rest, and he reported it was “refreshing.”

“Despite telling everyone to be cautious, I had seven high school runners set new all-time personal records, and three had new season-best times. We have a meet at St. Pius next Friday and then our district meet in Cobre on Friday, Oct. 28. Our re-scheduled 5k fundraiser is now Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. at the Rodeo Grounds Cross Country Course,” Cadol said.

Socorro’s Robinson Ford gave the Stampede a two-thumbs-up rating during his race.

Socorro Girls

  1. Sky Sessions, 26:34; 14. Anastasia Zagrai, 26:48; 18. Jacqueline Perez, 27:40; 22. Rem Jacquez, 29:29; 24. Lyzz Moellenbrock, 30:41; 25. Niki Planck, 30:42; 26. Anna Zagrai, 38:41; 27. Addisyn Fassett, 39:48.

Alamo Girls

  1. Claire Apachito, 27:05; 19. Sapphira Sandoval, 28:12; 23. Katelyn Stockham, 30:33.

Socorro Boys

  1. Robinson Ford, 20:09; 18. Luther Richardson, 22:03; 21. Keller Ford, 23:26; 22. Daniel Bowles 23:36; 27. Rylan Timmons, 30:23; 28. Andrew Moellenbrock, 30:32; 29. Liam Demorest, 31:42; 31. Vicente Sanchez, 40:36.

Socorro Middle School Girls

  1. Abby Cadol, 11:27; 4. 11:27, 12:56; Kathleen Johnson 13:09; 10. Kailyn Woods, 15:29; 11 Estella Candelaria, 15:45; 11 Avery Timmons, 16:33.

Socorro Middle School Boys

  1. Riley Sewell, 14:38; 14. Timur Aitbayev, 14:38.50

Alamo Middle School

11 Perfecto Apachito, 13:44; 20. Raymond Apachito Jr. 16:00.

Russell Huffman | Assistant Editor