There’s a new face leading Socorro High School’s girls’ track and field program, and while coach Beth Cadol might be a distance specialist, she has all the tools to revitalize the Lady Warriors.

A year away from teaching retirement, coach Dianne Jamison stepped away from track this season with the idea of helping a new coach transition into the position and helping them with logistics behind the scenes.

“I’m so grateful for coach Jamison’s help, and we couldn’t have put the Zimmerly Relays together without her help,” Cadol said. “She is someone we can depend on, and she’s just a phone call away if we need help.”

The Lady Warriors program needs help, and the most significant need is more athletes because following Covid, Socorro’s numbers dropped way off and still haven’t reached the numbers seen 4-5 years ago.

Cadol has been volunteering for the past three years, and she’s already rebuilt Socorro’s cross-country program, going from one athlete to more than 30 this season. “I knew that I wanted the program to continue. I love what they’re doing, what it can be, and all its potential,” Cadol said. “I was also excited to work with coach (Cody) Lee, and he was able to get together an excellent group of coaches working together for the first time in many ways. It’s gelling and working, and I am grateful, especially that they understand I am a distance specialist.”

While it may not seem like it to the average fan, there are huge differences between cross-country and track and field.

“Track has so many more moving parts. There are so many different distances, and some of the training can be combined and lots of it can’t. At a meet, there are so many things going on at once, and it has taken me to this point in the season to know where to be on the track so I can coach,” Cadol said.

Senior sprinter Tamra Fowler is Socorro’s top returning female athlete. Last season, she finished third in the 100 meters at the state meet.

Cadol has a simple goal for her Lady Warriors this season: to see improvement every time they step onto the oval.

“I hope they see the value in working hard,” Cadol said.

The Socorro Lady Warriors track roster includes Alex Baca, Ma’Leah Brown, Sienna Bunning, Abby Cadol, Estella Candelaria, Siara Carrillo, Stephanie Chavez, Jasmine Dunklee, Tamra Fowler, Kaedyn Gonzales, Esther Gutierrez, Adrianna Gutierrez, Breanne Lucero, Faith Lucero, Adelyn Marcum, Marijo Morales, Emilia Olivares, Avery Timmons, Anastasia Zagrai and Anna Zagrai.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor