ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Zia Track Club has been around since 2018 and continued to develop young New Mexican athletes ever since. This year has arguably been the club’s most successful year as some of the fastest times to ever come out of New Mexico came from Zia athletes.
Following a successful state meet, 55 kids qualified for regionals in Aurora, Colorado starting July 12. At the state meet, Zia Track Club also set five new state record. Three records came from 13-year-old Anayjah Garza, while the other two came in the 4x100m relay from both the 11-12 and 13-14 girls.
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Both relay teams currently have the fastest time in the region. The 11-12 group also has the third fastest time in the nation.
“It didn’t feel real because like we just put together this random 4×1, and we didn’t really think much of it, but it ended up being so big,” said 14-year-old Aliyah Mumba.
Thanks to the club having so many high-performing athletes, training is more intense than years’ past. The girls have broken records in practices and have continued to get faster throughout the year.
“You know how the old phrase goes, iron sharpens iron, and that’s exactly what these kids do out here,” said coach Cory Hall.
“They push us to be better, and we get to do a lot with each other,” Kiyah Cruz said. “We’re basically like a family.”
Now that the girls have passed the state meet, they are no longer just running for Zia Track Club, but also running to represent the entire state of New Mexico. Athletes from the Land of Enchantment are few and far between on the national level, and Zia’s kids hope to change that narrative.
While regionals are the next stop for Zia Track Club athletes, the end goal is to make it to the USTAF national meet at the end of July on the campus of Texas A&M. To qualify for nationals, runners must place in the top four of their respective event.
A GoFundMe has been started to support both the 11-12 and 13-14 girls relay teams. Proceeds will go directly to each individual relay team’s travel.
