Carlos Villarreal mixed it up with the nations best in cross country this fall. Coach Schadler hopes he can run with the nations elite in track. Photo by Alan Versaw
“I don't tell my athletes to race for time, I tell them to race to win and the times will take care of themselves," said Rio Rico Coach Steve Schadler. Last season he taught that principle to perfection guiding his athletes to a state track and field championship. They did that by scoring the vast majority of their points in the distance races. In fact all but one of their points was in the 4x400 or distance races. This spring Coach Schadler looks to expand who scores points for the Hawks. “This week was the first week of practice," explained Schadler, “we got 4 or 5 new kids from basketball. I hope we can turn one or two of them into sprinters we can get to state."
If one of these basketball players can sprint too, that would make them even scarier as a team. As is they have Victor Cazares back the in hurdles. Aaron Fanning is also a year stronger and hopes to make some noise in the 200m. Additionally the Hawks feature long sprinters Jesus Vega (400m) and Victor Cazares (300H) giving them depth in multiple races.
Even with the improvements to their sprinting squad, the athlete that should score the most points at state for Rio Rico is Carlos Villarreal. The Arizona bound senior will primarily focus on the 1600m and 800m, but hopes to try the 3200m at some point this season as well. While he is within striking distance of the state records, Coach Schadler isn't worried about what Billy Orman or Bernie Montoya ran, “I don't know what the record is, he does. When he gets close and he is in a competitive race we will get a strategy where he has a shot at that time." Fortunately for Schadler's harriers he is not the only strong distance athlete.
Despite losing Ben Noriega and Max Bojorquez to graduation, the distance teams will still be strong for the Hawks. In addition to Carlos, Oscar Amaya is a key factor in the distance races for the Hawks. He did not factor in the way he wanted to at the end of cross country season due to a nagging foot injury and will return hungry in track. Carlos and Oscar should be a strong 1-2 punch in the distance races. They also make a nice duo to help keep the Hawk's 4x800m strong. Filling out their famous 4x800m squad will be Victor and Jesus. Bringing that much speed to the 800m can really put the hurt on other teams.
While they are not historically strong in the throws Coach Schadler is excited how Alberto Castro looks this year, and hopes to get some points from him this season. Coach Schadler often remind his kid that they live on legacy of those who have gone before them and that there is an “obligation to maintain that level of success." Carlos and Co. certainly look primed to keep the Division 3 track program on the map this year.