Shiprock Northwest’s Antonio Yazzie places third in first state race

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | May 14, 2015 | Track & Field |

Shiprock Northwest junior Antonio Yazzie (2) was the first student-athlete to medal at a state meet. Yazzie finished the 3200-meter race in third place with a time of 11:02.99. (Times photo – Paul Natonabah)

ALBUQUERQUE

For the first time ever, most of New Mexico witnessed the hidden running talent at Shiprock Northwest.

And it was all thanks to junior Antonio Yazzie.

Just over two weeks ago, Yazzie became the first Shiprock Northwest student-athlete to qualify for the state track and field meet and last week at the 2015 NMAA State Track and Field Championships he became the first Shiprock Northwest runner to place at the state meet. He placed third in the 3200-meter run with a time of 11:02.99 in the Class 2A field.

He was seeded third going into the event and wanted to win the race for his school.

“I wanted to make Northwest on the top…” he said. “I want to let everybody know instead of Shiprock High, it will be Northwest.”

This past season was Yazzie’s first year running competitively. He said he knew some friends who competed and they influenced him to give it a try.

“It seemed pretty fun so I guess I went into it,” he said.

His debut was during the cross-country season. He qualified for the state cross-country meet and placed seventh overall.

Shiprock Northwest assistant coach Lenny Esson, who started helping with the program, said he already knew Yazzie had the potential to perform at the state level in track and field based on his success in distance running.

“I knew he could run with these guys,” Esson said.

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