Young resistance runner stands out at event commemorating Pueblo Revolt

Posted by Colleen Keane | Aug 13, 2015 | Track & Field |

Thirteen-year old Jasmine Turtle-Morales won top awards during the resilience run remembering the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. (Special to the Times, Colleen Keane)

ALBUQUERQUE

Until she finally found a loving permanent home, Jasmine Turtle- Morales, Apache/Cochiti/Hopi, lived with foster parents who didn’t treat her very well.

“She had a foster parent who told her that she was worthless and wouldn’t amount to anything,” said Aysha Turtle-Morales, her adoptive mother.

“She has had to overcome a lot,” she added.

To do that, Jasmine drew upon her own internal strengths and heritage to turn the put downs into a life-long challenge. Starting to run competitively about four years ago, Jasmine’s goal is to eventually compete in the Olympics.

To get there, as a member to the Albuquerque Athletics Track and the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics, she regularly competes with other runners in 2, 4 and 5K runs to build stamina, races 1500 and 3,000 meters for speed and competes in local events.

Last Saturday, Jasmine Turtle-Morales won top awards at the third annual Resilience Run, commemorating the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

She placed first in the 10K run (six miles) for her category; second in the all age female category; and eighth in the overall run competing with 61 runners, many more than twice her age.

“I want to show them that a little girl can prove everyone wrong. All foster kids are not bad; they can do good in the world and not go to jail,” said Jasmine Turtle-Morales, 13, who stands a little more than four feet tall.