Community Champions: El Paso track & field team hoping to win big at nationals

A young El Paso track & field team has qualified in multiple events for nationals this July.

The team of 11-12 year-olds are running for the El Paso Panthers.

The team was established in 2015 and 20 of its 50 athletes have qualified for nationals.

“We’ve been very blessed, the team has been very blessed,” head coach Sergio Talavera said. “We always get very talented athletes, there are a lot of talented athletes in El Paso.”

Nationals will be held in Lawrence, KS and the competitions will go from the July24-30.

“It’s a good position to be in because you’re representing your state, your city, your parents and your team,” said Cleo Naranjo, who is ranked No. 1 in the 3000m race.

Last week while competing in Arizona, the girls’ 4×400 and 4×800 teams broke the local and regionals records.

One of the Panther’s 4×800 relay team A is ranked No. 1 going into Nationals while the B team is ranked No. 7 in the race as well.

“We’re really trying to stay on top of our toes to make sure we live up to what we’re ranked at,” Talavera said.

The Panthers also has multiple athletes ranked within the top 10 of their respective individual events as well.

“Unfortunately there’s kids out there who are not competing, they just don’t know about the clubs that we have in El Paso,” Talavera said. “If anything I’d like to take this opportunity to let them know that there are clubs in El Paso that you can join, as far as track goes, so we can continue to represent El Paso at the national level.”

If you are interested in having your child in the Panthers club you can try to join by emailing them at elpasopanthersrunningclub@gmail.com and letting them know you’re interested. The club will reach back out to you and let you bring your kids to try the club out for themselves.