CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. - Improved COVID-19 numbers are continuing to make a difference in the way New Mexico operates across the board. One thing that has been affected is school sports. Athletes in Cibola County were starting to lose hope that their 2021 season would ever come. Then, suddenly, news broke that schools under a hybrid-mode of learning could participate in NMAA sport competitions. Not only that, but now fans are also allowed at the competitions, depending on the color of their county. (The state has announced a tiered colorcoded system for re-opening activities.)
Cibola County is yellow, which means that spectators are allowed at a 25 percent capacity for outdoor venues only. Varsity athletes from Grants High School had a lot to say about all of this.
Eighteen-year-old senior soccer player Marissa Trujillo said, “I am stoked to be able to play; being back on the field with my team is the best feeling. These girls are like my best friends and family so to see how happy it makes them to play is amazing... . Our first home game is this Saturday against Academy, so if you love soccer and you love your Pirates, come support!”
The Lady Pirates soccer team has been running up to two miles before every practice in preparation for game time according to Trujillo.
“What I’m looking forward to the most about upcoming games and tournaments is actually having a senior season where my family can watch me play the sport that they’ve watched me play my whole life,” added fellow teammate and senior Gabby Torres.
Brandon Furbee, a 17-yearold junior and the quarterback for the Grants Pirates football team, also weighed in saying that this past year has been “a struggle but it gave me a lot of time to focus on myself as well as my family. I’m so excited we finally get to start playing again - especially with fans [present].”
The first football game for the Angry Jack Pirates will be versus St. Pius on Friday, March 13, at 1 p.m.
Senior baseball and football player Dominic Martinez, 17, commented on the difficulties of the past year, and described how his last baseball season was cut short during one of their best seasonal starts in years, and how difficult it was at first to try and maintain a good exercise routine despite gyms being closed. Now that the season is finally here, Martinez said, “It feels amazing. I am ecstatic and cannot wait to hit the field on Friday with my brothers against Pius. I am looking forward to having breakout seasons in both my sports and pushing my teammates to do the same.”
The struggle seemed to be a theme among students. Sophomore tennis and soccer player Chloe Rychener, 16, explained, “This year has been crazy and different. It’s been taking some getting used to and has definitely been a struggle, but I’ve eventually gotten the hang of it and adjusted the best I can.... I’m just glad to be able to play and get back into a semi-normal routine.”
Senior basketball player Hannah Straight, 17, agreed, emphasizing the importance of school. She said, “This year has been really depressing and hard on me. I didn’t actually know how big of an impact school has on us. I’m someone who needs school and needs to be sitting in front of a whiteboard to learn and understand things better.”
“I hope we can just still do our best. I know that our bench can get pretty loud though so I’m ready,” said Straight about the indoor basketball season and fans not being allowed as in-person audience.
Senior Varsity Boys Soccer player Douglas Scott III, 18, shared in these feelings of excitement and offered words of gratitude and wisdom: “I’d like to say thank you to all of my family and friends who have helped me and encouraged me throughout my life, and for everyone to know that dreams can’t become reality if you don’t try to make them. No matter what that dream is, fight for it before it’s too late.”
As the world has learned more and more that tomorrow is not promised, these words of excitement for life could not be any more appropriate. If there is one thing these local athletes and students have taken from this experience, it is that — gratitude for life. For right now though, the gratitude to play and compete is eminent, according to numerous community members.