Rams' boys track team places third; Vause breaks course record

PHOTOS: Richard Harper Invite 2025

May 4, 2025

ALBUQUERQUE — The Rio Rancho Rams boys track team had a fantastic outing at the 2025 Richard Harper Invite track meet April 25-26, which is hosted by Albuquerque Academy, and placed third overall with 63 points.

A big reason for the success of the Ram squad was the distance runners, who racked up points like a video game.

In fact, RRHS senior sensation Charlie Vause, who will run for BYU next year, broke a course record for the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:11.18. Senior runner Mateo Herrera came in fourth place with a time of 9:28.68.

“Historically, I have always been the kind of guy who likes to go out from the gun and push,” Vause said. “I like an even and fair race.”

Then came the 1,600-meter run that saw three Rams place in the top five. At the head of the pack was senior Cody Sullivan, who won the race with a time of 4:15.43. RRHS runners Alejandro Casaus came in fourth place (4:20.21), and Herrera came in fifth place (4:23.03).

A standout athlete throughout the day was sprinter and jumper Zachai Bradford, who came in fourth place in the long jump (22 feet, 1/2 inch), and participated in many sprint events, including the 4x100-meter race.

“We’re just going to work. We’re going to come out and work,” Bradford said.

The Ram squad came in second place in the 4x100-meter relay (42.17) and took second place in the 4x800-meter relay (8:08.86).

“I just want to use my athleticism to get where I want to be. I got football coming up,” Bradford said.

Bradford, a senior, will play football for New Mexico Military Institute next season and has every athletic trait to exceed at the next level as a linebacker.

The Ram squad also won the 1,600-meter sprint medley with a time of 3:29.43 which was a new school record. The team consisted of Charles Carreathers, Gabe Luna, Kennedy Alexander, and Charlie Vause.

Coming up for the Rams is the famed APS Metros Tournament May 1 at Community Stadium, where they will look to take home the Metro trophy.