CHS cross-country gets moving at 15th annual Snow Ball Run

RIO RANCHO — It was a blistering hot afternoon at Cleveland High School Aug. 16 as the cross-country squad took to the course for the annual Snow Ball Run, a time trial to determine placement of runners. Luckily, frozen-treat truck Kona Ice was on hand to cool things off.

According to head coach Kenny Henry, the Snow Ball Run tradition began 15 years ago to help make the early-season time trials more fun and to get the families involved early.

“It's the first opportunity for them to come out and see their son or daughter do what they do out here,” Henry said. “I can’t imagine them not being pretty proud of [the athletes], because this is not an easy thing to do.”

Indeed, the temperature at the finish line during the time trials hovered just over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with the final stretch running through deep, swampy grass.

To help counter the intense heat, 15 years ago, the CHS cross-country coaching staff began bringing out Kona Ice to provide runners and their supporters plenty of icy treats to cool off.

“It’s a fun way to get to see everyone,” said Henry. “[The coaching staff] look forward to it every year.”

Amos Baca and his son, junior cross-country runner Prestyn Baca, said they look forward to this event every year.

"Kona Ice is always good," said Amos Baca. "It doesn't matter how long the run is, it's always nice to have them."

"It really cools me off and helps a lot," added Prestyn Baca.

It wasn’t all fun and games, though. Henry said the day is really about time trials. Runners are timed for the first time of the season and, based on those times, it’s determined which team the runner will compete on: freshman, junior varsity or varsity.

That’s serious business, said Henry. But ultimately, he was pleased with the way his squad looked.

“I think, all-in-all, it was a quality day,” said Henry. “We have a wide range of fitness levels on our team right now. Some kids who had very productive summers were raring to go here today. [Then there were] others who maybe didn’t and today was a lot tougher. But they were racing for something today, and I think there are very few of them I would look at and be disappointed with. So, I’m happy with it.”

CHS boys and girls cross-country both finished third in the team rankings at the 2023 State Championship.