On Monday, the rest of New Mexico discovered what Farmington and surrounding communities already knew: Zhianna Flores is fast, as in the real deal kind of fast. Contributed photos.
As the sole truly metropolitan area of the Four Corners region, Farmington is known for lots of things--for cultural and economic diversity, for an abundance of state and national parks within easy driving distance, for the Connie Mack World Series, and at least a couple dozen other things. Just recently added to that list of things to appreciate about Farmington is some of the best sprinting and hurdling to be found in all of New Mexico.
Don't believe me? Check out the national 300 meter hurdles rankings for girls. There at spot #26 on the list, you'll find a name you recognize--Zhianna Flores. While you're there, though, linger a moment or two and scan the list of names above her. Check that, scan the list of home states of the competitors listed above her. All but four come from California, Texas, or Florida. All but two come from states boasting spring weather consistently more conducive to developing sprint and hurdle speed than you're ever going to find in Farmington.
The 43.44 Flores turned at the Marilyn Sepulveda Meet of Champions on Monday is a special kind of mark. It's also the all-time best 4A mark for the state of New Mexico. The all-classification all-time best mark is in view if things go well the rest of this spring. That's what kind of special that time is.
Surprisingly, the 300 hurdles doesn't even check in as Flores' clear favorite event. When asked to name one, she quips, "I like the 300 meter hurdles and the 200 meter dash."
Okay, so she's pretty good at the 200, too. The FinishLynx camera at Marilyn Sepulveda clocked her 200 meters at 25.66. Last year, she won the 4A state 300 hurdles and finished second at 200 meters. This year, she threatens to sweep the 100, 200, and 300H. Only there's a problem to be resolved first. As Coach Mark Turner puts it, "What is tough [to decide] is where do we run her at state?"
And, as the saying goes, "That's a nice kind of problem to have, Coach."
Like so many other exceptional talents, a love of sport developed early with Flores, "I've always loved running, and have participated in sports since I was three years old. When I had the chance to run track in seventh grade, it just felt natural."
That natural gifting for track meant that some other sports started to take a back seat in the Flores hot rod, "I used to do volleyball and basketball but wanted to really focus this year on track, so I dedicated the fall to off-season training." Coach Turner concurs, "She has taken the challenge to get stronger, get healthier and faster."
There isn't much argument to be made over the difference it has produced.
As a junior, thoughts of college have started to move through Flores' mind, but it's still a lengthy list of schools that are in the running. In the meanwhile there are big events like this year's state meet and Great Southwest ahead. Flores aims for a good showing at both, to demonstrate that she "can compete at the next level."
There are those who would argue that she's demonstrated all of that already, but the mind of a true competitor is slower to be persuaded of that sort of thing.
If you've somehow missed the show up to this point, be sure to check out the Piedra Vista team page and see where Flores and company (by the way, the rest of the team at PV is doing pretty well, too) are headed next.
As for me, I hope to catch up with the show at Great Southwest.