Albuquerque, New Mexico- Before the 2025 outdoor track and field season kicks off in New Mexico, we wanted to highlight a coach each week to build on the already strong community that we have, here in the Land of Enchantment.
First, is Volcano Vista cross country and girls track and field head coach Elena Schrader. Here are the questions we asked her...
Q: Could I get your first and last name, the team that you coach for, the role on the team, and how long you've been coaching?
A: Elena Schrader, head coach of boys and girls cross country and head coach of girls track and field. I started coaching in 2006 as the track and field coach at James Monroe Middle School, then became the head coach at Volcano Vista in 2011, and in 2014, became the head coach of boys and girls cross country. That's the long way to say twenty years!
Q: Did you compete in track and field in high school? If so, what was your experience? If not, what is the background in track and field?
A: I did! I ran at Saint Pius High School All four years of high school.
Q: Any favorite memories during your coaching career?
A: I have several. The greatest one being the years I coached my daughters, Isabella and Emily. I coached their club team, but being their coach in high school was a privilege, and I will cherish all the training runs, meets, and experiences we shared for those years. After that, when both the girls and boys cross country teams won the state championship meet, the 2022 4x800 relay setting a state record, and anytime I was able to stand in the crowd and watch my athletes be on the podium of any championship meet.
Q: What is your philosophy or just some coaching tenets that you live by?
A: Joy is just as important as discipline.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about coaching?
A: There are so many things! One is, seeing former athletes that still run, compete, and coach. Years after they left our program. And another major joy is watching athletes learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Learning to push what they perceive is their mental and physical limits, and finding out they can accomplish more.
Q: Who would be in your "karaoking" squad if you could pick staff from your current school (any staff member)?
A: Ben Brown.
Q: Any team traditions or any pre-meet rituals you have?
A: I like to take a moment and just appreciate that I get to do what I love, and let it all soak in. The team has so many, and I love watching them pass down the traditions every season.
Q: Besides track & field, what are some things you enjoy?
A: Traveling to see my daughters who both live in other states, cooking, reading, yoga, and spending time with family.
Q: Was there a coach that was influential in your life?
A: Angelina Ramos (head cross country coach at Southern Illinois University) has been a mentor in my recent career. Locally, Denise Duran (at Manzano HS), and my assistant coaches!
Q: What can people expect from your team this season?
A: Expect watching a team that loves being out there on the track. That supports every athlete from the top varsity runner, to the new JV athlete running track for the first time. A team that knows that we accomplish more when we work together, and support one another. We have big goals for Talen Riley, Niccolai Gallegos, Zarah Abrams, Ava Hefenritcher, Gia Williams just to name a few!