A few weeks prior to a dominating performance at this year's New Mexico High School Cross Country State Championship, head girls' coach at Eldorado High School, Chokri Dhaouadi, gave us the inside scoop on what makes the Golden Eagles' girls team so dominant in the State. Check out the interview here below:
Coach Dhaouadi, can you give a little detail on your own running / coaching background?
"I was an elite runner from 1996 until 2009, and I competed all over the world. I was Tunisia's national cross country champion in 2008, and with my club in Tunisia I won five national team championships between 1996 and 2008. I still race at the masters level once or twice a year, just for fun, and I don't even train hard for it... When I retired from elite competition in 2009, I opened a running shop in Albuquerque. There I met Coach Williams, a very well-known New Mexico Hall of Fame coach at Sandia High School, who came to my shop to order uniforms for his athletes. I began going with him to races and practices, and we talked about the kids. He showed me how much fun coaching can be, and he is the one who truly got me hooked.
In 2012, my best friend and training partner took a job at Sandia High School and asked me to coach with him. Despite the short time we had, both the boys and the girls took 5th at State. That same year, Eldorado's coach left, and I took the job. Since then we have won six state championships across cross country and track, and we are still learning and building a culture here.
I never stop learning. I go to a lot of clinics, watch a lot of podcasts, and talk with international coaches, because running has changed so much since I competed. Some things never change, like the mindset and everything you learn from competing and training. But coaching high schoolers is completely different from coaching elite runners. I have had the chance to coach runners from England, Japan, and the United States, including Tomomi Takamatsu of Japan, who ran the 5000m final at the 2018 World U20 Championships. I love giving back to the community."
You have a relatively young girls' team, including a few 8th graders in the top group. Can you speak to how you build confidence in such young athletes to compete at a high level?
"We have two 8th graders, Isla and Fiona, in our top group, and I don't put pressure on them. They are still learning, so they run relaxed and have fun. Many of our girls also play soccer, volleyball, and basketball, so they are used to competing and working with teammates. They run together, talk, and laugh, and that keeps them loose. Gianna's example helps too. She has been on the biggest stages, so she shows them what is possible. When you are not nervous, you run fast."
How is the team culture? Any natural leaders in workouts and races? Any major themes or goals you have instilled throughout the season?
"Gianna Rahmer, our junior, is our natural leader. She has had big dreams since 8th grade, when she won NXR and placed 6th at NXN. Last year she placed 4th at NXR and also ran at Brooks Nationals. With that experience, she has long wanted a team around her to go to Nationals. We are a very young team: two 8th graders, two freshmen (Ava and Helene), a sophomore (Olivia), and Gianna. She talks to the younger girls constantly and gives them advice, and she is doing an amazing job."
How is the team feeling about the upcoming State Championship meet? This could be Eldorado's third state title in a row. Is that a major goal, or do you focus on one race at a time?
"The girls are excited and confident. We are going for our third straight State title, and so far this season we are undefeated. Our goals are to win State, finish in the top two at NXR, and qualify for NXN. The three-peat is definitely on our minds."
Any great stories from behind the scenes that help us understand Eldorado's journey this past season?
"My favorite story from this season is from the Metro Championship. Gianna, her sister Isla, Helene Gessner, Ava, and Olivia ran the whole race together, laughing and talking the entire time. Gianna kept asking the others to be quiet, but they couldn't help it! They finished 1-2-3-4-5, almost a minute ahead of everyone else, and the people watching couldn't believe it. I think they stay relaxed because they are still learning and don't get nervous. The talking keeps them loose, and that is a big part of why they run so fast."
After a strong State Championship race this past weekend, finishing 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 15th, and scoring 58 points under the second place team, Rio Rancho High School, keep an eye out for the Eldorado girls at the upcoming NXR Southwest Regional Meet at Toka Sticks Golf Course on November 21st as they face off against high level teams across the region.