Sports are a great way to teach your child responsibility, teamwork, dedication, and discipline. This spring and summer provided lots of opportunity for kids of nearly all ages to get involved or continue in a sport that is important to them.
Throughout April and May, the Taos youth soccer league gave kids ages 4 to 12 an opportunity to play teams from and around Taos every Saturday for 6 weeks. The games were held at Ranchos Elementary and practices were held in Questa. The youth soccer league has seen increases in the number of kids interested over the years, and offers play in the spring and fall.
The Taos youth baseball league has shown growth as well, with several teams coming from Questa, along with our first ever girls softball team. The softball team includes girls from ages 5 to 8 who compete with four other softball teams in the league. Questa had over 50 kids sign up to play youth baseball and filled all divisions, including T-ball, coach pitch (three teams, including the softball team): minor and major league. Youth baseball games were held at Kit Carson Park in Taos.
Questa del Rio News talked with coach Marcus Chavez, who coached T-ball and the softball team this summer. Chavez, a 2014 Questa schools graduate, along with many other volunteer parents, has been involved coaching Questa youth teams over the past few years. A soccer coach as well, Chavez was influenced mainly by his father and his uncle. “They inspired me to be a coach and I want to be a good role model for the kids from Questa. Coaching is in my blood and I love to see the kids grow with the sport,” he expressed.
Chavez takes pride in being a part of the Questa community and says he loves seeing the kids grow from one season to the next and recognizing their good work. “It starts when they’re young. They learn rules and learn to be part of a team.” The coach says that his vision is getting the kids involved when they are young and building their confidence—that way they are prepared and competitive as they grow with the sport.
The high school volleyball team has been gearing up for their fall season, offering open gym, a camp in Moriarity July 11 through 13, and the Mora Jamboree in late July. The camps offered competitive play with members of teams that the girls might not play during their regular season. Their season will officially begin the second week of August.
Girls’ high school basketball went to work as well, participating in three camps throughout the summer, finishing with 16 wins and 4 close losses. Coach Steve Rael mentions that the summer camps give the girls an opportunity to work on fundamentals, develop team chemistry, and stay competitive.
Boys basketball also had a busy summer, taking part in three camps and scrimmage in Taos. The camps, along with offering open gym, gave the boys an opportunity for more playing time and gaining more experience, says assistant coach Justin Martinez. Coaches Mike Rael and Justin Martinez encourage camps and feel the players gain valuable experience playing teams of varying caliber during the summer.
Other sports that have been ongoing this summer with practices and strength training are high school soccer, football, and cheer.
These programs cannot and would not happen without the coaches and volunteers who take time and energy to focus on their programs. Some coaches span the spectrum, coaching many sports. We thank you for your dedication and interest in our youth sports!
