by By Dan Ninham
One of the top cross country runners in New Mexico will be continuing her education and athletic career in Oregon.
Brandy Ray, 18, is Navajo and a runner for Navajo Prep in NM. Her hometown in Farmington, NM. She is a senior who just signed with Southwestern Oregon Community College.
“I started my athletics at a young age but was never competitive at it,” said Brandy. “It wasn’t until my middle school years where I was more serious in my athletics. In middle school I did football, basketball, and track and field.”
“During high school I chose to only do cross country and track and field due to my endurance I had,” said Brandy. “Some of my main athletic accomplishments came when I was in running more in high school. During my middle school track years I would be placing within the top five, and when I came to high school it changed. I started to take it more seriously.
“Two of my favorite accomplishments were when I took sixth place at the 3A state cross country meet during my sophomore year. My second favorite was when I took third place at the 3A state track and field meet in the 3200 meter run, in which was the first year I have ever done the event,” added Brandy.
“Being a student athlete and also having tribal core values, I did not know them until I attended Navajo Prep,” said Brandy. “As of now, I have learned how running is important within my culture, especially with the teachings running brings. I have learned about the traditions of running early in the mornings, keeping your body healthy, and staying disciplined. With these teachings I tried my best to incorporate them into my training. Being a student, I would make sure I am on time for my classes, giving myself enough sleep for both school and athletics.”
“My family helped encourage me to stay disciplined throughout my student athlete journey as well, and that has helped me develop maturity for college,” added Brandy.
Trevor Hoppe, head cross country coach at Southwestern Oregon CC, said: “Brandy is an impressive young woman with good grades and has a passion for running. We think she will come in and make an immediate impact. We are excited she is joining our cross country program.”
Navajo Prep track coach Lenny Esson positively influenced Brandy to pursue her potential as a runner.
“During my freshman year, I was very new to taking running more seriously,” said Brandy. “I felt as if not everyone saw my potential as an athlete, and for me it only made me want to work harder to be more noticed in running. When it came to my sophomore year of track and field, he was our new coach.”
“I remember the first time he asked what events I was looking to do,” said Brandy. “I told him I wanted to try the 3200 meter run since my family believed I could do so. He put me in the event the first meet, told me a game plan, and from there I won my first ever race in a new event. Since then, I have listened to the advice he’s given me and it led me to learn to love running for what it can offer me.”
“I’ve been Brandy’s coach the last three years,” said Lenny Esson, Head Track Coach, Navajo Prep HS (NM). “I do not coach her in cross-country, but have done cross-country training with my summer training groups.”
“Brandy is an outgoing person, good leader on and off the field, and is strong willed,” said Lenny. “When I met Brandy it was her sophomore year, we talked and one thing I found out quickly was she had the tenacity to push. She’s not built like your average distance runner, but she does have a strong mind and heart. In her sophomore year she placed third at the State 3200 meters in New Mexico.”
“We were hoping for great results last year and we ended our season early due to COVID-19,” said Lenny.
“Brandy didn’t have a fall or spring cross-country season,” said Lenny. “I continued giving her workouts to follow in the process to keep in shape, and she’s looking great so far. She’s won the 3200 and 1600 at her first full track meet, our first track meet was an all-relay meet. I will continue to work with Brandy as she needs or wants, I wish her the best in college, and she will do excellent.”
The COVID-19 impacted training and competition with Brandy and her teammates.
“I am now preparing myself in training and competition,” said Brandy. “I am taking what I have been doing in the off-season and now using it as fuel for my track season. Unfortunately, my school had to cancel fall sports due to some regulations of the state that meant I lost my cross country season. However, my track coach offered my brother and me an opportunity to train with his team since October all the way till his season started. He continued to give us workouts as well, and checking in with us weekly.”
“As of now, I am using that off-season training to give it my all since it is my senior year in track and I lost my season last year during the pandemic,” added Brandy.
“I have some big goals I want to achieve this season, and I also just want to pay it back to my coach for all the help he has given me,” said Brandy.
Photo Credit: Deshanin Yazzie and Sandra Westbrook
