by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
Video replay appears to be occurring in the National Football Field on every other play. It is not used in state high school cross-country finishes but there may be a precedent making decision made soon in New Mexico that would quickly go to other states.
During the recent New Mexico Class 5A Boys’ Cross Country Championships, there was a photo finish. Piedra Vista senior Triston Charles was determined to be in second place and Clovis junior Jerrick Maldonado was determined the winner even though some spectators seen it different. Others came across online video of the race finish that also showed a different result. The race result mistake ended up being a technology malfunction with the scoring system but it was too late for an official protest within the 10-minute time allotted.
“I had a super tight finish with this guy from Clovis High School,” recalled Triston. “But there was some debate going on because it appeared through videos and pictures I won but the timer said I took second. A couple days later the Clovis guy said I won and so I was officially the state champion. I like this story because it represents sportsmanship and class. I decided to accept my second place because it was a still a good race and I was fine with that. And the Clovis guy gave up first place because he knew he didn’t win which I really respect.”
Triston Charles is Dine’ and a 5-8, senior student athlete at Piedra Vista High School in Farmington, New Mexico. He plays soccer and runs cross-country during the same fall season. His mom is Bernadine Beyale and dad is Oliver Charles. Both are also Diné and they live in Farmington, New Mexico.
“Triston ran his first XC race 15 months ago and this was just his 2nd year in XC,” said mom Bernadine Beyale. “He always played soccer his whole life and his soccer coach at the end of his sophomore year said he should try XC because he’s such a fast runner. So when junior year came he decided to try out for XC as well as keep playing soccer at the same time.”
Triston was named the Piedra Vista HS cross-country team MVP twice and the New Mexico District and State Champion once.
“I am proud to be Native American,” said Triston. “Especially in athletics because it is a chance for me to represent my tribe. By being this example it has helped me become more disciplined and passionate about what I do in both athletics and in school. I also hope I can inspire others to become passionate about what they do and to pursue goals that may seem almost impossible whether it be in sports, school, or something else. They should be proud of their heritage and what they do just as I am proud of my heritage and what I do.”
Oftentimes athletes excel in their sport as well as in the classroom. For high school student athletes that plan to go to college this is a requirement. Teachers also value student athletes who exhibit positive qualities to learn.
“Triston is just the kind of driven, engaging and curious student that helps make our classroom a competitive environment and safe place to take intellectual risks,” said Melva Yazzie, Calculus Teacher, PVHS. “He is greatly respected by peers and staff at our school. He is admired because of the quality and outstanding work inside and outside the classroom, the impressive and charismatic young man and the intellectual and supportive friend Triston simply is.”
“He exhibits the same tenacity, leadership qualities and sportsmanship in the Chemistry classroom as he does on his cross country team,” said Deborah Engels, Chemistry Teacher, PVHS.
“Triston is an industrious student in AP English class,” said Cheryl Ballew, AP English Teacher, PVHS. “He has a quiet strength that his peers respect. I think they perceive what a strong person Tristan is. It is an honor to teach him, and Piedra Vista is fortunate to have him here. He brings integrity to our student body.”
“I want to go to college to pursue an education while also hoping to continue running for that college,” said Triston. “Athletics has definitely influenced my decisions towards this journey because it has helped me look for things I want in that school in both athletics and education. And it has made me think about if I want to be challenged like I am now or challenged even more. Athletics has even helped me gain the attention of some recruiters that can help me in my decisions on what college to go to and how I can accomplish my goals for sports and education.”
“My coaches have always positively influenced me,” said Triston. “They’ve given me the training I needed to compete as well as the discipline to focus on my training and achieving my goals. And they’ve given me the new experiences to open my mind to the possibilities I have in life and how far I could go. Their time spent on helping my teammates and me has been a huge positive influence on me.
“The first thing that comes to mind about Triston is being fearless, hard working, and disciplined,” said Sebastian Hogue, Piedra Vista HS Track Coach. “Triston is a well disciplined individual when it comes to his training and his studies. One meet that I can recall from him was the Marilyn Sepulveda meet that is an invitation-only meet. A couple of hours before his race he was working on some homework that way he didn’t get behind on his classes. About an hour until his race he put the books away and started warming up and mentally preparing for the race. Triston is one of the most well disciplined kids I know. He is fearless in the fact that the first time I met him he was actually a sprinter as a freshman on the track team. One meet he wanted to try the open 800 and he ran really well for not knowing how to run it and for not having much of an aerobic background. After he finished his race he was cooling down but we coaches got news that we needed someone to run the 800 leg of the medley. Triston overheard us and right away volunteered to do it. That day I knew this kid was selfless and not afraid to tackle challenges head on whether it was in sports or in the classroom.”
“He’s always had a great attitude on the obstacles and challenges he approaches. He’s a great example of a student athlete. On many occasions he’s one of the last boys to leave the finish area congratulating each runner as they finish. He’s a very unique individual and a selfless teammate. I’m very fortunate to have worked with Triston,” added Coach Hogue.
Triston shares advice for other student athletes: “Be committed. Dedication to a sport and school does require some sacrifice but it all eventually pays off. Find a purpose to why you play a sport and use that to influence your work in school. That effort in school will go back into sports. Do your best in both school and sports and it will help you become successful, but also be passionate. Have fun because it does get hard and you need to make it enjoyable.”
Photo’s Credit: Bernadine Beyale
