Young cyclists headed to US Pro Cup
Two Taos siblings, Rio and Lhotse Johnson of the FitTaos cycling team, will compete at the US Pro Cup Mountain Bike competition in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The race will be held Wednesday through Sunday (March 19-23) and will feature both short track and cross country events.
Rio, 13, plans to compete in the Colorado High School mountain biking league this coming fall. Lhotse, 11, is a fifth grader at Dixon Elementary School. She's set to ride for the FitTaos Team this fall in New Mexico National Interscholastic Cycling Association’s middle school mountain bike series.
The siblings previously competed in the 33rd-Annual John Earley Memorial Valley of the Sun Stage Race in Phoenix, Arizona, from Feb. 14-16.
Rio, an eighth grader from the FitTaos team, finished second in the general classification for the road race. He also placed fourth in the time trial and fifth in a criterium field sprint. A criterium race consists of multiple laps around a course, with the first rider to cross the finish without being lapped winning the event. Lohtse competed in the 11-12 age division, which consisted of a time trial and a criterium race and won both events.
Taos softball hosting doubleheader against Mora
The Taos High School varsity softball team will host the Mora Rangerettes for a doubleheader to start their season Saturday (March 8) at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The two teams had already faced each other on a scrimmage game at Taos' softball field Saturday (March 1), but neither team had their entire roster at hand to play.
After the match against Mora, the Lady Tigers will host the Shiprock Lady Chieftains Saturday (March 15) at 1 p.m. Taos will travel to Santa Fe on Tuesday (March 18) to play the Capital Lady Jaguars at 3 p.m.
Lady Tigers basketball team defeated in Pojoaque
Thursday evening (Feb. 27) saw the end of the Lady Tiger's varsity basketball season after a loss to the hosting Pojoaque Valley Elkettes in Santa Fe, 40-27.
For the contest's first half, the Lady Tigers and the Elkettes looked evenly matched as they were separated by a point in the first quarter. Despite the Elkettes pulling away by 5 in the second, the Taos team clawed back into contention and shaved down the Elkettes’ lead by 3 points in the third.
However, the Pojoaque team immediately went on a run late in the third quarter to boost past the Taos squad. The Lady Tigers rebounded well but struggled offensively in the late quarters.
The Elkettes outscored the visiting Tigers 21-13 in the second half, and the Pojoaque crowd cheered as their team carried their momentum to victory.
Sophomore Monique Arrietta led the game in scoring with 20 points, followed by senior teammate GG Romero with 16. Sophomore Gerianna Romero also contributed 8 points for the win.
As for the Lady Tigers, senior Julianna Flores had 9 to lead Taos, followed by sophomore teammate Isabella Lucero with 5 and senior Ciera Castillo with 4. Senior Jasmine Mondragon and sophomore Coco Sanchez scored 3 points each.
Mondragon and Flores rebounded nine boards each, and senior Ciera Castillo had five on the glass, including three steals in the contests. After this loss, the Lady Tigers stand at 3-5 for the district and have an overall record of 8-18 for the season.
Sipapu Cardboard Derby
On Saturday (March 22) the Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort will host the annual Cardboard Derby, offering a fun and creative way to slide down a hill as the 2024-25 winter season draws to a close.
According to the resort’s website, the derby is one of the small resort's most popular attractions. Participants will build their vessel from cardboard, duct tape, and strings, then decorate it with paint and other materials.
Before entering the festivities, each vessel will be judged for creativity, and all competitors must wear a helmet. Children 3 years old and under may not participate, but an adult or guardian must accompany any child under 6.
For more information, visit sipapu.ski/ for registration and requirements.
Rally in the Valley
Also on Saturday, New Belgium Brewing will host Rally in the Valley, an on-mountain scavenger hunt involving costumes, clues, snow and general silliness, according to the Taos Ski Valley’s website. The event runs from 10 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
Team up with three friends or family members for a chance to win a pair of limited-edition New Belgium Brewing skis by Rockey Mountain Underground, the press release announced. There will also be an after-party for adults and kids alike.
All proceeds go toward Field Institute of Taos, a nonprofit supporting outdoor activities for the local kids.
Visit skitaos.com for more information regarding registration fees and other questions.
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