Los Alamos High School graduating senior Rafael Sanchez is headed to the University of New Mexico to study in the field of medicine but hasn’t yet decided on his major. Sanchez has been a part of both the varsity cross country and track teams since he was an 8th grader and also played basketball for the high school. He has been a team captain for both cross country and track and field. During his time in cross country, he was on two state championship teams while individually being all state for all five years. Sanchez represented Team USA in the 14th WMRA International Under-18 Mountain Running Youth Cup In Susa, Italy which he said was an honor and an amazing experience. He is looking forward to this track season which will go through the month of June and is excited to see how the team performs at the state meet. Sanchez thanked his teammates, friends, teachers and mentors that have helped him throughout his journey, especially his coaches, Rob and Kathy Hipwood as well as Steven and Lindsey Montoya who have helped him with his running and taught him valuable life lessons that will help him throughout his life. Sanchez said his parents, Juan and Yvette Sanchez of Los Alamos, have been his biggest support system and are the most important people in my life. Courtesy photo