Rio Rico Track Meet Focuses on Athlete Development

Shortened distances and non-traditional events aim to build confidence and skills.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:49am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The March 25 track meet at Rio Rico High School featured a unique format designed to aid in the development of student-athletes. Instead of standard track distances, the meet included shorter events like the 300m, 600m, and 1000m to allow participants to push themselves without the full strain of a full-length race. The goal was to build confidence and showcase progress, rather than focus on team scores or individual results.

Why it matters

This developmental approach to the track meet reflects a broader trend in high school sports to prioritize athlete growth and skill-building over pure competition. By modifying traditional events, coaches can identify strengths, target weaknesses, and inspire young athletes to reach new personal bests without the pressure of a scored meet.

The details

The March 25 meet at Rio Rico High School featured boys and girls teams from five local schools - Rio Rico, Nogales, Desert View, Horizon Honors, and Catalina. In addition to standard field events, the track portion included shortened distances like the 300m, 600m, and 1000m instead of the usual 400m, 800m, and 1600m races. According to RRHS coach Stephen Schadler, this format was intended to encourage athletes to 'go out harder and not be afraid' by focusing on specific skills and pacing without the full strain of a full-length event.

  • The developmental track meet took place on March 25, 2026.
  • The Rio Rico track team has five major meets remaining in the current season.

The players

Stephen Schadler

The head track coach at Rio Rico High School, who organized the developmental format of the March 25 meet.

Maria Martinez

A Rio Rico High School athlete who ran the 600m event at a pace that would have translated to a personal best 800m time.

Abraham Chavez

A sprinter from Nogales High School who ran the 300m event at a pace that would have translated to a sub-50 second 400m time, a significant milestone for high school sprinters.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This should encourage the athletes to go out harder and not be afraid.”

— Stephen Schadler, Head Track Coach, Rio Rico High School

“Maria Martinez of RRHS has a personal record of 2:35 in the 800 meters. But during the March 25 meet, she ran the 600 meters in 1:48 – on pace for 2:24 in the 800.”

— Stephen Schadler, Head Track Coach, Rio Rico High School

“Abraham Chavez of NHS ran the 300 meters in 36.8 seconds, which translates to a sub-50 time in the 400 meters – a significant threshold for sprinters. 'That should give him confidence moving forward,'”

— Stephen Schadler, Head Track Coach, Rio Rico High School

What’s next

The Rio Rico track teams will look to build on the progress made at the developmental meet as they prepare for five more major competitions leading up to the Division III state championships.

The takeaway

By prioritizing athlete development over strict competition, the Rio Rico track meet demonstrates a thoughtful approach to high school sports that focuses on building skills, confidence, and personal growth rather than just team results. This model could serve as an example for other programs looking to foster well-rounded student-athletes.