BLOOMFIELD – For Bloomfield High School seniors Evani Velasquez and Andrew Himes, excellence has long been defined by more than stopwatches or finish lines. Through the physical and mental demands of high-level competition, both athletes have set the standard year after year.
Now, after overcoming major injuries that threatened their final seasons, the two head into this weekend’s Class 4A state track meet with a renewed sense of purpose.
Both multi-sport athletes, Velasquez suffered a torn ACL during her junior soccer season, while Himes sustained a torn AC joint in his shoulder in a snowboarding accident last winter — an activity Bloomfield head coach Steve Lanier joked has led to several injuries over the years.
Despite the setbacks, both athletes immediately turned their focus toward rehabilitation. Velasquez helped lead the Bobcats football team to a state championship this past season, while Himes was coming off a district title with the soccer team before his snowboarding injury sidelined him for the opening weeks of the track season.
“I did a lot of rehab right away and couldn’t just sit and wait around,” Himes said of his recovery. “Even now I have to keep strengthening my shoulder in the weight room. I just kept going so I could get back on that runway. Finally, I was able to get back and qualify for state in all four of the events I wanted.”
Velasquez, who holds a state title in the 200-meter dash from the 2024 NMAA state championship meet, said the mental side of recovery has been the toughest challenge as she works back toward her previous form. Still, she showed improvement last Saturday at Kirtland Central after posting a season-best time of 12.36 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
“The recovery process taught me a lot, but it’s been a big mental game for me because I’m not seeing the times I’m used to seeing,” Velasquez said. “I was beating myself up until today and saw I got a seasonal best, so it’s starting to get better.”
Lanier said he emphasized patience with both athletes and credited their work ethic for their strong returns.
“You can’t ask for better kids to coach,” Lanier said. “Evani works hard, she’s positive, she does whatever you ask her to do. It was nice to see her progress throughout the football season to see how her knee was. But coming into track, it was my goal to keep these kids healthy.”
Lanier added that Himes’ recovery has been equally impressive as he prepares to defend the two gold medals he earned at last year’s Class 4A state meet, including a victory in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 14.84 seconds.
“Andrew is also positive and works hard,” Lanier said. “For him to be where he’s at right now is incredible. It’s a testament to his work and his attitude.”
Each athlete reflected on their four years at Bloomfield, especially during their final home meet at districts.
“It’s hard to think about,” Velasquez said of her time as a senior athlete ending. “I’m really hard on myself, but seeing I’m leaving high school with these accomplishments, I can finally be proud of myself.”
For Himes, the finality of it all has come to the surface in the past several weeks.
“It really hit me last week when we had the last meet at Bloomfield, in front of those fans at that place,” Himes said. “The last district meet, the last state meet and see where we go from there.”
As their final season nears its end, Velasquez and Himes head into this weekend’s Class 4A state championship meet having earned the chance to finish their high school careers on their own terms.