EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Organ Mountain High School in Las Cruces has a great tradition in track and field and in cross country going back 30 years or more, long before the school changed its name from Onate in 2021-22.
Right now, it may have its two top runners – ever – and they are hoping to push each other to greater heights this school year with both entering their senior years.
Corbin Coombs won two individual events at the New Mexico state track championships last spring – the boys 800 meters and the 1,600 and was a member of the state champion and state-record setting 4×800 relay.
Jeron Wisner, left, and Corbin Coombs, of Organ Mountain High School, compete during a cross country meet. Photo courtesy of David Nunez
His time in the 1,600 meters at state also set a new standard for New Mexico high school tracksters with a state record time of 4 minutes, 6.17 seconds.
“No kid in any classification has ever run a 4:06 at the state meet, with the exception of Corbin,” legendary Organ Mountain High School track and cross country coach David Nunez said.
For his efforts, Coombs was named the Gatorade New Mexico Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year for 2024.
Teammate Jeron Wisner was also part of the winning 4×800 relay team at state. He was second in the 3,200 meters at state and third in the 1,600.
“It has been a blessing to have that caliber of runner in this program,” Nunez said. “I have to say they are probably – and we have quite the legacy – the two best runners that I have had the privilege and honor to coach.”
Corbin Coombs, left, and Jeron Wisner at the state track and field championships last spring. Courtesy David Nunez
Heading into the new school year, both Coombs and Wisner have big goals and want to push each other to even greater achievements.
“Whenever records go down, every once in a while it is someone out there all alone, but usually there is someone there to push as well,” Coombs said.
Coombs said that while he and Wisner have pushed each other in practice and races, he is also motivated to keep up with Charlie Vause, of Rio Rancho High School, who is also one of the state’s top distance runners.
During the fall cross country season, Coombs said he would like to improve on every course that he has run on previously.
His top finish previously at state in cross country was a fourth place.
This year, he wants to “give it my all and hopefully win” at state during cross country. After state, he would like to do well at Nike Cross Regionals and be able to qualify for the Nike Cross Nationals meet as well.
In the spring track season, Coombs would like to improve in all his events.
“Hopefully, break four minutes in the mile and potentially go for national records if I’m fit enough and my training has been going well,” he said.
Corbin Coombs, left, and Jeron Wisner with their medals from state cross country championship. Courtesy of David Nunez
After last spring’s performance at the state track championships, Coombs took 10 days off and got back to training this summer.
“Right now, I’m building into it, trying to get my mileage up and just making sure I take this summer seriously,” Coombs said. “If I don’t, I know other people will and I won’t have a chance with them in-season if I don’t take care of the off-season.”
Coombs also said he wants to enjoy the moment during his senior year.
“I try to enjoy every single day and do the best to train and improve every day,” Coomb said.
Wisner, meanwhile, concedes he is the underdog when it comes to comparisons with his much more heralded teammate.
“It should be a fun season; I feel there is still a lot I need to prove to myself and others, whether in the region, nation or state,” Wisner said.
Wisner said that having such a talented teammate in Coombs, that helps to keep him motivated and keep going.
“Having Corbin on the team helps me to realize that I should be up there as well,” Wisner said. “All the training we do is the same, stuff like that.”
The big difference is how mentally tough Coombs is, Wisner said.
“I know there are things I can do differently mentally and that really pushes me to do better,” he said.
During cross country, Wisner said he wants to work on being aware and “being present in the race.”
“The big thing for me is making sure I am competitive,” Wisner said.
In track, Wisner said he has similar goals – to improve, get exposure by going to big meets and doing well.
As far as times, Wisner said he would like to go for a sub-8:40 two-mile, a sub-4:05 mile, a sub-1:52 800 and a sub 14:40 5K.
Nunez, a member of the New Mexico Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame, said the neat thing about coaching Coombs and Wisner is they are both great runners, but maybe even better people.
“We try here in our program to not only develop runners, but to develop people,” Nunez said. “I have to say Corbin and Jeron are great role models for the younger athletes who are coming up through the program, their work ethic. What they do in the classroom is amazing.
“They are good people, not just good runners,” Nunez said.
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