You never know whom you might run into at the Alamo in San Antonio. Lytle Head Cross Country Coach Gilbert Ruiz was fortunate to meet four famed cross-country runners on a recent visit.
“I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to meet some XC icons,” Ruiz said. “Every XC coach and runner I’m sure has seen the inspirational movie ‘McFarland’.”
It was quite an honor for a dedicated professional like Coach Ruiz to meet Danny Diaz, Thomas Valles, David Diaz, and Johnny Samaniego who ran for McFarland’s 1987 state championship team in California.
According to Ruiz, “The McFarland group was doing a speaking engagement in Pearsall and as they were getting ready to leave their hotel to go home, one of the parents of one of my runners saw them and started to talk to them. The parent told them about Lytle and they said that they wanted to meet up with me on their way to San Antonio. I had a doctor’s appointment so I told them I was in town but could maybe meet up if my appointment went quickly. I called them when I got out of the appointment and they said they were headed to the Alamo and asked if I could meet them there. And so I did.”
By Jerel Beaty
Staff Writer