by Dan Ninham, Contributing Writer
Tagoya Pedro is from the Pueblo of Laguna. He is finishing his junior year at Laguna-Acoma High School in Casa Blanca, New Mexico. Pedro competed in varsity cross country, basketball, baseball and track and field.
Pedro’s major athletic accomplishments included being a nine-time Class 2A state track champion in the 800m, 1600m and 3200m. He was also a state cross country champion for Class 1A and 2A, a 2A state record holder in the 800m and 1600m, and school 800m record holder.
“My indigenous core values affect how I practice and compete because I am taught to be a better person every day,” said Tagoya Pedro. “Even if it’s just by 1%, as long as I try my best.”
Pedro’s main mentors are his grandfather and father. He said, “This is because they are two hardworking men and push me to be the best person I can become as an individual, student, and athlete.”
Malcolm Pedro is Tagoya’s Coach and his Grandfather. He said, “Tagoya began running cross country when he was a kindergarten student and has been running since this time. When I knew he was a special student athlete was when he was in the fourth grade running cross country for the school and for a running club, (and) during this year he was placing fourth to seventh place at each meet.”
“Tagoya was determined and told me that he was going to work hard to improve and he indeed improved, placing first or second at the remaining meets and qualified to attend the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship in Reno, Nevada. It was at this point that I knew he was going to work even harder to achieve his goals as he was determined to be the best,” added Malcolm.
“He loves running and has achieved some of his goals but knows that he has more that he wants to accomplish,” said Malcolm. “He is a determined student athlete not only on the track (and) course but also in the classroom maintaining a 4.0 GPA all through his school years.”
“Tagoya has always been the kid to try something and won’t give until he perfects it,” said Alfred Herrera, Tagoya’s father. “He has definitely kept us on our toes with excitement. Whether it was for a science fair project or trying to out-do his uncles and I by doing a front flip off a 15 foot boulder into the San Juan River.”
Alfred Herrera continued to talk about his son the speedster. He said, “Where I noticed his mentality change was after his eighth grade year at the state track meet. We were watching the 1600m winners receiving their medals. He looked at me and his mom and said ‘I am going to stand on that podium next year.’ Since then he pushed himself hard in the classroom, track, course, field and court.”
Tagoya’s uncle is Anthony Riley. Riley is a 2025 inductee in the North American Indigenous Athletics Hall of Fame. Riley, from the Pueblo of Laguna, was a three-time NCAA D1 All-American and seven-time Atlantic Coast Conference Champion at North Carolina State University in track and field and cross country. He has provided insight with being race ready to his nephew.
“Through his father, he reached out to me,” said Riley. “He wanted to ask how I made it to the D1 level. I advised that he will have to do a little extra. He will need to add ‘plyo’ drills, get in the weight room, train during the summer and most importantly listen to your coach. Tagoya learned quick and accomplished a lot in a short amount of time.”
“He asked me a few weeks before his State Meet what workout he needed to do to break the records. I told him nothing. He did what his coach asked him to do. What I did tell him though, you need to know where you are during the race. It’s easier to race fast if you know your splits. He did exactly what I told him to do and got not one but two records. They were amazing races!,” added Riley.
“Anthony Riley did work with me,” said Tagoya. “He helped me build a good foundation for my running, providing me with a few workouts to do whenever he could. As well as some insight whenever I would see him. He’s real knowledgeable and I take in the advice he gives me.”
“Tony always gave advice to Tagoya,” said Herrera.” We asked him to take him under his wing. Tony at the time had a busy work schedule. But he said he would share workouts. He took him on a run and showed us a trail he used to run. My uncle Tony always been supportive of him and encourages him whenever he sees him.”
“I’ve been working to get to this spot for a long time and I continue to strive to be better,” said Tagoya. “I’ve had my ups and downs with running but that naturally comes with the sport. Being able to be mentally strong and push through is a quality that all runners should have.”
“The most important thing with this sport is to have fun as well,” added Tagoya.
