Michael Sims’ Cavern City Aces Running Club Recruiting

By Misty Cryer

The summer season has started with Cavern City Aces running club athletes competing in the El Paso Flames Invitational on the last weekend of May. The running club is recruiting for the Cross-Country season as well, giving athletes in grades two to six, and athletes aged 19 and over the opportunity to compete.

Founder of the running club, Michael Sims, shared details about the results of the recent meet, Cavern City Aces, and the club’s planned events.

At the El Paso Flames Invitational Meet, locals placing first through third in a variety of events included Misha Garcia, Rex Reynolds, Michael James Deanda, Olivia Long, Jaydance Gutierrez, Natalia Butts, and Shylee Eiffert. In the 4x100 relay, a team consisting of Aryniaus Sanders, Damien Valencia, Steven Larez, and Henry Einkauf took second.

Several local athletes, marked on the results sheet provided by Sims, would qualify for the next round of Junior Olympics, along with achieving ranking in the New Mexico Association. Some local athletes achieved regional and national rankings as well.

Summer activities include practices coordinated through an app, said Sims. “Every weekend, we go to a track meet,” he said, adding the meets lead into championship season.

“The coolest thing about this is for the youth athletes; they get to go see the Junior Olympic qualifying process through United States Track and Field,” said Sims.

 “We’re also recruiting for the upcoming Cross Country season as well for second to sixth graders and nineteen-plus athletes,” said Sims. He explained that seventh to twelfth grade are usually involved in the school teams.

A fundraiser was recently completed to help members with the membership fees, which covers entry fees, snacks and drinks provided at team camps and meets, and extra expenses, Sims said, adding that, if need be, another fundraiser could be started for new members and potentially for uniforms.

Sims said he also plans to have an elementary coach during cross-country season. Natalia Butts is in the process of becoming certified. “She was actually one of my athletes for track this past season. She just graduated, and she is starting her college courses here in town, so I thought it would be a great opportunity for her to get coaching experience,” he said.

Sims said he is also looking for someone to help coordinate the open masters practice for adults during cross-country season if there is interest.

He said he also offers private coaching, which includes personalized training based on what he learned running at college at UTEP (University of Texas at El Paso).

From his understanding, Sims said, “We’re the first competitive running club in Carlsbad for around 20 years, and we are definitely the first running track club in Carlsbad (potentially Southeast New Mexico) that’s registered with United States Track and Field.” He said he’s spent about three years trying to build this up.

When asked about current membership, Sims said, “Right now, we’re close to 40. I’m excited for what this club can do for our athletes and community.”

To show how big these meets are, Simms said the El Paso Flames Invitational 2025 meet had 1,360 athletes confirmed the week before the track meet. “It includes athletes as young as six or seven to athletes as old as, like, 99,” he said.

For athletes interested in joining Cavern City Aces running club, Sims said it all starts by filling out a recruitment form located in a pinned post on the club’s Facebook page. He can also be reached directly by phone at 575-361-6494 for information about the club or to inquire about private coaching.