Eldorado NM Standout Discusses Her Breakout Eighth Grade Year And Her Adjustment To High School Cross Country

By Mary Albl of DyeStat 

Photo by Doug Binder

Gianna Rahmer admits she was nervous. One year ago, Rahmer, a rising eighth grader at Hoover Middle School (Albuquerque, New Mexico), was joining the Eldorado High School varsity cross country team.

She was used to being the leader of the pack – leading with her talents and ability to win and run fast with her long-time club team Albuquerque Athletics Track. But as a 14-year-old stepping into the Eldorado program, she was the newbie. 

“I was definitely super nervous,” Rahmer said. “It was way different because I was used to a team where all of the sudden 8 year-olds followed me around, and now, I was basically the 7 or 8 year-old following everybody else around.”

Eldorado’s head coach Chokri Dhaouadi, who has an extensive background in the sport, shared similar emotions. He was worried about overtraining Rahmer and making sure she could handle the workload, physically and mentally. 

“As a coach I was a little nervous,” Dhaouadi said. “I didn't push her because she's an eighth grader. But she surprised me in every workout.”

She surprised a lot of people, including herself.

In her high school debut, she took the New Mexico running scene by storm, going undefeated and winning the New Mexico 5A state title by more than two minutes, breaking the course record. She went on to claim the NXR Southwest crown and capped off her inaugural prep season claiming All-American honors at Nike Cross Nationals with a sixth place finish.

Quite the first impression. She returns this fall as one of the top prep runners in the country. 

“I was super excited to start racing at the high school level, but I definitely did not expect to win every single race,” Rahmer said. “It was a little crazy for a while, but I definitely did not have any expectations going into the season. I just wanted to push my hardest and become closer to my teammates. The goal was not to win.”

A softball player first, Rahmer picked up club running as a 7-year-old at the suggestion of her dad, Mike Rahmer.

Her parents, both athletes, don't have a background in running. Rahmer has a younger sister,  Isla, who also has a knack for running, was the first in her family to start the sport competitively.

Since joining her club in 2017, Gianna has finished in the top 10 at the USATF National Junior Olympics Cross Country Championships every season since the third grade, winning the 3,000-meter title as a seventh grader in 10 minutes, 25 seconds.

On the track, she was equally successful in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 events. She won the 2023 Outdoor USATF 1,500 (4:39.12) and 3,200 (9:59.85) titles. 

In New Mexico, participation at the high school level as an eighth grader is allowed, following New Mexico Athletic Association guidelines. 

Ready for that next challenge, Rahmer followed the steps and joined. Dhaouadi, who has coached national and professional distance runners, said he knew of Rahmer and her impressive results, but again, was cautiously optimistic. 

“I told her to focus on the process and let me take care of the workouts and just have fun,” he said. 

That summer before the season began, he knew Rahmer was a little different – in a good way. Dhaouadi said at her first summer camp with the team, he noticed she had her phone out when she wasn’t supposed to. 

“I don’t allow the kids to have a phone to focus on team bonding,” he said. “I noticed she had her phone under the table. She’s young, and I don’t want to embarrass her, so I walk to her to look at what she’s doing — she’s watching the World Outdoor Track and Field Championships (held in Budapest) and watching (Sifan) Hassan. I was shocked. She just loves running. She knew the race time, and wanted to watch it and didn't want to miss it. I said this girl is going to be something. I thought, ‘she’s different’.” 

In Rahmer’s first varsity race, the Macen Holderman Memorial Cleveland Invitational, she won in 18:30.6. From there, she kept on winning. On Sept. 9, 2023, she claimed the the UNM Lobo Invitational going under 18 minutes, and winning by more than 30 seconds (17:46.39). 

Dhaouadi said the team embraced Rahmer from the start, helping the transition for her as she catapulted to the team’s #1 runner. 

“I'm so lucky to have a girls and boys team that love each other so much,” Dhaouadi said. “We all work the same. When she came to the team, everyone loved her. I was really nervous about that because not every high schooler wants to be beat by an eighth grader, especially if you're  a senior. But she’s always all smiles and she has gained the love of everyone.” 

Rahmer said as the wins started to pile on last cross country season, so did the nerves and the awareness that more eyes were on her. 

“I can play it cool like warming up, getting ready for the race and then you step on the line and all of the nerves are fluttering around and then the gun goes off, and then it feels a lot better and all of your adrenaline is out and you're racing,” she said. “My teammates definitely ease the nerves.”

That maturity beyond her age, and mindset, are Rahmer’s biggest assets beyond her physical talents and speed. Dhaouadi said he’s made sure she has required rest days (walk her dog) and they keep the mileage low and make sure to keep the communication channels open with her and her parents. 

“Gianna, honestly, she’s way ahead of her age,” Dhaouadi said. “She loves to win, she loves to battle (on the course), and just have fun and smile. Anything I say she will do. But she's young, and we want her to be great when she grows.”

Rahmer said after winning the state title, and then NXR Southwest, which included beating eventual NXN winner Addison Ritzenhein, she was ready for a break by the time NXN came in early December. She still grinded out an impressive sixth-place finish. 

Dhaouadi said Rahmer has a great kick but it’s her drive and focus that makes her next level. 

“When it's time for play it’s time for play, and when I start running I  try to be more focused. I definitely want to be someone on the team anyone can talk to if they need anything.”

Thai fall, she’s picked up right where she left off. She won the Cleveland Invitational for the second straight year, setting a course record in the process (18:02.7).

The goals for Rahmer this fall are centered on the team, and helping them finish better than fifth place last year, with a solid returning core. 

“My top goal is to build up my team and have a state-winning team,” she said matter-of-factly. 

And while Rahmer is just 5-foot-4 and now attending a school of more than 1,000 people, she said, similar to last year, she’s slowly starting to garner more attention. 

 “So far I don't think many people recognize me but I think my teachers are finally starting to make the connection,” she said. “They are like, ‘Oh, you’re that eighth grader!’”