Gavin Castillo Of Mescalero Apache Tribe Signs Letter of Intent

Congratulations to Gavin Castillo, a standout senior runner from Mescalero Apache High School, who has signed his Letter of Intent to join the cross country program at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU) in Ruidoso!

This exciting commitment marks another chapter in the strong athletic tradition coming out of the Mescalero Apache community and builds on recent successes for tribal runners pursuing higher education and collegiate competition. ENMU-Ruidoso, with its close ties to the region—including longstanding partnerships with the Mescalero Apache Tribe—offers a welcoming environment for student-athletes from local Native communities.

Gavin has been a consistent performer for the Mescalero Apache Chiefs in New Mexico’s Class A-2A cross country scene. Over the years, he has posted solid times and represented his school proudly at major meets:

• In the 2025 New Mexico Class A-2A State Championships (held at Albuquerque Academy), Gavin in the boys’ race ran with a personal-best time of 18:49.60.

• Earlier in 2024, he competed in invitationals and regionals, including a finish (20:41.11) at a key meet.

• He has been part of Mescalero Apache teams competing against strong programs like Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, and others in Otero County and statewide events dating back to his earlier high school years (e.g., top-40 and top-100 finishes in prior state and regional races).

His dedication on the trails—pushing through challenging courses and representing his tribe with grit—has earned him this opportunity to continue at the collegiate level.

ENMU’s cross country program, part of the Greyhounds athletics under the Lone Star Conference (NCAA Division II), competes in a competitive landscape that values endurance, teamwork, and community. The Ruidoso campus location makes it especially meaningful for a Mescalero Apache athlete, keeping him close to home while pursuing academics and athletics.

This signing follows in the footsteps of other Mescalero Apache cross country talents, such as Westly Sago, who previously signed with ENMU-Ruidoso’s program.

Way to go, Gavin—your hard work, perseverance, and passion for the sport are inspiring the next generation! The entire Alamogordo, Mescalero, and Otero County community is proud of you and excited to see you hit the trails for the Greyhounds.

Best wishes for continued success on and off the course—run strong!

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