A Bakersfield family is mourning the loss of their daughter who died in New Mexico, where she attended college and played on the soccer team.
Thalia Chaverria, 20, graduated from Frontier High School in 2021 and was selected three times as BVarsity All-Area. The New Mexico State University student, who finished her second year in college, was found in her Las Cruces home by police at 7 a.m. Monday after authorities got a call about an unresponsive woman, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.
Investigators added they didn’t suspect criminal or suspicious circumstances, but police and the office of the medical investigator will determine the cause of death.
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Chaverria’s death sparked an outpouring of condolences and remembrances — many remembered her bright spirit against the backdrop of the tragedy. Known as “T” to NMSU’s head soccer coach, Rob Baarts noted her loss rocked their team on which Chaverria, a defender, served as an inspiration. The 20 year old served as a rock for her teammates, Baarts added in the statement.
“She will be missed but not forgotten,” Baarts said in a statement. “Her spirit will be with us every day, on and off the pitch. I will always love you T!”
Students held a private vigil for Chaverria on Tuesday and honored her uniform, which was jersey No. 2, according to the KOAT Albuquerque news station. A tree was decorated with purple hearts and the stadium shined purple lights in her honor.
A GoFundMe created by the family said Chaverria had two brothers and was a loving mom to her fur babies.
“She was loved by many,” the GoFundMe created by Chaverria’s aunt read. “Her long, beautiful curly hair and smile will forever be embedded in our memories.”
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Chaverria started in every game her sophomore season and was the only freshman to play in all of NMSU’s 20 games while starting in 17, according to a biography posted on the school’s website. It added she played a “pivotal role” for her team last year.
NMSU Director of Athletics Mario Moccia said in a statement Chaverria was an amazing young woman and the tragedy is felt throughout NMSU’s tight-knit community.
“Thalia had a vibrant personality and those who were fortunate enough to spend time with her knew she had a bright future ahead of her,” Moccia wrote in the statement.
BVarsity ranked Chaverria on the first team during her senior and junior years of high school as a midfielder. The Bakersfield Californian also bestowed an honorable mention for Chaverria’s abilities during her sophomore year of high school.
In a video posted to the Kern High Network, Chaverria mentioned her gratitude of signing to NMSU in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The college coaches were welcoming and nice, but she’ll miss playing with friends at Frontier who ensured her high school years were the best, Chaverria said in the video.
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“I just to want to say thank you to everybody who has been a part of my journey,” Chaverria said. “It has been a long journey, but it’s just getting started. So, here’s to a new chapter in my life.”
The Californian’s sports reporter Ron Stapp contributed to this report.
You can reach Ishani Desai at 661-395-7417. You can also follow her at @_ishanidesai on Twitter.
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New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment thanks to its otherworldly desert landscape, star-filled night sky, and the oldest capital city in the United States, filled with a rich history and culture. But some know it as a land of excitement, since it’s a premier whitewater rafting destination. Just 25 minutes outside of Taos, thrill-seekers will find the Taos Box, an epic whitewater run where foaming rapids, dramatic drops, and massive boulders are bordered by stunning cliffs. It’s these 800-foot basalt cliffs of the Rio Grande Gorge that give this area its name, as they box the river in.
The Taos Box refers to two separate reaches: the 15-mile Lower Box has Class IV rapids, while the Upper Box is a 6-mile Class V+ stretch that’s for experts only. With rapids like the “Boat Reamer” and “Screaming Left-Hand Turn” in the Lower Box, it’s not hard to imagine what you’re in for: frothy water and wild rapids course through the canyon and under the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, a steel behemoth that’s the fifth-tallest bridge in the country, hanging 650 feet above the water’s surface.
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The last four miles of the Lower Box are especially thrilling … or harrowing, depending on who you ask. Cisco Guevara, owner of Los Rios River Runners, describes them (via High on Adventure): “The last four miles are just screaming huge big stuff.” There’s a single 13-foot drop and the infamous rock garden that still gives him butterflies. These whitewater runs aren’t for the faint of heart, but rather for those seeking an adventure in pristine wilderness, as the canyon doesn’t have a railroad or road next to it, and you may see wildlife like bighorn sheep, beavers, and eagles soaring above.
What to know when rafting the Taos Box
Getting to the Taos Box is convenient, since Taos is only a 1.5-hour drive from Santa Fe and 2.5 hours from Albuquerque, both of which have airports. Taos also has a small airport, which services direct flights from several regional locations. Taos may be famous for its unbelievable 1,000-year-old world heritage site and Taos Ski Valley, its winter sports destination, but its whitewater rapids are close behind, as seen by the number of rafting companies in the town. It can be hard to choose, but some favorites are Los Rios River Runners and New Mexico River Adventures, both of which currently have a 4.9 rating on Yelp.
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The rafting season is from spring to fall, typically from March to October, depending on weather conditions and water levels. The Rio Grande is not only one of the longest rivers in the U.S., but it’s also one of the most endangered due to climate change, pollution, and agricultural overuse, so its water levels can change greatly throughout the year. It’s possible to check them online or speak to the company you’re booking with to determine the best time for your trip.
The Upper Box is only suitable for expert kayakers and rafters who can navigate Class IV and V rapids, as well as self-rescue. If you’re a beginner or intermediate, it’s highly recommended that you tackle the Lower Box with an expert or someone who’s run it before. The Box isn’t the only option near Taos either; the Racecourse is a stretch just south of the town that has Class III rapids, which are family-friendly but still exciting and challenging enough to offer an exciting adventure for everyone.
