There’s not a moment or person solely responsible for the Dolores boys athletics resurgence over the past several years, but noting the time when Michael Rantz took his first steps on campus seems to signal a good start.
Four years later, the Bears senior is putting the finishing touches on his career, and in his wake, Dolores High School has emerged with a higher profile across all six of its varsity boys programs. Rantz’s direct impact included the emergence of Dolores as a playoff contender in football and basketball, while the Bears track and field team has increased its state presence each year since Rantz broke through as the Bears’ lone boys state qualifier during his freshman season.
When Rantz initially lined up in the “fast heats” of his sprinting events, there were moments when he had to pinch himself.
“There were definitely times where I’d think, ‘I can’t believe I’m here,’” Rantz said. “Being at state as a freshman might have been the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
He has overcome the butterflies in a big way. Since then, Rantz has perennially dominated the 400 meters in local races while also flexing to shorter sprints and the long jump pit to help the black-and-red pile up points. He enters the final month of his career tantalizingly close to breaking 50 seconds in the quarter-mile, with a personal best of 50.01, while also serving as a catalyst for several Bears relay teams in the mix for Class 2A state qualification.
“I’ve always had that drive from when I first started, trying to want it more than my competitors,” Rantz said. “And now that I’m doing well, I’ve still been keeping that same mentality. I’m usually a bit behind at the 200 mark, but I just mentally kick it in, even though I know what kind of physical pain I’m going to feel.”
Amid all the success, the journey has been a humble one for Rantz. The hardships along the way taught him how to balance winning and losing, times and places, and how not to place too much importance on any single result.
“We took some really hard losses along the way,” Rantz said, reflecting on four years of growth across multiple sports. “But I learned that everyone is wanting to win just like I am. I learned a lot of compassion for my opponents, because I have been on both sides after a hard-fought game – and I’ve wanted to be able to win with class and lose with class.”
Rantz is typically the first to shake an official’s or opponent’s hand after a game and does so earnestly.
“At the end of the day, we’re all just playing a game, so ‘why earn a bad reputation just from high school sports?’ I’ve got my whole life ahead of me,” Rantz said.
Playing for his father and Dolores High School athletic director Travis Rantz, Michael compiled an all-state football career while playing virtually every snap for the Bears as a dynamic running back, safety and kick returner. The Bears enjoyed their first season at .500 or better in 15 years and narrowly missed their first playoff appearance since moving from Class 1A to the eight-man classification.
It didn’t start that way. Dolores endured a winless gridiron campaign during Rantz’s freshman season before the Bears began to chalk up wins as sophomores and steadily close the gap on their Mountain League rivals over the past three years. Basketball followed a similar trajectory, with the Bears winning just two games in his first season before earning the program’s highest win total in a dozen years this winter.
The victories for Dolores have not all shown up in the win-loss column. According to Rantz, the school has seen a reinvigorated pride in its athletics, reflected in roster sizes and school spirit. Cross country, wrestling and baseball have all seen increased interest on the boys side, and the atmosphere has made Rantz’s senior year a memorable one. The Bears are bona fide contenders for the San Juan Basin track title later this month, with the potential for another busload of Bears heading to Lakewood in mid-May for the state championships.
“We’ve had a major culture shift – guys are working harder and making smarter decisions – because they want to be great,” Rantz said. “I wanted to be a vocal leader to help them along. It’s a mentality that the guys can spread from one person to the next – it makes a huge difference.”
One reason Rantz has found success in the 400 meters is his ability to grind down the final straightaway, holding his form through the last painful meters. He is hitting the homestretch of his high school career with a slightly different approach, finding joy in the final steps and celebrating the journey rather than simply surviving to the finish.
“I’ll miss the competitiveness, wanting to win, but I’ll definitely miss my friends the most,” Rantz said. “I wish I could still be here to see what’s next for our teams. For my final few weeks at Dolores, I want to make the most of it and leave with no regrets.”
