Nieto Nation: midwest move has Chris Nieto thriving in breckenridge backfield

• Photos and videos by Robert Wanek Jr. and Tanner Werner

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• By Robert Wanek Jr. 

Junior tailback Christian Nieto hits the gas pedal and turns up the sideline, chants ring out in the background as Breckenridge's student section screams "Nieto Nation." The former Adrian, Michigan, Maple has found a home in Cowboy Country as part of a lethal Breckenridge backfield. Here's his story of a midwest move and a transition ever so smooth. 

Nieto moved here prior to his sophomore year. His mother, Leslie Coronado, wanted to move closer to her family, notably her sister Jennifer Sanchez, who currently has two sons (Aidan and Alex) competing in Breckenridge athletics. Leslie and Chris agreed that Breckenridge was also a safer community for him to finish his education and sports career.

"We didn't come from the greatest neighborhood," Nieto said. "She (Leslie) felt the move was best and I wanted the same." 

According to FBI crime data, the chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Adrian is 1-in-33, higher than 88% of Michigan's cities and towns.

Chris first connected with his teammates when former Breckenridge Basketball coach Arly Ohm invited him to play in a junior varsity tournament during a week-long summer visit. It was there that he met some of his future football comrades. 

"I'd say Jonah (Christensen) welcomed me in right away, and guys like Sebastian (Anderson) and Junior (Perez)," Nieto said. 

Chris decided to make the stay permanent and wasted no time carving out a prominent role once he became acquainted with coach Chad Fredericksen's offense.

"He's the best coach I've ever had," Nieto said of Fredericksen. "He puts everything he has into the team and I'm grateful to know a guy like him. He really loves his players."

Fredericksen's trust in Nieto was apparent, as he deployed the shifty back for three touchdowns in Breckenridge's first win over Ottertail Central in over a decade. The junior was electric in the 35-8 blowout.

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Nieto was named Breck Sports Talk's 2019 Newcomer of the Year.

Chris also plays basketball, where he earned a more consistent role as his junior year went on.

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The stocky speedster rushed for over 700 yards and seven scores as a junior, teaming up with Jacob Vizenor, Jack Aigner, and Daniel Erlandson in a backfield that amassed over 2,000 yards rushing and 23 touchdowns. However, Nieto was quick to give all the glory to the bulldozers up front.

"Without my offensive line I'm nothing. They are basically our whole offense," Nieto said. "Especially my junior year, they are the real dawgs in this picture and deserve the spotlight." ​

When it comes to Nieto's personal strengths, he attributes his success to the mental side of being a tailback. ​

​"I think I can read the holes well, processing things quickly and making fast decisions with my IQ," Nieto said.

​Nieto's nose for the endzone showed up big time in 2019 during week three at Staples-Motley when he scored twice in a tight 20-14 loss. His conversion on 3rd & 10 late in the contest nearly brought Breckenridge back for the win. That was a preview of what was to come, as Nieto brutalized defenses all season long. He also scored Breckenridge's first touchdown of the Section 6A semifinal game at the FargoDome. 

Breckenridge lost that game 44-16, leaving a sour taste for the now standout senior. Fast forward to 2020, and Nieto is chomping at the bit for another shot at a section title. 

"I'd like to make it back to the championship, that's what we all want," Nieto said. "It was a great atmosphere to play in."

In comparing his time in Adrian to his tenure at Breckenridge, Nieto pointed out the Cowboys' strong winning tradition. The Maples hadn't won a game in three seasons when Nieto moved to Minnesota.

"You could tell they were really bonded," Nieto said of Breckenridge. "Playing together for years like that, they were really built up together in a strong way."
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Nieto's off to a bold start in the shortened 2020 campaign with a 10 carry, 95 yard, and two touchdown performance at Ottertail Central. After his first score, he pointed to the sky to honor his recently deceased Grandma, Olga Nieto.

"I play for all my family," Nieto said. "Some of them are coming up from Michigan for our first home game and, even though they can't get in, they plan to watch from outside the fence."

​One thing is clear, Nieto Nation has taken hold not only in Breckenridge, but across the Heart O' Lakes and into his former home of Adrian.

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Nieto pictured on the steps of the old Breckenridge City Hall entrance.

Breck played a complete □game en route to a 35-8 win at OTC. Vizenor's return, Nieto's three scores, and a stout D-line were key factors.

✅303 Rush Yards
✅160 Total YDS Allowed
✅146.8 QB Rating (@CooperYaggie) pic.twitter.com/dnLW8UXRL8

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) September 21, 2019

Nieto is dedicating his senior season to his grandma Olga, as written on his white cleats.

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Chris Nieto is what you get when you use the juke stick on Madden 2012 ? #NietoNation

I ? you blocking on that tuddy @ben_krump pic.twitter.com/NtAruKFJ7Y

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) October 10, 2020

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Chris Nieto has that BURST ⚡️ highlights of the junior's first season in Breckenridge. #NietoNation□ pic.twitter.com/gGfc1MqYDd

— Breck Sports Talk (@BreckSportsTalk) January 12, 2020

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Chris and his mother Leslie.

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