In the boys race the pack of (SW#1) Albuquerque Academy was too much for the 1-2 Palmer Punch (Eldorado) to over come as the Chargers ran to a 22 point victory. Academy was led by Neil Longenbough who finished 7th in 16:31. 30 seconds later the 7th Charger crossed the finish-line showing the Red Army’s team strength. In a battle for the favorite in New Mexico 5A Elorado was 9 points better than Cibola and 40 points better than Sandia. These three APS teams are the favorites for the trophy stand at state. Individually the afore mentioned 1-2 Palmer Punch (Bryce and Kevin Palmer) were over 40 seconds better than their competition.
The girls’ race was much closer as La Cueva was able to sneak by Academy 64-65. Individually was Academy’s Clara Milne remained undefeated as she crushed a deep field. Her time of 18:32 was over 1:15 ahead of the next runner.
Jaguar Invitational
SW #2 Los Alamos Boys had an easy time distancing themselves from the pack. An improving Rio Rancho squad was 2nd and 3A Power St. Michael’s seems to be getting healthy as they finished a solid 3rd. Gallup slipped for the 2nd week in a row following team suspensions that have left the varsity short a scorer. Individually LA’s 1-2 punch of Gareth Gilna and Kyle Pittman were too much for the field as they ran away from the chase pack with a mile to go. 3rd was Johah Ruyibald of Los Lunas 23 seconds back. In 6th place was JemezValley’s Troy Madalena who currently looks like the favorite to win the 1-2A title in November. In May, Madalena finished 7th in the 3200 showing his marked improvement.
In the girls race Rio Rancho used its come-from-behind strategy to defeat SW Bubble Teams Los Alamos and Gallup. Rio Rancho had a 64 second pack time from 1-6 and their usual #4 slipped to their 7th this weekend. Individually St. Mike’s Kate Norskog continued to dominate as she finished nearly 50 seconds ahead of Pojoaque’s Sophia Torres.
NMMI Invitational
Hobbs and Clovis have slugged it out several times this year with Hobbs usually taking the upper hand. This week was no different as Hobbs defeated Clovis 28-34. All of 5A had better take notice of these southern powers or they could both sneak up to the podium. In an upset, Clovis’ Issy Miranda finished 13 seconds ahead of HobbsJacob Lozano.
In the Girls race, Hobbs defeated Artesia 32-64 for first. Last year’s 4A runner up Anna Olesinski took the individual title in 18:59.
Zuni
Zuni is one of the most electric sites for a Cross-Country meet. That fact is unknown to most in the Southwest but the fans and runners at the Zuni Invite know of the excitement. Zuni harriers defend their home turf with extra zeal. So this year's sweep of the team titles by visiting Navajo Pine will stay sour upon the pallet of the most dedicated Thunderbird harriers and fans for the next 365 days.
In the Boys Race; Navajo Pine (NM1-2A defending champs) 2:00 pack time was not what head coach Tim Host is used to seeing but when his top runner Timmy Chee blazes a 17:41 on the challenging Zuni Course he couldn't have drove away upset.
In the Girls race the long drive from Santa Fe to Zuni did not affect Emma Hamilton (Santa Fe Prep) as she ran away with an 18 second victory. In the team competition, Navajo Pine showed that they are the class of NM 1-2A as they easily distanced themselves from Santa Fe Prep (most likely the 2nd best team in 1-2A) 30-75. Sandwiched between these small school powers was the host Zuni Thunderbirds with 44 points. Zuni looks like the favorite in 3A and they will get their chance to prove their rank at next week's Rio Rancho Jamboree when they face Northern New Mexico Powers St. Mikes and Pojoaque.
Onate Invitational
Both team titles were taken home by Texas Schools as Chapin (El Paso) was 13 points better than Belen in the girl’s race and the Austin (El Paso) Boys easily ran away with the win. The host Onate team looks like a contender this year, as they have been solid all season. This week they finished third ahead of every visiting New Mexico team.
Individually Santa Teresa’s Jackie Campos stole the show. Campos may be the fastest girl in New Mexico but she will not be able to face off against her most heralded competition (the above-mentioned Clara Milne) until state. But Campos will take her fleet feet north to the Rio Rancho Jamboree this weekend.