Individual Girls
|
Gang Green |
Power Rankings |
|
1) Kaufman, 2) Hamilton, SF Prep 3) Begaye, Navajo Prep 4) Hunt, Navajo Pine 5) Lucero, 6) Hardy, Navajo Pine 7) Carey, Bosque 8) Lee, Estancia 9) Kaitlin Chee, Navajo Pine 10) Ironshell, Navajo Prep |
1) Caroline Kaufman East Mountain 6 1056.79 |
Caroline Kaufman has been the dominant girl in 1-2A all season. She has exhibited her talents in big and small meets. It is not often that an athlete’s first state medal is a blue one but in this case, the computer and I agree, “Sharpie” in Kaufman for the title. The prize for most consistent runner goes to Emma Hamilton. She has runs solid week in and week out which is probably due to her dedication to life long aerobic conditioning over speed. If the pressure of state gets to Kaufman Hamilton will be there to snatch up the title.This year the 1-2A field lacks overall championship experience. The lone individual state champion in the bunch belongs to Chantel Hunt who won the 3200m title two years ago. Is hard to find an upset in this group but you can look for Hailey Lucero to start quick and if she can hang on, she may bring home a top 3 medal.
Individual Boys
|
Gang Green |
Power Rankings |
|
1) Armijo, 2) Madalena, 3) Chee, Navajo Pine 4) 5) Carton, Navajo Pine 6) Varela, 7) Romero, 8) Miller, Bosque 9) Jonathan Torres, 10) Troy Bigman, Newcomb |
1) Troy Madalena Jemez Valley 7 1017.88 |
Mario Armijo is the defending champion in this race but this year he has battled through a handful of injuries that have off his top form. His recent performances show that he may be back on track. The computer picks the super improved Troy Madalena. Last year Madalena finished ninth in cross country and seventh in the 3200m run. This year he has not lost to a 1-2A opponent since the UNM meet. If anyone beats Madalena in this race, it will be considered an upset. Overlooking Navajo Pine’s talented front running duo of Tim Chee and Thomas Martinez will be a mistake. Navajo Pine’s team strategy is to run an even paced race. Last year, Randy Nez (Navajo Pine runner-up in XC, State Champ 1600 & 3200), sacrificed a shot at a team title to help his team pace through the first mile. It will be interesting to see if Chee and
Girls Team
|
Gang Green |
Power Rankings |
|
1) Navajo Pine 2) SF Prep 3) Navajo Prep 4) Bosque 5) Rehoboh |
8) Navajo Pine 6 1197.63 20) |
This is the strongest Navajo Pine team in school history. Their group is deep and talented. They could have 6 girls in the top 15 and there may not be a team capable of placing 3 in the top 15. Navajo Pine is a lock for a 3-Peat. Over the last 3 years Santa Fe Prep has emerges as a power in the girl’s race. This year will be no exception. At the Rio Rancho Jamboree, the Griffens finished a strong fourth and were over 100 points ahead of Navajo Prep (State Champs in 2005). Navajo Prep was running without Monique Ironshell at the Jamboree but her presence will not be enough to make up the deficit. Do not be surprised if Bosque returns to the podium in upset fashion (third in 2007). Their top 3 runners are very fast and they could run even better.
Boys Team
|
Gang Green |
Power Rankings |
|
1) Navajo Pine 2) 3) 4) Penasco 5) Bosque |
10) Navajo Pine 6 1223.59 46) |
Navajo Pine has won 3 team titles in a row and they are once again the favorite. No one can match their top 3 (I have them all in the top 5) and their pack is impressive (5 in the top 30 at Rio Rancho and they should all finish in the top 20 at state). The battle for the second and third place trophies will be tight. The computer has