New Mexico Cross Country Countdown Series

The New Mexico Cross Country Countdown breaks down the top 25 New Mexico boys and girls teams returning this fall. These rankings will include projected top runners and weighing how each team may do in their respective districts and state competitions. Changes to class alignments and adaptions to the state championship format have been taken into consideration. These rankings are based on past two seasons of performances and do not include teams that did not compete last year due to a lack of athletes and team information. All top returning runners are only projections and may include athletes no longer on the team due to transfer or out-of-state relocation.

#10 La Cueva Bears

La Cueva is on the upswing as they have found themselves with a squad that can accomplish plenty if they can remain together for the next couple of years. Led by Savannah Ames (11th) who was just one place shy of landing as an All-State performer. Sophomore Ariana Thiel Hadjilambrinos (18th) and juniors Kendall Downing (27th) and Jordan Downing (30th) are the returning scorers for the Bears. La Cueva will be in good hands for the next couple of years but at the moment other schools are just as talented and will not make the road to a podium finish a cakewalk. District 2-5A should see a closer finish among Eldorado and La Cueva as the Eagles graduate a pair including the Individual champion Laurynn Sisneros. They will have plenty of time to compete against some of the best of 5A as they reside in the Albuquerque metro area and early indicators like Metro Championships, Cleveland Invite and Pre-State Meets for how high La Cueva places in November.

5A Girls

2020 State Finish: 5th

State Titles: 1987, 1994,1995, 2013, 2014

Individual State Champions: Laura Lavezo (2007) Natasha Bernal (2014)

2021 La Cueva Rankings

New Mexico Ranking	10th
5A Ranking	6th
District 2-5A Ranking	2nd

Top Returning Runners

Name	Grade	Personal Best (5K)	Best State Finish
Savannah Ames	Jr	20:10	11th
Ariana Thiel Hadjilambrinos	So	20:45	18th
Kendall Downing	Jr	21:34	27th
Jordan Downing	Jr	21:48	30th