Niles Thomas was arguably the top 4A freshman last fall and figures to make bigger noises this fall. Photo by Alan Versaw.
We've taken a look at the teams, now let's take a look at the individuals. In this article, and those that follow, we'll review last year's top ten and then take an educated guess at some projections to move up into this fall's top ten.
1. Nick Hill, Los Alamos - Graduated
2. Brandon Levi, Piedra Vista - Graduated
3. Orion Staples, Los Alamos - Graduated
4. Sean Reardon, Los Alamos - Graduated, signed with Adams State University
5. Kevin Wyss, Albuquerque Academy - Wyss is the only returning returner who broke up the Los Alamos front five last fall, making him something of a favorite for this fall. In addition to his fifth-place finish in cross country, Wyss placed fifth in the 4A state 1600. Wyss owns PRs of 4:26 and 9:52 on the track.
6. Colin Hemez, Los Alamos - Hemez is the lone returning runner of the Los Alamos front five and enjoyed what was indisputably the best track season of any of the top cross country runners who will be returning this fall. Hemez placed fifth in the state 3200 and third in the 1600. His track PRs are 4:24 and 9:42.
7. Blaise Mariner, Albuquerque Academy - Graduated as a three-sport athlete at the Academy
8. Zak Kennison, Los Alamos - Graduated, signed with Colorado Mesa University
9. Mason Thomas, Goddard - Graduated
10. Austin Anaya, Moriarty - Graduated, signed with Adams State University
With eight of the top ten graudated, there is plenty of room for others to move up. There does not, however appear to be shortage of candidates to move up into those positions. Here is at least a sampling of those falling in line for the honor:
Mike Walker, Los Alamos - Walker closed out the the Los Alamos finishers at state last fall, but will be needed to move up into the scoring order this fall.
Harrison Fleming, Piedra Vista - Fleming figures to take over Levi's position as top guy in the PV order after claiming 13th at state last fall. Fleming concentrated mostly on the 1600 in track this spring, eventually posting a PR of 4:27 at the state meet.
Zach Grand, Santa Fe - Grand's 9:50 at the state meet was good enough for third at the state meet this spring. Grand will be a senior this fall and looking to improve upon his 14th-place finish at state cross country last fall.
Niles Thomas, Miyamura - The Miyamura freshman was 16th at the state cross country last fall, but moved up in a big way in track this spring, taking fourth in the 1600 at 4:26 and 11th in the 3200 at 10:04. If you're looking for someone to move up in a big way, Thomas may be your man.
Jared Garcia, Belen - It's easy enough to ignore Garcia's #22 finish at state cross country last fall, but it's a good bit more difficult to ignore the 4:28 1600 and 9:54 3200 at the state track meet. Some people are upward bound--Garcia appears to be one of those people.
The masses, Albuquerque Academy - The Chargers are loaded. I don't know which of Kyle Carrozza, Aric Kedge, A. J. Kedge, Jorge Otero, Jordan Lesansee, Carlos C de Baca, and maybe one or two more, might end up in November's top ten, but it's a fair bet that there will be a lot of red toward the front of the field. If you're having trouble visualizing it, think about what it was like last fall with Los Alamos.