Running With the Lobos

 

Eldorado's Crissey Amberg pulls away from Kelli Reagan of St. Pius X in the final stages of the girls race. Photo by Blake Wood.

 

Bright blue skies welcomed harriers from around the state to the UNM North Golf Course for the Lobo Invitational. Big, beautiful trees lined the grass fairways, while camp tents were sprinkled throughout the start & finish areas. The Lobo Invitational traditionally serves as the grand entrance to the NM XC season, and this season was no different, as more than 25 teams from New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado lined up to prove their mettle in early September.

 

Without a clear dominating runner dictating the pace, the field hesitated to race with reckless abandon, instead choosing to set a solid pace while a large pack of contending individuals jostled for position among the pack. 

 

Early on, it was evident that the vaunted preseason discussion signaling the return of Albuquerque Academy was not premature,...