This week, we take a look at New Mexico's crop of freshman boys for the 2014 season. As was the case with the girls, there's a chance we're missing a few here due to unknown years of graduation, but we're hoping we at least have the vast majority of them listed here:
5K Rankings - All Freshman Boys
3 Mile Rankings - All Freshman Boys
1. Devin Paredes, Rio Rancho - Topping the list is a Ram freshman who has already made a huge impact on the team scoring for Rio Rancho. Paredes has already established his place on this roster and the future is interesting indeed. The present is a 16:09 5K best mark.
2. Jordan Lesansee, Albuquerque Academy - Lesansee is a part, make that a big part, of the youth movement at Albuquerque Academy. At this point in the season, he's tipping the scales at 16:22, and there's probably more where that came from.
3. Aric Kedge, Albuquerque Academy - If Lesansee misses so much as a stride, it's a likely bet that his own teammate is passing him by. It's going to be a rough next three years for the rest of the 4A boys teams. Kedge's best so far? 16:27
4. Noah Dodd, Rio Rancho - Obviously, the Rams are doing their level best to keep up with the Chargers. And, they're doing a pretty decent job of it. Dodd checks in with a very nice 16:43
5. Thomas Salas, Oñate - From down south comes the new muscle on the Oñate squad. This Knight is making things happen for the Las Cruces-based team. Figuring prominently in the results for every meet thus far this season, Salas owns a season-best of 16:56.
6. Mark Harrington, Albuquerque Academy - Clearly, the beat goes on, but how would you like to be running 16:58 as a freshman and be only the third best runner in your team in your own grade? That's a thankless living right there. Hang on, Mr. Harrington, the opportunities will be flowing your way soon enough.
7. Mike Anzures, Grants - Forging his way onto this list with a 17:15 from the Curtis Williams Invitational in Red Rock Canyon this past weekend is Mike Anzures of Grants. Though that is his best mark of the season, he has a couple more in his hip pocket to prove this one was no fluke.
8. Tyler Davis, Ruidoso - Graduation hit the Warriors hard last spring, and this figured to be something of a rebuilding year for Ruidoso. Mr. Davis has been helping to hasten the rebuilding process with a 3-mile best time of 17:24.