2014 Cleveland Invitational – Swift with the Quickness

Cleveland XC Invitational
Nick Martinez

 

Rio Rancho's Devin Paredes racing at the UNM Lobo Invite, won Saturday's Cleveland XC Invite. Photo courtesy of Alan Versaw.

 

 

2014 Cleveland Invitational – Swift with the Quickness

Saturday’s races were characterized by fast times, cool weather, and across the board excitement. Albuquerque’s normal warm September weather quickly changed this week, as larger clouds and wet drizzles cooled the entire valley, Runners were left with favorable conditions to run fast. Additionally, Coach Kenny Henry’s course provides a great chance for early season personal records. A fast course & nice weather always adds a nice element to tough competition, and this year’s race did not disappoint. The Rio Rancho Rams came into the meet humming with considerable momentum, and they ran the tables en route to their strongest overall team showing.

Varsity Boys Race

The Boys race jump-started the morning, with a bevy of top-notch harriers taking advantage of the cooler weather and fast course. All teams were operating a top strength, with the exception of Albuquerque Academy, who rested several varsity runners, so we were unable to see Jordan Lesansee compete against the likes of Chris Harlow (Cibola), Devin Paredes (Rio Rancho), Tom Hiett (La Cueva), and Michael Goke (Rio Rancho). The defending state Champion Rio Rancho Rams once again grouped together and attacked the course with tempered aggression, and their leader Devin Paredes swiftly assumed leading duties for the entire field. Paredes came through the first mile while pulling along Chris Harlow, Tom Hiett, Michael Goke, and Ryan Harlow (Cibola). The boys came through at 5 minutes flat, and Paredes only tightened the screws on the next lap. At this point, it was clear that Rio Rancho was running on a higher level, executing their race strategy and dictating a fiercely strong pack mentality.

The only competitor to truly pursue the rabbit was Chris Harlow, and he gamely pushed his barrel-chested gait on pace with Paredes. Along the final long loop, Paredes reacted to the chants from Rio Rancho fans, and mightily pulled away to score a very fast individual victory, and provide a precursor to the Ram’s success. Serving as the runner-up was Chris Harlow, a known commodity of excellence, but most surprising was his younger brother Ryan Harlow’s impressive showing today, as the younger Harlow finished in fourth place. Rio Rancho clinched their win with five runners placing in the top twelve, and the Ram’s exuberant coach Sal Gonzales was pumped with their performance.

Boys Team Results:

  1. Rio Rancho                    31 pts              AVG 16:13
  2. Cibola                              80 pts              AVG 16:39
  3. Volcano Vista                 85 pts              AVG 16:46
  4. La Cueva                        107 pts           AVG 16:56
  5. Academy                        119 pts            AVG 17:01

 

Varsity Girls Race

Lobo Invitational winner Natasha Bernal has quickly arrived on the scene with little experience or fanfare, but she is quickly developing a sterling reputation at the vanguard of New Mexico’s elite running scene. Her competitors toed the line with much resistance, and Andi Almodovar (Rio Rancho) served notice that she intends to make Bernal work for any success. Similarly, Eldorado’s esteemed harrier Jessie Hix, was among the few that went with the leaders. As the gun’s smoke appeared, the runners snapped into race pace, with Bernal quickly joined by Almodovar, and Hix at the head of the pack. Although Bernal’s lone victory was impressive earlier this season, Almodovar didn’t seem concerned that the runner on her heels was the true favorite.  Sustaining a fast pace with reserved bravado, the leaders came around to the first mile marker with a clear gap on the chase pack, and Mason Swanson led the charging chase pack along with the likes of Rebecca Castillo (Volcano Vista), Reina Paredes (Rio Rancho), and Melia Macias (Eldorado). These girls gamely followed the winding course through soccer fields and around baseball fields, while the team race was narrowed down to a collective indomitable performance from the Rio Rancho Rams. The Rams steamrolled the girls race with five girls running under 20:00 minutes flat, and their performance impressively backs up their opening season victory at the Lobo Invitational. Newcomer Andi Almodovar continues her solid introduction to NM high school running with another fine performance, but she was outdone by the technical precision of Bernal’s final push in the last mile. Bernal’s smooth stride and steady rhythm punctuated her course record finish in 18:07, and served as the second consecutive victory in her short XC career. In surprising fashion, Eldorado’s Hix was overtaken by teammate Macias, as Macias used a swift kick to push past resurgent Swanson for 3rd place overall. Hix finished in 7th place overall with a time of 19:03.

It speaks the overall level of talent that athletes like Hix or Rio Rancho’s Molly Klein can be overshadowed by newer harriers eager to stake claim as elite performers. New Mexico’s high school running scene is deep with fast harriers, and these late September meets serve as a reminder to the bubbling talent percolating under the dense training programs around the state.

Girls Team Results:

  1. Rio Rancho                        49 pts                        AVG 19:06
  2. Eldorado                             67 pts                        AVG 19:33
  3. Volcano Vista                     80 pts                        AVG 19:44
  4. La Cueva                            89 pts                        AVG 19:51
  5. Cibola                                  104 pts                     AVG 20:06