Last Week in New Mexico XC: Sept. 14-21

Belen Adron Gardner Classic

Front running was the name of the game at the Adron Gardner Classic. In the second duel of Arena Lewis and Carisma Lovato, Lewis came out on top running 19:08 to Lavato’s 19:16. But it was Lavato’s Lady Jaguars who won the team battle, topping the six team field with 36 points.

In the Boys race, Aaron Valenzula threw the hammer down, running 16:08. His 52 second victory helped his Eagles to the Home Meet victory.

Canutillo Invitational

It was a rough day for the Alamogordo Tigers. As New Mexico’s lone representative, the Tigers finished 15^th in the Boys race, and 11^th in the Girls.

Cleveland XC Invitational

Nick Martinez provides great coverage below.

Cobre Invitational

Minus a few of their Varsity Scorers, the Onate Knights came away with two Team Runner-up finishes.

Renee Baldwin picked up where Meghan Aguileria left off, racing to a 20 second individual win, and Thomas Salas was the lone New Mexican to break up El Paso-Eastwood’s stranglehold of the Top 5 places.

Laguna-Acoma Invitational

Jacob Sanchez, Justin Chino and Joshua Garcia led the way for the Laguna-Acoma Hawks with a 1, 2, 3 finish as the hosts easily distanced themselves in the team standing 16-63 over Jemez Valley

In the Girls Race, it was a tight battle between the host Lady Hawks and Cottonwood Classical, with the Lady Hawks edging their visitors 37-42. Jemez Valley’s Valene Madalena took top individual honors with a 31 second victory running 23:05.

Pagosa Springs Wolf Creek Invitational

Wolf Creek Pass is located at 10,857 ft. My suspicion is there are hills in this race. Regardless, both Desert Academy and Farmington High braved the altitude.

Desert Academy’s Jeremy Hartse and Farmington Tanin McDermott secured 9^th and 10^th place finishes in the Boys Race.

In Girls Race, Desert Academy’s Taylor Bacon took top honors with a 22:55, while her teammate, Eliza Donahue finished 6^th. Farmington’s Melina McDermott also finished in the Top 10 running 25:07.

Shiprock Cross Country Invitational

Zuni showed they are ready for 4A by securing a 21 point team victory over larger schools Piedra Vista, Miyamura and host Shiprock. The Thunderbirds were powered by Tre Riley, Cody Latone, and Vincent Yunkestine who all placed in the Top 10. Despite Niles Thomas running 16:20 and Nicolas Jamison finishing in 16:42, taking the top two spots, the Miyamura Patriots placed third.

Led by Lacey Howe 20:13 2nd place finish, the Shiprock Lady Chieftains authoritatively defended home turf with a 28-80 team win over the Miyamura Lady Patriots. While only September, the Lady Chieftains have to be considered serious title contenders.

Wingate Bun Buster XC Invitational

The results from this meet bring to mind a discussion on the Coaches messageboard regarding courses. The Wingate Bears definitely know how to have their course live up to its namesake.
The 3.9k shortened distance in the Girls race saw a tight finish between Thoreau’s Tara Waltman and Wingate’s Chantel Yazzie. Whitman outdistanced Yazzie by three seconds, helping her team to the victory.

In the Boys race, Thoreau’s Montana Miller ran a bun busting 20:41. Miller’s 31 second victory helped the Hawks make a clean sweep of the race titles.