The Los Alamos Hilltoppers will be toeing the line at the Desert Twilight Invitational in Casa Grande, Arizona Friday Evening. Photo by Rod Stanopeiwicz.
Race invitations have been sent, accepted, and the dates draw near. Let’s take a look at how this weekend’s racing action breaks down.
Thursday
Things were kicked off this in the Artesia Bulldog Invitational. Drawing from much of the southeast corner, its most notable participant is the Super Cinco #3 Ranked Hobbs Boys. The Eagles are a week removed since shellacking West Texas and look to continue their torrid pace.
FRIDAY
Two races mark the beginning of the weekend, starting in Albuquerque at Bullhead Park with the Highland Invitational. While pulling from much of the Albuquerque Public Schools, one team to accept an invitation north is the Clovis Wildcats. Like Hobbs, the Lady Wildcats are a week removed from taking down much of West Texas at the Lubbock Invite, and look to test themselves against many of the Metro Schools.
For the second race of the day, we head out-of-state, and travel down to the Arizona Grande Sports Complex in Casa Grande, Arizona for the Desert Twilight XC Festival. Representing New Mexico this year are Los Alamos (Super Cinco #3 Girls and #4 Boys), Piedra Vista, Rio Rancho (Super Cinco #1 Girls/Boys), Shiprock, and St. Michael’s. It’ll be interesting to see how NM’s #1 Ranked Team’s perform against the larger Arizona Programs.
SATURDAY
By last count, six races are slated across the state. Let’s start in the north, and work our way south.
Just north of the border, some San Juan County teams may be found at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds for the Montezuma-Cortez Ancient Trails 5k Invitational. For most Four Corner teams, this Invite marks the completion of the Middle School Season.
Just a bit south in the longitudinal readings, we find the Santa Fe Indian School John Grimley Invitational in the Santo Domingo Pueblo. This one is always a great time, and adding to that fun will be the Taos Tiger (Super Cinco #5 Girls).
Further south and westward brings us to Red Rock State Park and the Curtis Williams Invitational (or the Gallup Bengal Invitational as it’s list on Maxpreps). Miyamura’s Niles Thomas looks to start October the same way he left September, crossing the finish line first.
Over to the Albuquerque Metro brings us to the La Cueva XC Invitational—Bear Cave Brawl. Based on the eight team field assembled, this one could definitely live up to its moniker. Will Natasha Bernal continue to keep a clean sheet this month? Additionally, Lovington also accepted an invitation north. The Alexis Mata-led Wildcats will get an early October preview of racing 1,400 ft. higher than what they are used to.
Continuing down the South Valley is the Valencia XC Invitational. Similar to the Belen Adron Gardner Meet, if gritty front running is your forte, then this is where you want to be. Estancia’s Jakob Bernal will join notable front-runners Arena Lewis and Aaron Valenzuela (Belen), as well as Carisma Lovato (Valencia).
The southernmost race will be found in Las Cruces at the Onate Rob Winter XC Invitational. With 27 teams scheduled to toe the line, this will be the biggest race of the day. New Mexico Milesplit will be providing a meet summary and photos of this event.
And that’s it. Race day is here, so let’s get spiked and psyched!