16) Megan Reader Los Alamos 3 1047.52
17) Amanda Kerr Kirtland Central 6 1047.18
18) Holly Walker Los Alamos 5 1046.88
19) Anna Olesinski Roswell 5 1046.19
34) MeganDunlapAcademy 6 1019.64
36) Tessa Turcotte St Pius 7 1019.19
45) Gael Sanchez St Pius 7 1006.68
Clara Milne lone defeat of the season came at the Liberty Bell meet where she clocked an amazing 17:57 for 5K. She is unbeaten in New Mexico and been dominant all season. She will come in to state as the heavy favorite but has not faced 4A defending champion Jackie Campos in 2008. Campos is also unbeaten vs. New Mexico Competition. Her biggest win was in the RioRanchoJamboreeBigSchool race where she ran same time as St. Mike’s Kate Norskog (winner of the SmallSchool race.) Norskog is 0 for 3 vs. Milne this season. Julia Foster, 4A champion in 2006, is the best #2 girl in the state. This has been Foster’s most consistent cross country season. Amanda Kerr and Jan Olesinski (3rd in 2007) both have a bagful of wins but have not faced the top 4A competition. Los Alamos’s triple threat of Megan Reader, Ariana Rowberry and Holly Walker (4A runner up in 2007) are dangerous because the Hilltoppers have a history of running well at state meet.
Boys Individual
Gang Green
Power Rankings
1) Gilna, Los Alamos
2) Zacharias, Academy
3) Pittman, Los Alamos
4) Torres, St. Pius X
5) Clark, Academy
6) Longenbaugh, Academy
7) Gustafson, Los Alamos
8) Wynn, Academy
9) Lauriello, Academy
10) Murray, Academy
3) Gareth Gilna Los Alamos 5 1075.39
4) Kyle Pittman Los Alamos 4 1060.86
Gareth Gilna has had an impressive 2008 campaign (highlights include Wins at Los Alamos and Jaguar and runner up performances at UNM, Academy and Liberty Bell). He is the favorite but he faces many dangerous threats. Gilna’s biggest threat (literally and figuratively) could come be Pat Zacharias (the 6’5” top returnee from 2007). Zacharias has suffered through injuries all year long but looks to be healthy and strong at the right time.Kyle Pittman’s DNR at Los Alamos and questionable performance at district creates some doubt but he should be healthy enough to get into top five.Doug “Cupcake” Torres will be looking to break-up the Red and Green party on the podium. He could finish as high as second but I am picking him fourth.
Girls Team
Gang Green
Power Rankings
1) Academy
2) St. Pius X
3) Los Alamos
4) Belen
5) Shiprock
1) Academy 6 1360.41
6) St Pius 7 1241.95
7) Los Alamos 5 1238.64
10) Belen 8 1177.25
17) Shiprock 7 1068.15
23) Piedra Vista 4 1017.53
24) Artesia 5 1015.41
Academy is the strongest team in New Mexico this year. They are fast up front with Milne and Foster; and they are deep. Their next three runners (Paige Throckmorton, Amanda Throckmorton and Megan Dunlap) are all capable of finishing in the top 10. (Although it is unlikely that all three will do so) It will take a meltdown for the Chargers to be upset. St. Pius X and Los Alamos will be ready if Academy slips. St. Pius X has been a solid force all year long. Their pack is impressive but they will need some front running help to hold of the Hilltoppers who can place 3 runners in the top 10. A late season injury to Aleona Reyes derailed Belen’s chances of repeating.
Boys Team
Gang Green
Power Rankings
1) Academy
2) Los Alamos
3) Grants
4) Piedra Vista
5) Artesia
1) Academy 6 1552.18
3) Los Alamos 5 1428.68
18) Grants 7 1122.54
21) Piedra Vista 4 1055.28
24) St Pius 7 1029.07
25) Artesia 6 1026.49
29) Del Norte 8 1009.45
In an effort to “Go Green” I will recycle a line from State Meet Pre-View’s past, “In the 4A race we all know it’s going to rain Green and Red; we just don’t know the order.” Look for Academy and Los Alamos to take home 9 of the 10 individual medals.Academy comes in as the favorites but the Red Army will not take the “LA Boys” lightly. If Kyle Pitman can return to form, the Hilltoppers could take the top two spots and make it a 3 on 5 race the rest of the way. This may be the deepest Academy team ever and they have proven their worth all season. Grants should take the green third place trophy but they will not defeat any other trophy team in the combined scores.