Jordan Spencer figures on any short list of seniors who would have had a big impact at this year's 5A state meet.
From where we sit now, it's impossible to say what would have been this spring without COVID-19. But we can say that some team would have won a 5A state title. And, it's likely that team would have been led by some important senior contributors.
So, what I've done in this article is to take a look at the marks from 2019 to determine which teams might have been in the hunt and which seniors may have been paving the way for those teams. We won't get a chance to see those seniors compete again as high schoolers, but we can use our imaginations a little.
Going alphabetically...
Alamogordo - The Tigers got in two meets before the season was called. And Alamogordo showed they would be a force to be reckoned with. Seniors leading the way for the Tigers had the season continued would likely have been sprinters Kameron Bebin (also a jumper), William Gil, and Julio Mendoza, hurdler Bryson Kangas, and throwers Shane Sargent and Kayden Lococo.
Carlsbad - The Cavemen haven't always been high on the list of New Mexico's top track and field programs, but this year might have changed much of that. Seniors set to make an impact included middle distance type Kevin Calvani, hurdler Caleb Macias, thrower JR Rocha, high jumper Chidera Ojiaku, and pole vaulter Riley Hestand.
Clovis - The Wildcats are one team you immediately think of when you project who had a shot to win it all this spring. And, if that opportunity does not come around again for the Wildcats, it would be largely because of the seniors that won't be back to compete again in high school track and field. Among those are sprinter Ethan Culliver, distance runner TJ Gregg, hurdler/jumper Kris Byrd, throwers Zecheriah Gonzales and Bryce Cabledue, and jumpers Ro Morgan-Haskins, Malik Phillips, Brandon Mason, and Darion Morgan. Clovis loses a bundle.
La Cueva - In terms of contributions from a single individual, nobody loses more than La Cueva. Connor O'Toole had the top returning marks in the 100, 200, 110H, and 300H. The only other Bear senior with a reasonable shot at scoring at state would be pole vaulter Declan Sanchez.
Rio Rancho - The Rams are never far out of the hunt, and this spring would have proved to be no exception. Rio Rancho would have been looking for big contributions from middle distance type Keilan Jones, hurdler/jumper Jordan Spencer, and throwers Tyler Barb and Timothee Sarrazy.
Sue Cleveland - The Storm will lose their share as well. Among those who figured to be battling for state points this spring were sprinter Anthony Bisetti, distance runners Lucas Loe and Lucas Futey, hurdler Hunter Sommer, throwers Charles Law and Tres Villapando.
Volcano Vista - The Hawks have proven themselves one of the top track and field programs in New Mexico. They, too, would have been hunting for a crown. Seniors projected to lead the way would include sprinter Ivan Rodriguez, hurdler Ethan Vasquez, thrower Alberto Cabral, and sprinter/jumper Isaac Chavez.
