2021 Spring Curtis Williams Invitational kicks off XC Season


Gallup's Theodore Roundface finishing his race in 1st place 

On a brisk Saturday morning, only two days shy of March is where cross country action kicked off at the Spring Curtis Williams Invitational. The theme of the day was adapting to new safety protocols, courses absent of spectators narrowed starts and finishing chutes have disappeared. Yet with the bare minimum of what we have come to familiarize with the sport, what remains is the diligent meet staff that came together to ensure competition, comradery among teammates to cheer on one another throughout the race, and the sheer will power that these athletes possess when overcoming obstacles in their path. 

Schools that competed included Miyamura, Gallup, Tohatchi, Navajo Pine, Crownpoint, Thoreau, and Ramah.

 Per the Governor's orders, masks must be worn by everyone in attendance. Athletes participating must wear a mask during the competition. Waivers shall not be accepted. Masks cannot be removed during competition or thrown on the course at any time.

2021 Spring Curtis Williams Invitational Results -2021 Spring Curtis Williams Invitational Photos2019 Curtis Williams Invitational ResultsNM Results Central

On the boys' side, Miyamura and Tohatchi ran enough boys for a scoring five with Miyamura's runners all falling within the top 11 finishers. Tayan Benson separated himself early on from the pack claiming his first win of the year in 19:02 (nearly a minute ahead of 2nd place finisher). Following behind Benson were teammate George Piestewa and Gallup freshmen Theodore Roundface.

BOYS 5000 METER RUN FINALS	
PLACE	ATHLETE		TEAM	RESULT	POINTS
1	Tayan Benson	11	Miyamura High School	19:02.76	1
2	George Piestewa	11	Miyamura High School	20:01.76	2
3	Theodore Roundface	9	Gallup High School	20:05.03	0
4	Melvin Scott	11	Tohatchi High School	20:42.60	3
5	Jimmie Chavez III	11	Tohatchi High School	20:43.75	4
6	Shance Johnson-Hood	11	Miyamura High School	21:32.15	5
7	Sergio Chavarria	11	Miyamura High School	21:41.87	6
8	Micah Tsosie	12	Navajo Pine High School	21:50.21	0
9	Kendon Augare-Deal	9	Gallup High School	22:22.36	0
10	Lane Begay	12	Thoreau High School	22:22.36	0
11	Mckay Evans	11	Ramah High School	22:27.66	0
12	Kordell Mcmillan	11	Crownpoint High School	22:45.44	0
13	Ladainian Willie	11	Crownpoint High School	22:45.62	0
14	Wesley Donaldson	9	Navajo Pine High School	23:09.77	0
15	Rodney Joe	10	Tohatchi High School	23:37.96	7
16	Kiefer Yazzie	11	Thoreau High School	23:57.59	0
17	Josiah Livingston	12	Gallup High School	24:16.03	0
18	Jared Peterson	9	Tohatchi High School	24:46.33	8
19	Louis Bear Eagle	11	Thoreau High School	25:38.03	0
20	Joshua Helfenbein	9	Miyamura High School	25:53.16	9
21	Chandler Whitman	10	Miyamura High School	26:06.59	10
22	Brandon Henry	11	Miyamura High School	26:19.93	11
23	Karlisle Francisco	12	Navajo Pine High School	27:57.06	0
24	Jacob Yazzie	9	Tohatchi High School	39:01.08	12

On the girls' side, A more traditional team competition took place with Miyamura overcoming a challenge from Gallup, Crownpoint, and Ramah's scoring five. Similar to Benson but more dominant in her approach, Lorianna Piestewa was in her own realm as she claimed a two-minute and twenty-five-second margin of victory. Just look at this finishing stride as she stormed down the final stretch (see below). Crownpoint's Tyra Tsosie and Tohatchi's WynterRose Sheka finished out the top 3.

GIRLS 5000 METER RUN FINALS	
PLACE	ATHLETE		TEAM	RESULT	POINTS
1	Lorianna Piestewa	9	Miyamura High School	22:55.51	1
2	Tyra Tsosie	9	Crownpoint High School	25:20.77	2
3	WynterRose Sheka	8	Tohatchi High School	25:31.31	0
4	Kaleia Vicenti	12	Miyamura High School	26:02.54	3
5	Jordan Watson	12	Gallup High School	26:47.83	4
6	Merisha Long	9	Gallup High School	27:27.89	5
7	Aleeya Lambson	9	Ramah High School	27:29.54	6
8	TaSheena Thompson	11	Miyamura High School	28:13.14	7
9	Kaleigh Shorty	11	Crownpoint High School	28:22.35	8
10	Brook Badonie	9	Tohatchi High School	28:27.98	0
11	Lydia Lambson	8	Ramah High School	28:44.08	9
12	Shanell Edsitty	11	Thoreau High School	28:46.60	0
13	Janaya Tom	10	Crownpoint High School	28:57.58	10
14	Talia Blackgoat	9	Gallup High School	29:45.45	11
15	Shanoah Platero	10	Miyamura High School	30:29.85	12
16	Jaymi Watson	10	Gallup High School	30:56.60	13
17	Shamika Maria	12	Ramah High School	31:20.84	14
18	Yanibah Begay	10	Gallup High School	31:41.21	15
19	LarrAnn Delgarito	9	Thoreau High School	32:59.07	0
20	Janay Peterson	8	Tohatchi High School	34:38.79	0
21	Jalynn Lucario	10	Crownpoint High School	34:46.27	16
22	Penelope Maria	9	Ramah High School	35:02.01	17
23	Iinanibah Johnson	9	Crownpoint High School	35:33.39	18
24	Erin Henry	10	Miyamura High School	36:34.69	19
25	Aubrey Tah	10	Miyamura High School	37:21.14	20
26	Aliyah Gorman	12	Navajo Pine High School	42:09.76	0
27	Bailey Adeky	8	Ramah High School	43:04.38	21
28	Rolonda Chacho	12	Thoreau High School	44:39.39	0
29	Loxitawny Cambell	9	Miyamura High School	47:58.50	22

Looking ahead 

The most notable crutch being quite visible is the mandatory mask requirement that unfortunately will hinder athlete performance. To witness competitive races with medical masks on athletes is something I never could have imagined becoming reality until actually witnessing it. From the body language of the runners, you can see the awkwardness, the fatigue of such a liability, and still, the performances were phenomenal given the circumstances. To consider every athlete is on the same playing field and handling the cards NM runners have been dealt. Throwing times out the window, for the time being, we can expect the same level of competitiveness from district rivals, cross-state foes, and even teammate battles just as we have in the past.  

Meets coming up include a meet hosted by NMMI in Roswell, while the Totah XC Invite and Kirtland Bronco Ridge Runner up north as the remaining schools gear up for action a week out from districts.