NMAA State Cross Country Championship Preview: 3A Boys

Justin Howey Cottonwood Classical (photo by Jaren Brooks)

3A Boys race is completely wide open

Cottonwood Classical has by default seemingly been plunged into the role of favorites leading up to this championship. Defending state champ Zuni who scored a phenomenal 23 points is out, along with runner-up Santa Fe Indian, Laguna Acoma (moved down to A/2A), Santa Fe Prep, and Navajo Prep. Not only does Cottonwood Classical bring the most returners back but possesses the most complete squad. When it comes to teams that could challenge, Tohatchi who finished behind Cottonwood at 8th, and Hot Springs who finished 11th could be in the mix. Also, a team that we haven't seen much of that may turn some heads is Sandia Prep. At the moment, Cottonwood Classical is the team to beat in 3A boys race and we could be talking about a possible two titles for both boys and girls teams on Friday. 

Individuals 

Justin Howey is the man entering this season as he was state runner-up in 2019 and seemingly the only boy willing to chase Zuni's Deshawn Goodwin through a difficult pace. Tohatchi's Melvin Scott can be expected in the front pack alongside Kordell McMillian of Crownpoint. New Mexico Military Institute's Lance Miller and Sandia Prep's Nahom Zerai. This is of course a classification that has lost many runners that competed in the last championship with a mix of graduations, opt-outs, and possible transfers. Look for familiar faces to being top finishers along with a handful of newcomers.

3A State Qualifiers 

Teams	Individual Qualifiers
Cottonwood Classical	Taylor Quintana Bosque
Hot Springs	Kordell McMillan Crownpoint
Newcomb	Tylon Tsosie Crownpoint
NMMI	Clayton Chavez Cuba
Sandia Prep	Henry Dewey East Mountain
St. Michael's	Connor Adams Raton
Tohatchi	Chance Kamp Raton
	Chase Kamp Raton
	Robinson Ford Socorro
	Luther Richardson Socorro
	Emmanuel Hernandez Tucumcari