NMAA State Cross Country Championship Preview: 5A Boys

DATE - March 26 - 27, 2021

Boys: A/2A Rankings I 3A Rankings I 4A Rankings I 5A Rankings

Meet Previews 

Boys: A/2A I 3A I 4A I 5A

Girls: A/2A I 3A I 4A I 5A 

Rio Rancho and Volcano Vista will attempt to end a dynasty

On Saturday we will find out if the coveted 4th straight 5A boys title is in store for Sue Cleveland. A team that traditionally just reloads talent onto the varsity level has done the same with additions of Santa Fe Indian's Chris Humetewa and utilizes regulars of the program in Ricardo Rangel, Jonathan Fragua, Caden Nunn, and Cody Toya. Rio Rancho has seen success thus far in the season with winning district led behind Cebastian Marquez. Also back for the Rams are Dawson Gunn(43rd)and Adam Donaldson(74th). Hobbs departed many runners for graduation last year but made it out of district 4-5A as Clovis took that meet fairly easily. Volcano Vista is the other half of that spoiler's aspect as they were state runner-ups last season and despite not competing with their top two runners from that season remain solid. No Tyler Nord(5th), no Aiden Davis(6th), no problem for the Hawks as they make it through district 2-5A. They now rely on some of the bottom scorers from last year with Stoney Cutchen, Jude Lucero, and Lucas Kedge. The Wildcats bring back the state runner-up Jerrick Maldonado(2nd) who just may be the best distance runner across the board if we add in his track accolades. Southern schools have been able to get in at least two more meets compared to their metro counterparts which may play a role for schools like 2019's 5th place Onate and even Alamogordo to challenge for podium spots.

Individuals

Jerrick Maldonado enters this championship as the leading man but others that could find themselves challenging include Celso Garcia of Alamogordo who finished 4th and even Onate's Brett Bybee who finished 10th. Both Garcia and Bybee were just one of the handful of sophomores at the time and will be competing on a new course that is flat and fast. Piedra Vista sends one runner in the formidable Makua Harvey(17th) who is coming off a good finish at district 1-5A meet. Sue Cleveland's Cody Toya is the top returner for the Storm and is likely to crack the top ten this time around. Sticking with the theme of southern schools, Onate's Adrian Villarreal will be in the mix along with the lone La Cueva Bear, Nathan Scherbarth. Also, a runner no stranger to state championships but this time competing among 5A ranks includes Storms' Chris Humetewa who finished 3rd among 3A schools last season for Santa Fe Indian.