New Mexico Cross Country Countdown Series

The New Mexico Cross Country Countdown breaks down the top 25 New Mexico boys and girls teams returning this fall. These rankings will include projected top runners and weighing how each team may do in their respective districts and state competitions. Changes to class alignments and adaptions to the state championship format have been taken into consideration. These rankings are based on past two seasons of performances and do not include teams that did not compete last year due to a lack of athletes and team information. All top returning runners are only projections and may include athletes no longer on the team due to transfer or out-of-state relocation.

#20 Sandia Prep Sundevils

The Sundevils enter this fall as one of the few schools likely to consist of a predominately senior squad led by Nahom Zerai. Along with Zerai other returning runners from the class of 2022 include Mac Manzanares, Chad Cordova, and Javin Felipi. Sandia Prep did finish in 6th place in the team standings while technically tied with St.Michaels at 73 points and just one point shy of 4th place Newcomb. Zerai will be looking to follow in the footsteps of older brother Epherem Zerai who took the individual 3A title back in 2018. While other schools in 3A will take a step back with graduations the Sundevils return a solid group while only departing Stephen Emeanuwa who finished 32nd at the state meet in March. Despite being projected 4th among their classification going into this season, it's completely in the realm of possibility that Sandia Prep could be sitting on the podium come November.

3A Boys

2020 State finish: 6th

State Titles: 0

Individual State Champions: Epherem Zerai (2018)

2021 Sandia Prep Rankings

New Mexico Ranking	20th
3A Ranking	5th
District 5-3A Ranking	2nd

Top Returning Runner

Name	Grade	Personal Best (5k)	Best State Finish
Nahom Zerai	Sr	17:35	11th
Mac Manzanares	Sr	18:42	18th
Chad Cordova	Sr	21:15	35th
Javin Felipi	Sr	23:49	41st