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.

#11 Aztec Tigers

Aztec enters the season close to landing on the podium but still has some work to do if they want to close the gap. They will rely on senior Ashley Sexton who finished 19th after departing Sierra Villanueva (10th). Sexton will be joined by Brooke Willcox (29th), Mary Kate Villarrial (37th), and Ella Higgins (67th) as the remaining state runners from this spring. The Tigers were a team that was relying on everyone last season to garner a 4th place finish. Now without their top scorer, it is hard to see them surpassing a certain school for a 3rd place finish this fall. They also shouldn't dip in team standings as they remain a district 1-4A favorite while also remaining certainly one of the best programs in 4A. Expect the Tigers to remain competitive if they can reload their depth they immediately become a team to watch out for.

4A Girls

2020 State Finish: 4th

State Titles: 0

Individual State Champions: Amy Swier (1993,1994,1995,1996)

2021 Aztec Rankings

New Mexico Ranking	11th
4A Ranking	4th
District 1-4A Ranking	1st

Top Returning Runners

Name	Grade	Personal Best (5K)	Best State Finish
Ashley Sexton	Sr	21:35	19th
Brooke Willcox	So	23:00	29th
Mary Kate Villarrial	So	22:46	37th
Ella Higgins	Sr	22:23	67th