New Mexico Girls Cross Country Countdown: #15 Belen


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.

#15 Belen Eagles

Belen could be the most improved squad going into the fall 2021 season as they could go far beyond their 6th place performance of last season. Led by freshmen Lisette Sanchez who claimed a 24th place finish at the state meet. Sofia Castillo is the lone upperclassmen on this returning roster as the Eagles bring back the youth with Sara Martinez (34th), Iris Silva (35th), and Shauncey Cordova (54th). It is quite the quandary that they do have so much potential but happen to reside in a relentless classification that does not back down. As much as this squad has room to improve they will inevitably run into challenges against the top of 4A including Los Alamos, ABQ Academy, and St. Pius X. It will be fun to see just how far Belen can improve as the next couple of seasons enough to break through onto the podium. The possibility of having four girls on the scoring five for the next three years, don't be surprised if Belen is hoisting their second blue trophy in program history very soon. 

4A Girls

2020 State Finish: 6th

State Titles: 2007

Individual State Titles: Arena Lewis (2015)

2021 Belen Rankings

New Mexico Ranking15th
4A Ranking5th
District 5-4A Ranking2nd


Top Returning Runners

NameGradePersonal Best (5K)Best State Finish

Lisette Sanchez

Fr22:2624th

Sofia Castillo

Sr22:4727th

Sara Martinez

Fr23:2334th

Iris Silva

So23:2435th

Shauncey Cordova

So25:3354th