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 Alamogordo Tigers

Alamogordo knows how to remain always around as a contender as the years pass and rosters change. Celso Garcia has been a part of that consistency that has him as one of the top runners in the state with a 3rd place performance and sub-16-minute 5k to his list of accolades. Garcia will be joined by Omar Enriquez (38th), Angel Avila (61st) as returners from last season's state team. From there they will look upon newcomers Isaiah Dalmas and possibly a return to the scene for hurdler/high jumper Gabe Kotter who finished 103rd in 2019. It's this depth of the Tigers to makes it hard to pass on them not landing another top-five finish. They are sure to find some key pieces to add to a team accustom to the podium. They will try to keep teams like Organ Mountain at bay while also hoping to knock off at least two teams from districts like 2-5A and 1-5A.

5A Boys

2020 State Finish: 3rd

State Titles: 0

Individual State Champions: Robert Golightly (1972)

2021 Alamogordo Rankings

New Mexico Ranking	11th
5A Ranking	5th
District 3-5A Ranking	1st

Top Returning Runners

Name	Grade	Personal Best (5K)	Best State Finish
Celso Garcia	Sr	15:41	3rd (2019)
Omar Enriquez	So	17:47	38th
Angel Avila	Jr	18:41	61st
Isaiah Dalmas	Jr	19:48	N/A
Gabe Kotter	Sr	17:47	103rd (2019)