#9 Shiprock Chieftains
Landing just ahead of district rivals Miyamura, Shiprock comes into this fall still just a step ahead of the rest of district 1-4A. We talked about how Miyamura brings back a solid group from last season including four seniors well the Chieftains bring back a mixed group of upper and lower classmen while also being just narrowly ahead as a team. The gap has certainly been reduced with the departure of some Shiprock state runners but they return a reliable trio including Orye Franklin (17th), Logan Pioche (18th), and Adam Phillips (43rd). We expect Nevaughn Begay to return to varsity ranks after the 93rd performance in 2019 and Ashton Bitsilly to see more time among possible scorers after sitting out with reduced team sizes. This team enters the realm of a borderline podium team but that also be misleading considering that gap between 3rd and 4th was separated by 37 points. Look for the Chieftains to contest for a higher team finish than last year while also fending off advancements from district schools.
4A Boys
2020 State Finish: 4th
State Titles: 1974, 2001
Individual State Champions: Vinny Thomas (1974) Lance Foster (1993) Herbert Beyale III (2011)
2021 Shiprock Rankings
| New Mexico Ranking | 9th |
| 4A Ranking | 4th |
| District 1-4A Ranking | 1st |
Top Returning Runners
| Name | Grade | Personal Best (5K) | Best State Finish |
| Sr | 17:27 | 17th | |
| Jr | 17:13 | 18th | |
| Sr | 19:18 | 43rd | |
| So | 19:25 | 93rd (2019) | |
| So | 21:38 | N/A |