Photo by Jaren Brooks
Cleveland Invitational
Is it really the start to the cross country season if the Cleveland Invitational hasn't taken place? Well this fall we can rejoice as the storm will be kicking things off in the last weekend of August with flat, fast, rust buster meet gathers the majority of the metro and a handful of neighboring towns to show early on who has been getting those summer workouts in and also those that wish they had.
8/26
Cleveland High School
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
UNM Lobo XC Invitational
9/16
Perhaps the first big contest between New Mexico schools of the season. UNM Lobo XC Invitational has a history of bringing together the big classification teams as a kick-off similar to Cleveland Invite with the ability to produce early season fast times.
Photo by Jaren Brooks
Rio Rancho Jamboree
9/23
Rio Rancho High School
Rio Rancho, New Mexico
The Rio Rancho Jamboree holds on to the title of "thee" meet to attend during the regular season in New Mexico. The Rams put on an event rare and this year will hopefully look similar to the past. Expect an abundance of schools to attend and although this will not be a precursor to the state championships, it will continue to be the marque race prior to championship action.
Organ Mountain Rob Winter Classic
9/30
Organ Mountain
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Don't get confused by the name, this will be the same Rob Winter Classic of years past. No longer Onate but instead Organ Mountain Knights set to host the classic meet that has typically in the past given them a precursor to successful late season. This meet gathers all surrounding Las Cruces schools and hosts some teams from across state lines including Deming, Gadsden, and other regional rivals. This meet has also garnered plenty of sub-16 minute performances for boys and sub-20 minutes for girls.
Photo by Chris Patton
Patason Amesoli Invitational
10/14
Gallup High School
Red Rock State Park, New Mexico
This is a unique opportunity for teams to journey to Zuni Pueblo's DY Mountain and take on the most accomplished cross country program in New Mexico history. That is the Patason Amesoli Invitational in a nutshell. This meet is more about racing and challenging terrain than it is for fast times. We could see some Arizona teams making the trek to compete and of course regional rivals like Tohatchi, Laguna Acoma, Miyamura and more.
Photo by Jaren Brooks
Academy Extravaganza
10/21
ABQ Academy
Albuquerque, New Mexico
This race has seen plenty of alterations in the past five years including adapting from a tune-up to Albuquerque Metro Championships that boasted some great races with metro-area schools inclusion of Los Alamos, Shiprock, Miyamura, and Laguna Acoma. This course has become a favorite by athletes for being fast among competitors along with scenic views and spectator-friendly. This will play as a precursor to the state championships and the course will be the only chance to see the championship course with the ideal competition.
Bronco Ridge Runner Invitational
10/27
Kirtland Central High School
Kirtland, New Mexico
Bronco Ridge Runner Invite is a staple among cross country in New Mexico along with perhaps one of the coolest of names for a meet. This Kirtland Central hosted event hosts northern New Mexico schools like Farmington and Piedra Vista along with rivals in Laguna Acoma, Shiprock, Wingate, Miyamura, Crownpoint, Rehoboth Christian, Santa Fe Indian, and company. This is the last tune-up meet prior to districts and has traditionally seen some great performances in recent memory.
Courtesy Los Alamos High School
Los Alamos Invitational
10/27
Los Alamos High School
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Along with the Bronco Ridge Runner, The Los Alamos Invitational will be the last chance to get some high-quality racing in prior to the district meets. The Hilltoppers have traditionally put on quite an event at the town golf course and have brought together teams from up north with a couple of premiere teams like Sue Cleveland Hope Christian and ABQ Academy in the past. We are confident this year's edition will once again live up to being one of those can't-miss meets.
Photo by Jaren Brooks
2023 NMAA State Cross Country Championships
11/11
ABQ Academy
Albuquerque, New Mexico
The NMAA State Cross Country Championships will be held in Albuquerque and hosted by the Chargers of ABQ Academy. This edition will optimistically see more teams qualified for the meet as well as a return for those schools that were sidelined with Covid precautions. We will get to see a packed Academy Campus as for now it appears all races will once again be held on a single Saturday with scenic views of Albuquerque as a backdrop to championship action.