NMAA 4A: BOYS 5K RUN - STATE FINALS
ABQ Academy Reclaims 4A Cross Country Crown; Ponte Blazes to Individual Title
The dynasty is alive and well. The Albuquerque Academy Chargers left no doubt in the Class 4A Boys State Cross Country Championship, cruising to the team title with 36 points, as senior Nicholas Ponte captured the individual championship in a commanding 15:18.80.
Ponte surged to the front and never looked back, holding a 27-second margin over Taos HS senior Judah Daffron (15:46.30) and Taos HS junior Billy Romero (15:54.00). His victory marked one of the fastest times recorded on the course and led an Academy squad that placed four of their scorers in the top 10. Andrew Kevan (7th, 16:14.30), Callahan Camp (9th, 16:23.20), Diego Friedrich (10th, 16:29.20), and Leo McGuire (17th, 16:59.10) sealed the Chargers' championship performance. Their 1:40 split and 16:16 average underscored the depth that has defined Academy's cross-country powerhouse for years.
Los Alamos High School finished second with 56 points, paced by Kaj Maupin (6th, 16:11.40) and a tight pack that put all five scorers in the top 20. Their 57-second spread demonstrated classic Hilltopper consistency. St. Pius X High School claimed third with 94 points, led by sophomore Silas Brown (8th, 16:21.60) and freshman Mateo Sanchez (19th). Kirtland Central (115) and Taos High School (126) rounded out the top five, with Taos' Daffron and Romero both cracking the top three individually.
Other standout performances included Ean Elias of Valencia (4th, 15:54.30) and Kaden Lapahie of Shiprock (5th, 16:11.20), both finishing inside the elite top six.