NMAA A-2A: GIRLS 5K RUN - STATE FINALS
Oak Grove Classical Captures Girls State Cross Country Crown; Marquez Runs Away with Individual Title
A blend of youth and poise carried the Oak Grove Classical Academy Lady Owls to their first-ever team state championship, led by sophomore Olivia Marquez, who stormed to victory in the Class 1A/2A Girls 5000-Meter Finals on Saturday. Marquez clocked 20:06.60 to take the individual state title - more than ten seconds clear of runner-up Mia Smith of Laguna-Acoma High School (20:18.20). Her win set the tone for a balanced Oak Grove lineup that packed tightly and closed the door early on the field.
The Lady Owls posted 59 team points with an impressive 21:36 average and a 2:48 spread, placing four of their scorers in the top 20: Kalena Goldie (8th, 21:00.80), Vivian Lee (12th, 21:48.60), and Adelyne Danner (16th, 22:10.90).
Pecos High School delivered a strong team effort to claim runner-up honors with 90 points, led by senior Maria Roybal's fourth-place finish (20:29.00) and solid support from Ermalinda Sanchez (19th, 22:22.30) and Maddison Muller (21st, 22:34.40). The Panthers' 2:34 spread reflected the tight-knit depth that propelled them past larger schools in the field. McCurdy Charter School finished third with 118 points, anchored by Marisol Serna (6th, 20:41.90) and strong top-20 finishes from Avery Knight (20th, 22:33.90) and Isabella Archuleta (23rd, 22:41.50).
Other notables included Cambrie Gonzales of Peñasco (9th, 21:02.90) and Trista Chavez of Jemez Valley (7th, 20:52.80), each breaking into the elite top 10.