RIO RANCHO, NEW MEXICO- In five days, Gatorade will announce the winner of the 2025-26 Female Cross Country New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year which should be followed up quickly by the 2025-26 Male Cross Country New Mexico Gatorade Player of the Year. So, it felt like a good time to make some predictions for who should be in contention for both awards.
For the record, we are not involved with the GPOY voting committee. This is a predictive piece made by the MileSplit New Mexico outlet.
Here are five male New Mexico athletes who we believe are the top contenders for the award. I will also share my prediction for who I believe will win the honor.
BREAKDOWN OF ATHELETES
Albuquerque Academy's Nicholas Ponte (senior)- the Harvard commit came in first place in every New Mexican event, earning the individual triple crown: district champion, Metro champion, and state champion. He capped off the XC season with a 15:03.29 PR at the Nike Cross Nationals Southwest Regional Nov. 22, 2025.
La Cueva's Nikko Mihan (senior)- Mihan had a stellar season that included three first place finishes, an individual district title, and a PR of 15:08.40. Mihan was very methodical when attacking a course, and the senior runner was a top contender in every single race.
Cleveland's Lucas Espinosa (senior)- Espinosa was always running in the top of the pack, battling for every second. This season, Espinosa never finished lower than fourth place in any New Mexico meet. He also had two first place finishes: the Macen Holderman Cleveland Invite with a time of 15:05.9 (PR) & at the 5A state championships with a time of 15:13.70.
Taos' Judah Daffron (senior)- Daffron had a nice season finishing in first place twice, was the individual district champion, and recorded the fastest time in New Mexico for the 2025 cross country season. During the Volcano Vista Invite Oct. 10, 2025, the Army West Point commit ran a 14:33.0.
Navajo Prep's Elijah England (junior)- England's resume this season includes five first place finishes, an individual district crown, and an individual state title. England also recorded two of the top 10 fastest times for the 2025 New Mexico XC season.
MY PREDICTION
*DISCLAIMER: IF I AM WRONG, THE WINNER OF THE GPOY MAY PIE ME IN THE FACE ON VIDEO.
Danny's Prediction- ABQ Academy's Nicholas Ponte