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The 2026 New Mexico Track and Field season is here, and the state's sprinters are poised to deliver one of the most competitive years in recent memory.
-- Nicholas Ponte -- by Joe Grimando
Below, we highlight the top distance runners from this past month. These athletes have commenced their season with a strong start.
Boys
Elliot Hickey (ABQ Academy): So far shows strong early progression across multiple distance events, highlighted by a 1:56.03 800m, which ranks him #1 in New Mexico. Has also posted solid marks in longer events, including a new P.R of 4:16 for 1600m (also a NM #1 this season) and 9:50 for 3200m, demonstrating versatility from middle-distance to distance. Began 2026 with an indoor mile around 4:28, then quickly transitioned into a busy outdoor schedule competing in the 400m through 3200m range.
Nicholas Ponte (ABQ Academy): Has only raced at two invitationals this outdoor season, but has already established himself as a top competitor. Ponte has the #1 time in New Mexico for the 3200m after his 9:10.17 performance in mid-March. He is #2 in the 1600m and one of two sub-4:20 milers in New Mexico this season.
Elijah England (Navajo Prep HS): Opened 2026 with a notable 4:22.82 indoor mile, showing improvement from his previous outdoor best in the 1600m. He remains competitive across multiple distance events, with established marks of 1:59.10 (800m), 4:25.19 (1600m), and 9:31.19 (3200m), indicating a balanced middle-distance to distance profile. Overall, England enters the 2026 outdoor season as a top returning member of the class of 2027.
Billy Romero (Taos HS): Ripped a 4:24.12 1600m, which ranks him #1 in the state for the Class of 2027 and among the overall state leaders. He has also shown strong range with a 9:22.06 3200m, placing him Top 3 statewide in the 3200m combo rankings. Romero has emerged early in 2026 as a top-tier Class of 2027 distance runner with both speed and endurance, positioning himself as a major contender at the state level.
Anna Hastings (ABQ Academy): Currently the top 3200m runner in New Mexico, highlighted by her 10:29.20 P.R. She leads the state in the 1600m-3200m combo rankings (4:56/10:29), showing her ability to run both mid-distance and distance events. In addition to her distance success, she has shown range with a 1:00.18 in the 400m, placing her among the top sprinter-distance hybrids in her class.
-- Mariah Galbraith -- by Tim McDonald
Mariah Galbraith (Rio Rancho HS): Scored new personal bests of 5:09.59 (1600m) and 10:56.17 (3200m), both set in March. She has quickly risen to the top of her class, ranking #1 among New Mexico Class of 2028 runners in both 1600m and 3200m runs. Also sits in the Top 3 statewide regardless of class in both events. Her performances at major meets like the Chandler Rotary Invitational and early-season invitationals show strong consistency across the 800m-3200m range.
Lena Coombs (Organ Mountain HS): Just a freshman, Coombs has already dipped under 2:30 for the 800m. She's currently leading the class of 2030 in this event and is ranked #5 statewide. Also has a 5:40.94 attached to her name for the 1600m run, good enough to lead her grade in this event as well.
Ensley Jorgenson (Los Alamos HS): Has shown clear progression as a developing mid-distance and distance runner, competing in events from the 800m up top the 3200m. She's among New Mexico's top runners in the class of 2027 early in the season. Has competed at a high level beyond the state, running 5:14.07 for 1600m at The TEN meet in Southern California, indicating continued improvement and competitiveness against stronger fields.
