Top New Mexico C/O 2027 Athletes to Watch in 2026

Athletes

Hershul Olloway: The junior from St. Pius X HS has had a good 2026 so far. Olloway currently leads the class of 2027 in both the 100m and 200m dash. At the Marylin Sepulveda Meet of Champions in mid-April, he set a new P.R in the 200m with a quick 21.76-second sprint. He is undefeated to date in the 2026 outdoor season for the 100m dash.

Sophia Cox: The Belen HS junior has been on a hot streak this spring. Cox holds the second-fastest times in the class of 2027 for the 100m, 200m, and 400m dashes. She's currently in the Top 5 for all three events in the state, regardless of class, and has yet to set a new P.R in her events this outdoor season. Keep your eye on the junior in the postseason.

Aaron Torres: Absolutely crushing the class of 2027 in the discus. He's the only junior in New Mexico to have tossed over 160-00.00 this season. Torres' P.R of 169-5.00 puts him at the #1 spot statewide regardless of class in the state. He's also a top competitor in the shot put, holding a P.R of 48-11.75 in the event. Good for a #3 mark in the class of 2027.

Raina Passalacqua: Has produced a very busy outdoor campaign. Passalacqua has competed in 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles, along with the high jump, long jump, and triple jump. Her bread and butter are the hurdles, both of which have seen a new P.R this season, thus securing her Top 3 marks in her class. She is also highly ranked among the class of 2027 in the jumps.

Kaleb Paquette: The fastest 800m runner in New Mexico for the class of 2027 and the #2 time regardless of class. Paquette is just shy of taking over the #1 spot and is one of two sub-1:55 runners for the 800m in the state. The Silver HS junior is one of the state's most versatile athletes. He has competed in the 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1600m this season. Paquette has set a new P.R in each of the four events.

Grace Erinle: A junior from ABQ Academy in Albuquerque. Has set a new P.R in the 100m dash and the triple jump this season, securing the top mark in the class of 2027 for both events. Has also competed in the 200m dash and long jump, where she also holds a class lead for New Mexico. She's a returning state meet champion and currently undefeated in the 200m and triple jump.

Billy Romero: Might be the best 1600m/3200m combo athlete in New Mexico this season. He recently ran a new P.R of 9:05.10 at the Arcadia Invitational in California, taking on some of the best athletes in the West region of the United States. His new P.R was enough to land him the #1 class of 2027 time in the 3200m run. Also holds the #2 time for his class in the 1600m run.