One of the most satisfying things about running a MileSplit site is to sit back at the end of the week and review the results from the week gone by.
So, with this week, we begin the tradition of the weekly review article in New Mexico. Not only is it weekly, but in this case, it's a little weakly, too, as I know I'm missing results from a couple of meets. But, we'll do what we can for now and keep encouraging those other meets to send in the results. Momentum will continue to build if we stay the course.
I'm still continuing to collect results from the Cleveland Invitational. If I get enough, I'll add a piece at the end of this article about that meet later in the week. Artesia Relays? No word yet.
Andress Invitational
Las Cruces, Onate, Santa Teresa, and Mayfield had geographic reasons to be here. Rio Rancho, on the other hand, was undoubtedly tipped off to upcoming weather conditions for central New Mexico for Saturday, and the Rams headed south along I-25 all the way across the mesquite barrens to the west Texas town of El Paso. Who they fell in love with there is anyone's guess.
It ended up being a very nice day for Santa Teresa distance runners Regina Marquez and Britani Gonzales. Gonzales won the 800, while Marquez went second twice, once each in the 1600 and 3200. Santa Teresa would have been proud.
Las Cruces sprinters Ricky Milks and Kyton Jurney continued their run of very nice races. Milks won the 100, Jurney took a fifth and a second in the 200 and 400, respectively.
Onate's Sal Wright ran 4:35 and 10:05 in the 16 and 32, maybe just sort of reminding the distance folks that he will be among those who must be dealt with when it comes to scoring at state.
Jim Burke Invitational
Belen was home to one of the bigger meets in the state this weekend. The weather web site I check on first (the same one that was predicting highs in the 50s when I checked the forecast two days before the meet) says Belen had a high of 43 and a low of 32 on Saturday. Winds averaged about 8 mph. Much more wind than that and this one could have turned miserable. As it was, it looks to have been a fair piece less than pleasant. At least no coaches had to check for kids sunbathing between events.
Between Alexis Lafave, Gabrielle Moody, and Jalen Chavez, Los Lunas took four of the six sprint titles. Belen returned the favor in the distance events with Amber Saiz, Tayler Hendren, and Tyler Valdez doing the damage.
Valencia's Jenae Wolfram continues to hold off all threats in the shot put and discus.
And, keep an eye on Nicole Jenrette of Los Lunas. The girl can jump. High? Yes. Far? Yes. Over things? Yes, that too.
Piedra Vista Invitational
It was only slightly warmer in Farmington than in most of the rest of New Mexico, but the winds were calmer.
Tthings went pretty well for the Aztec girls, possibly an emerging 4A power of some consequence. They went that way pretty much all day long. Jessica Kresl won the 400 at 1:02.62. That time looks pretty good versus other reported times from across the state at this point. Kelcie Gerry won the high jump at 4-10. Sierra Martinez took the long jump at 15-9, nearly a full foot ahead of second. And Angela Evans captured the discus title.
Piedra Vista played decided to keep the boys trophy for their own trophy case, however. That title was largely built on the efforts of Craig Smith. Mr. Smith won the long jump at 21-11.5 and the 200 at 23.18.
Once again, though, the results have the unmistakeable suggestion of having been dampened by the unseasonably cool temperatures.
Socorro Invitational
No, not that Socorro, the one in El Paso. And the folks in Alamagordo like El Paso. Or at least they keep going back. This time they had the company of Gadsden and Chaparral (there being no meet in Las Cruces this weekend).
Chief among the highlights is Devin Enslen's (Alamagordo) 22.43 in the 200. Enslen probably figured in that 43.96 the Alamagordo 4x100 posted as well.
Zimmerly Relays
This is the real Socorro. Home of NMT, the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, and an exquisite cross country course where they intermittently have to chase away a few golfers.
This meet was a make-up from Thursday. Before it was done, they may have wished once or twice they hadn't made it up. Like a lot of other places in New Mexico, it wasn't even close to warm in Socorro. But, you do what you have to do in track season, realizing there has to be one or two nice weekends before the season is over.
Right offhand, it looks as if Socorro has a couple of very nice sprinters in Zoe Howell (100, 12.82) and Dylan Gallegos (200, 22.94). Zoe Howell doubled her fun at 800 meters, winning in 2:28.12, beating East Mountain's Caroline Kaufman.
Kaufman, however, ruled the 1600 and 3200. And, if you're thinking what I'm thinking, that's a pretty significant workout for Ms. Kaufman this early in the season. My guess is she slept well on the bus ride home.
Just a hunch, but I'm also guessing Hope Christian's Ben Sinclair and Anthony Gonzales are going to create some issues for other 3A schools in the 110 hurdles.
Ruidoso's Tanner Chavez pitched a nice throw of 46-2.5 to win the shot put.
All in all, a very productive meet for the four small schools who showed up, competing under less-than-ideal conditions.