Sterling Glenn returns as the 5A State runner-up as she will once again take on defending champion from Centennial, Lauren Ocampo in girls javelin.
Plenty of opportunity for new podium finishers in 2022 as graduations leave a whole new top ten in New Mexico boys javelin.
Cibola's Reuben Johnson returns with the top throw of 146-10 and the highest place finisher from the 2021 5A discus final at 4th place.
Cayden Romero returns as the 2021 state runner-up in 5A boys shot put while Stratton Shufelt is the lone sophomore among the top 25 leading the marks with a throw of 50-4.
Sterling Glenn sits on top well ahead of the rest of the New Mexico shot putters in terms of the best throws. Lorin Wagner of Artesia is the defending 4A girls champion along with Paityn Nicholson and 5A's third-place finisher in Aveolela Pili.
Antonio Avila, Anthony Heavyrunner, and Fenyx Morningdove lead the New Mexico boys 300m hurdles as all fitting of securing a state title in 2022. Morningdove will be seeking to defend his title from other 4A contenders like Kidus Tekle.
Sima Lucero is once again on top of another list heading into 2022 with the New Mexico girls 300m hurdles. Teammate Analisa Ibarra competed in the event a year ago as the state runner-up and has her sights on the crown in 5A as Angelina Passalacqua will take over 4A as the top returner in the classification.
Antonio Avila and Anthony Heavyrunner will once again go at it for the crown of 5A 110m hurdle champion as they are the 1-2 to lead all New Mexico hurdlers.
Sima Lucero was unbeatable in the 100m hurdles a season ago despite not competing in the event at state and will likely return just as dominant for 2022.
Rendon Kuykendall boasts the top 3200m time in New Mexico after a blazing 9:22 set at the Nike Chandler Rotary Invite back in April.
Leah Futey will be seeking to top another distance list this season as the New Mexico girls 3200m athlete to beat as she returns with the top mark from 2021.
Dawson Gunn, Joaquin Deprez, and Keith Bridge lead the New Mexico boys 1600m list as they all potentially go sub 4:30 and beyond in 2022.
So many talented New Mexico girls 1600m runners are likely to return in 2022 with 5A defending champ Leah Futey and 4A defending champ Hailey McDowell among them.
Defending 4A state champion, Emma Montoya returns on top of New Mexico girls list as 5A champ Ellary Battle right beside her along with other talented runners in the 800m.
Joaquin Deprez, Aiden Davis and Caden Nunn lead the trio of New Mexico boys under 2:00 minutes returning in the 800m in 2022.
Three New Mexico boys return with sub 50 second 400m performances including 4A champion James Jenkins along with podium finishers Broden Cahoon and Kieran Cordova.
Sima Lucero was unbeatable in 2021 and could be reaching new marks in 2022 as the only sub-minute 400m sprinter and defending champion of 5A.
James Jenkins returns with the top time despite Christian Buzzard behind 5A runner-up and Adam Aguilera the reining 200m champion of 4A.
Sima Lucero holds the best time of 2021 despite being a traditional 400m sprinter, as Yvonne Stinson will be seeking to become the new 100m/200m champ of 5A and Nyla Lee will look to hold off her 4A title from teammate Holly Sanchez.
Christian Buzzard returns as the top man in New Mexico after a runner up performance in the 5A State 100m final.
Yvonne Stinson of Alamogordo will seek to top the podium among 5A girls while Los Alamos state champion Holly Sanchez returns among the top 5.