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DyeStat New Mexico
New Mexico Report 9/21
by Adam Kedge
On the girls side everyone is awaiting the debut of two time FootLocker All-American Felicia Guliford. Guliford has been plagued with hip problems and may be delaying her comeback until she is confident that she is back to top form. Once healthy and in shape things should heat up fast in New Mexico as far as individual competition. Currently the top individual in Guliford's place is senior Jackie Gallegos or Pojoaque High School. The defending AAA state champ is undefeated thus far in 2000. Her most impressive victory is an easy win by a 60 second margin over Colorado track and cross-country star Natalie Hughes of Palisades HS. The best of the rest as far as females are Timmie Murphy of Farmington HS, Jame Kane of Eldorado, and Roxanne James of Gallup HS.
Team wise Gallup is still the heavy favorite as the top team in the state and despite a recent one point loss to Ganado Arizona on September 9th they should be is top form within the next couple of weeks with the return of Guliford. The best of the rest includes Eldorado HS (Albuquerque NM) in 5A and Los Alamos HS in 4A.
On the boys side there is no clear top individual throughout the state. All of the following have had their share of success during the first month of the season: CR. Davis of Gallup HS, Brad Skidmore of Los Alamos HS, Cameron Clarke of Sandia HS, and John Bunting of Albuquerque Academy HS. Skidmore just recently avenged a loss to Davis at the Manzano HS Invitational. Look for a tough rematch between the two on September 30 at the Gallup Invitational. Add in to the mix Bunting, Irwin Touchine of Gallup, Kit Werley of Los Alamos HS, and Jason Salo of Durango HS, Durango Colorado and the Gallup Invitational will be the deepest meet in the state.
The 8th nationally ranked Gallup Bengals are the clear cream of the crop in New Mexico as far as boys teams. Their only loss since returning from the Great American Cross Country Festival in 1999 is at the hands or feet of Albuquerque Academy. Last year the Academy team surprised Gallup by winning the Gallup Invitational. Look for the two teams to go head to head again this year at Red Rocks State Park in the 35 team Gallup Invitational. Once that match is settled look for both those squads to focus on defending their state titles in their respected divisions come November 4 on the same course as the Gallup Invite. The best of the rest for boys teams include Pojoaque HS, Onate HS, Sandia HS, and Los Alamos HS.
-Adam Kedge, New Mexico Track and Cross Country Coaches Association
