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Boys: Gallup, Manzano, Albuquerque Sandia, Albuquerque Academy
Girls: Gallup and Felicia Guliford
The cross country season in New Mexico is well underway and teams
are preparing for the larger Invitationals to take place in the
next few
weeks.
Establishing themselves on the boys side are three strong squads
in
the 5A classification. The perennial power Gallup squad, led by
2000 state
4th place finisher C.R. Davis, should be pushed by two squads out
of
Albuquerque. An up and coming Manzano squad and their undefeated
#1 runner,
Jeremy Johnson, will push Gallup for the title come November 3rd.
Running
equally as impressive is the defending 5A champions, Albuquerque
Sandia.
They return the 2nd and 3rd place finishers from last years state
championships. Look for this title race to be a three team race
decided by
which team proves they have the depth at the 4th and 5th man position.
When it comes to depth on the boys side, no team may go as deep
as
the three time defending state champions Albuquerque Academy Chargers.
With
their #1 runner, John Bunting, currently undefeated and strong support
at the
varsity level Academy looks to be the early and heavy favorites
to win
another title in 4A come November. Other top 4A squads should be
Taos and
Los Alamos. Look for an update after next weekends Gallup Invitational
where Academy tries to avenge their only loss in the past three
years to the
then 8th ranked host Gallup team. Traditional the Gallup Invitational
has
had nearly 40 teams from New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado.
Classifications 3A and 2A are being dominated by the team from
Jemez
Valley. The Jemez Warriors should have an easy title run in 2A.
They look
to have returned to the form that allowed them to win six state
titles in
the 1980's. Running best on the individual side in these classifications
is
Leandro Jim of Wingate and Jesus Romero of Las Vegas (NM) Robertson.
The girls are once again being dominated by Gallup High and their
All-American Felicia Guliford. Plagued by injuries and illness last
year
Guliford looks to be approaching top form and will lead a team that
has both
depth and tradition on their side. look for her 4th individual crown
to come
on her home course of 6500 feet elevation at Red Rocks State Park
on
November 3rd. Other top squads from 5A are a ways back. Look for
Eldorado
and Rio Rancho to contend for the runner-up trophy.
In class 4A the Los Alamos Hilltoppers are ready to defend. 2001
may be their 7th title since 1992. Marisa Sandoval and Heather Wood
are two
Hilltoppers that return form the top ten at state last year. They
may need
the depth and tradition that they have developed over recent years
to
overcome a strong Albuquerque Academy squad. Academy's team is being
led by
5 time state track and field champion Rachel Urbina. Her foot speed
will be
needed in an individual race that is shaping up to be one of tightest
in
recent years. Sandoval, Urbina, and Alicia Torrez of Taos will be
pressing
defending champion Timmie Murphy of Farmington for the crown.
No team has established themselves as the 3A power as of yet this
season but on the individual side 2000 runner up Erin Lewis of Grants
is the
early favorite. In 2A defending champs Jemez Valley and their #1
runner
Janice Tosa will be pressed by Linda Yearley and the squad from
Santa Rosa.
Both teams are running well early in 2001.
Return to DyeStat New
Mexico
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