New Mexico State Meet

Eldorado Girls, Cleveland Boys Win 5A Team Titles

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Despite a strong effort from Volcano Vista and Cleveland, the Eldorado girls cross country team proved to be too much on Saturday. At Rio Rancho High School, Eldorado scored 48 points to repeat as the 5A New Mexico High School State champions. Defending individual champion, Jasmine Turtle-Morales, led the way with a second-place finish in 18:45.65 as four runners finished in the top 15 for the team.

Freshman phenom Leah Futey of Cleveland, won the race in a blistering time of 18:26.45, the fastest of the day for any female.

Jerrick Maldonado of Clovis won the 5A boys race in 16:07.65, as he edged out Triston Charles of Piedra Vista in 16:08.25. Maldonado’s win was the first individual title in program history for Clovis. The team race was dominated by defending champs, Cleveland. The team out all five runners in the top 20 to win with 64 points. 

Led by a 1-2 finish, the Los Alamos girls scored 30 points to win the 4A title, denying Albuquerque Academy a repeat. Los Alamos sophomore Norissa Valdez won the race in 18:47, while teammate Sophie Chadwick was second in 18:47.3. 

The Los Alamos boys made it a program sweep, repeating as 4A champs and narrowly defeating Academy, 40-43. The team placed four runners in the top nine. Academy’s Julian Garcia won the race in 16:04.75. 

Cottonwood Classical Prep placed three in the top nine to win the 3A team title, while Jewels Leslie of Wingate won the race in 19:34.75.

Deshawn Goodwin led the Zuni boys to a dominant performance, repeating as 3A champions. Goodwin won the race in 16:02.8, while Zuni had six runners in the top nine to score 23 points.

In 2A/1A, the Academy for Tech and the Classics defeated defending champion, Pecos, 24-35, as ATC’s Maggie Rittmeyer took top honors in 19:41.70. The team took four of the top five spots. 

Senior Galvin Curley led Navajo Pine to a repeat 1A/2A title, as he also defended his individual title, crossing the line in 16:13.5. 

Team Champions

Class 5A: Cleveland boys 64 points; Eldorado girls 48 points - RESULTS

Class 4A: Los Alamos boys 40 points; Los Alamos girls 30 points - RESULTS

Class 3A: Zuni boys 23 points; Cottonwood Classical Prep girls 54 points - RESULTS

Class 2A/1A: Navajo Pine boys 37 points; ATC girls 24 points - RESULTS