Hilltopper XC Teams Deliver Solid Results At Cleveland Meet

Submitted by Carol A. Clark
on August 31, 2023
- 6:42 pm

Benjamin Sanchez finished 17th in the Boys Varsity race in a time of 16:44. Photo by Blake Wood

Rebecca Beaux finished 11th in the Girls Varsity race in a time of 20:03. Photo by Blake Wood

By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
Hilltopper XC

The Los Alamos High School (LAHS) Hilltopper Cross Country teams competed in their season opener at Cleveland High School Saturday, Aug. 26, delivering some solid results on the path to returning to form as the defending State Champions. This was a large meet, with 26 teams and 580 athletes competing across all races on Cleveland’s 5k course.

Anna Wetteland led the Hilltoppers in the Girls Varsity race, finishing 6th in a time of 19:42. She was closely followed by Grace Montoya in 7th place, also posting a time of 19:42. Rounding out the team were Rebecca Beaux (11th, 20:03), Ensley Jorgenson (13th, 20:09), Amelia Hill (49th, 21:31), Mila Moseley (65th, 22:15) and Lena Ronning (71st, 22:30). They placed 2nd to Albuquerque Academy in the team competition, with 86 points to AA’s 80 points.

Duane Sena was the first ‘Topper in the Boys Varsity race, finishing 15th in a time of 16:32. He was followed by Benjamin Sanchez (17th, 16:44), Armando Inbody (20th, 16:57), Mikey Bane (37th, 17:26), Brayden Allen (61sts, 18:25), Gus Ovaska (64th, 18:29), and Will Gartz (80th, 19:15). They placed 6th as a team, with 143 points.

Lucy Kelley finished 6th to lead the Hilltoppers in the Girls JV race, followed by Elizabeth Buck in 9th place. The ‘Toppers finished 2nd to Albuquerque Academy, with 65 points to AA’s 40 points.

William Hudlemeyer was the first ‘Topper in the Boys JV race, in 19th place and a time of 19:05. The Boys finished 4th in the JV team competition.

Kieren Vigil and Sofia Molina-Lythe were the top ‘Toppers in the C-team competition, posting times of 20:31 and 25:26, respectively.

The Hilltopper XC teams next compete in the Joe Vigil Invitational in Alamosa, Colo. Saturday, Sept. 9.

Sam Prada outsprints an Albuquerque Academy runner to finish 21st in the Boys JV race, in a time of 19:13. Photo by Blake Wood