Who says cross country isn’t a contact sport? Mikey Bane mixes it up with Gallup runner Dwight Spencer in a near photo finish in the Boys Varsity race. Once they picked themselves up off the ground, they shook hands and congratulated each other on a race well-run, as is usual in this sport. Photo by Blake Wood
The 2023 Hilltopper Cross Country Team. Photo by Blake Wood
By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
Hilltopper XC
The Hilltopper Cross Country teams made the most of a beautiful fall day at the Los Alamos Golf Course Friday afternoon in their continuing competition with Albuquerque Academy, which will be settled at the State Championship Nov. 11.
A week ago, both the LAHS Boys and Girls teams came up short at Albuquerque Academy’s own home meet, although by only a handful of points. Friday, the ‘Topper Boys came out on top, narrowly taking 2nd to 5A powerhouse Cleveland, 62-60, with the Academy Boys finishing 4th. The ‘Topper Girls closed last week’s 9 point gap to only 3 points to finish 2nd to Academy, 31-28. Considering the two team’s congenial friendship with each other, the State Championship is sure to be a fun one to watch!
The Hilltopper Varsity Boys were led by Benjamin Sanchez, who finished 2nd overall in an excellent time of 16:42 on the hilly 5k home course. He was followed by teammate Duane Sena in 3rd place and 16:51. The ‘Topper scoring quintet was completed by Eddie Gartz (16th, 17:50), Mikey Bane (19th, 17:56), and Armando Inbody (22nd, 18:06).
Grace Montoya led the Hilltopper Varsity Girls with a 3rd place finish in 19:35. ‘Topper scorers included Anna Wetteland (4th, 19:47), Ensley Jorgenson (5th, 20:20), Mila Moseley (8th, 20:33), and Rebecca Beaux (11th, 20:57).
The JV races were open, i.e. there were no C-team races, so all non-varsity runners competed in the JV race. A number of 8th graders on the Los Alamos Middle School XC team have been training with the high school since their season ended several weeks ago. Friday, they put on Hilltopper uniforms for the first time and competed in the JV races, impressing everyone.
Ella Miranda led the Hilltopper JV Girls to a 3rd place team finish, behind Albuquerque Academy and Cleveland. She finished 3rd overall in a time of 22:19.
The ‘Topper JV Boys were led to a 2nd place team finish (to Cleveland), by Gus Ovasak, who finished 5th overall in a time of 18:27.
Between the JV and Varsity races, well over 100 kids competed in the ever-popular Elementary School Mile. Luke Gibson of Mountain School was the individual winner among the boys, in a time of 5:39. Shane Jaramillo of Pecos Elementary School was the girls’ winner in a time of 5:44. The school competition was won by Mountain School for the boys and Aspen School for the girls.
Audrey See, Elizabeth Buck, Lena Ronning and Sadie Evans lead the Hilltoppers early in the Girls JV race. Photo by Blake Wood
Ethan Martinez makes the most of a beautiful fall day in the Boys JV race. Photo by Blake Wood
Brayden Allen is closely followed by teammate Grafton Urbatsch with a half mile to go in the Boys Varsity race. They finished in 24th and 25th places, respectively, in times of 18:08 and 18:18. Photo by Blake Wood
Eddie Gartz gets a lift from the cheering masses in the finishing straightaway of the Boys Varsity race. He placed 16th overall in a time of 17:50. Photo by Blake Wood
