The Hilltopper XC athletes and coaches show off their runner-up trophies. Photo by Blake Wood
Sophomore Ensley Jorgensen led the Hilltopper Girls with a 4th place finish in a PR time of 18:45 on the 5k State Championship course at Albuquerque Academy. Photo by Blake Wood
By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
LAHS Cross Country
It is a competition that always brings out the best in both schools, and we knew it would be a close, hard-fought race, as usual at the New Mexico 4A State Cross Country Championship. Each team had beaten the other earlier in the season. But last Saturday morning, the Albuquerque Academy Charger Girls and Boys were the faster teams, and our Los Alamos Hilltoppers brought home two runner-up trophies, with scores of 50-54 for the Boys and 49-62 for the Girls.
The Hilltopper Girls were led by sophomore Ensley Jorgensen and junior Mila Moseley, who both achieved All-State honors by finishing in 4th and 9th places, respectively, in times of 18:45 and 19:17. Also scoring for the ’Topper Girls were sophomore Amelia Hill (12th, 19:46), freshman Emmeline Keller-Moore (19th, 20:11), and senior Rebecca Beaux (20th, 20:12). Sophomore Grace Montoya and senior Sadie Evans rounded out the team. Cara Gauss and Elizabeth Buck accompanied the team as alternates and support.
Seniors Benjamin Sanchez and Mikey Bane led the ’Topper Boys, both achieving All-State honors with 5th and 10th place finishes, respectively, in times of 16:04 and 16:21. Close behind them was sophomore Kaj Maupin in 11th place and 16:22. Senior Eddie Gartz (14th, 16:33) and junior Gus Ovaska (18th, 16:37) rounded out the scoring quintet. Seniors Andy Enriquez and Brayden Allen completed the team. Cole Luscher, Koen Christensen, and Will Gartz traveled with the team as alternates and support.
Thirty-six of the XC athletes (about half the team!) will travel on their own dime to Mesa, Ariz. to complete in the post-season Nike Cross Southwest Regional meet on Nov. 23.
The Cross Country athletes and coaches would like to thank the community for their support and encouragement throughout the 2024 season!
Sophomore Amelia Hill saved the best for last, achieving her best finish of the season as the third ’Topper Girl in 12th place overall and a PR time of 19:46. Photo by Blake Wood
Senior Benjamin Sanchez was the top-’Topper of the day, finishing in 5th place overall and a time of 16:04. Photo by Blake Wood
Senior Mikey Bane achieved All-State honors with his 10th place finish in a PR time of 16:21. Photo by Blake Wood
