Hilltoppers lead the pack at the start of the JV Girls race. From left, Abby Swigert, Nuala Colgan, Cara Gauss and Lena Ronning. Gauss was overall winner of the race in a time of 21:13. Photo by Blake Wood
Senior Claire Whitley finishes down the straightaway packed with cheering fans in the JV Girls race. Photo by Blake Wood
The Hilltopper Senior Cross Country athletes! The Girls from left, Nuala Colgan, Rebecca Beaux, Claire Whitley, Sadie Evans, Lena Ronning, Ella Miranda, Claire Bullock, Wendy Sheppard and Collette Bibeault. The Boys from left, Brayden Allen, Andy Enriquez, Eddie Gartz, Benjamin Sanchez and Mikey Bane. Photo by Blake Wood
By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
Hilltopper XC
The regular season ended well for the Hilltopper Cross Country teams at their Home Meet on Friday afternoon at the Los Alamos Golf Course. Both the Boys and Girls Varsity teams came out ahead of 4a rival Albuquerque Academy.
The Varsity Boys reversed their 51-37 loss last week at AA’s home meet, beating AA by a score of 65-72 (the 5a Cleveland HS Boys won the race with 42 points). As usual, the 4a State Championship on Nov. 9 will come down to an exciting race between the Hilltoppers and Chargers, separated by a mere handful of points.
The Hilltopper Boys were led by senior Benjamin Sanchez, who posted a very strong 16:00 time on the difficult 5k course, finishing 2nd to Judah Daffron of Taos. Sanchez was followed by junior Gus Ovaska (8th, 16:42). Sophomore Kaj Maupin continued his late-season move up the pecking order, finishing as the third ‘Topper in 9th place and 16:47. Maupin was followed by seniors Mikey Bane (19th, 17:13) and Andy Enriquez (27th, 17:22) to complete the scoring quintet. Seniors Brayden Allen and Eddie Gartz rounded out the Hilltopper team.
As they did at Albuquerque Academy’s home meet last week, the Hilltopper Varsity Girls won their race over AA, this time by a score of 47-75. The ‘Toppers were led by sophomore Grace Montoya, who posted one of the fastest-ever times on the home course, winning the race over AA’s Anna Hastings in a remarkable 18:34. Montoya was followed by sophomore Ensley Jorgensen (5th, 19:31), junior Mila Moseley (6th, 19:44), freshman Emmeline Keller-Moore (15th, 20:44) and senior Rebecca Beaux (20th, 20:55). Sophomore Amelia Hill and senior Sadie Evans rounded out the ‘Topper Varsity squad.
This was the final race of the season for the non-Varsity athletes, and the Hilltoppers made the most of it. Both the JV Boys and Girls teams finished 2nd, the Boys to Cleveland and the Girls to Albuquerque Academy. Many ‘Topper athletes posted spectacular improvements in their times from last year’s Home Meet. We can expect a lot from our future-Varsity Hilltopper runners!
The JV Girls race was won by senior Cara Gauss (who will by advancing with the Varsity team to the District and State competition) in a time of 21:13. Gauss was followed by sophomore Elizabeth Buck (8th, 22:23), senior Nuala Colgan (11th, 22:41), senior Wendy Sheppard (12th, 22:43) and junior Abby Swigert (13th, 22:57).
The Hilltopper JV Boys were led by sophomore William Hudlemeyer, who ran a come-from-behind race to finish 3rd overall in a time of 17:51. He was closely followed by freshman Koen Christensen in 4th place and 17:52. Next were freshman Oliver Mosby (8th, 18:22) and sophomore Emmitt Tibbitts (11th, 18:31). Moving up from LAMS, 8th grader Levi Gibson was the final ‘Topper scorer in 12th place and 18:40.
Next up for the Hilltopper Varsity teams is the District Championship, to be held Friday afternoon, Nov. 1 at Moriarty High School. The State Championship will be held on Saturday morning, Nov. 9 at Albuquerque Academy.
Sophomore William Hudlemeyer was the top ‘Topper in the Boys JV race, finishing 3rd overall in a time of 17:51. Photo by Blake Wood
Sophomore Kaj Maupin has developed into a key Hilltopper Varsity athlete. Here he narrowly outsprints an AA runner to finish as the 3rd Hilltopper in 9th place overall in a time of 16:47. Photo by Blake Wood
