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Also in the running is Santa Fe Prep, Desert Academy, Pecos and Academy of Technology and The Classics
By Arnie Leshin
When Jonas Kaare-Rasmussen was a freshman at Desert Academy, his brother, Jakob, then a 7thgrader, was always in the conversation.
Ineligible until the following year, the Wildcats now had the Rasmussen brothers. And if it appears that they have been doing cross country and track and field for quite some time, both began as 8thgraders.
Jonas graduated last year and Jakob is now a junior. Both have been hampered by injuries, and if it seams like a yearly problem, it falls right into place.
It was one thing after another. If it wasn’t Jonas, it was Jakob. Knees, ankles, hamstrings, they both suffered setbacks, both missing almost entire seasons.
The leading question to one of them, was “How’s your brother doing,?” And for the last four years, the school’s website would always say that Jakob has been added to the team, meaning he’s recovered from the latest injury.
Now he’s running well and his brother is no doubt following his progress as the state 1A-3A meet this weekend at the University of New Mexico draws near.
Jakob has qualified for the 400 and 800, owning the fourth fastest time in both. His mission is to step on the podium twice. His 400 time of 52.4 is right up there with the leaders. His fastest time in the 800 is 2:05.44.
Desert Academy has only qualified four, two boys and two girls, and will compete in 3A with Santa Fe Prep. Academy of Technology and The Classic, and Pecos.
ATC has qualified 10 individuals as well as all fourelays. Doing double duty is junior Cole Ferguson. He will hurdle both the 110 and 300 and run some relay legs.
Junior Ahbedoh Whiteeagle is the fastest Wildcat and will dash the 100 and 200 meters, as well as teaming with the relay teams as probably the anchor leg.
Santa Fe Prep’s boys have never won state buthave been up there. Last year they finished third.
The Griffins have qualified 25, one less than their girls, who have won state three times.
Junior Sam Sparks has been the spark for the boys, he and senior Sean Coles. Sparks will go in the high jump with a best of 6-feet. But Coles has fared better by clearing the bar at 6-2.
Then the two will be at it again in the long jump, where Coles has a best
of 20-7.5 and Sparks has done 20-5. Can’t forget the triple jump where they meet up again. Sparks has the second beat distance of 42-7 and Coles has gone 40-8.
The Griffins have qualified in all four relays and Sparks and Coles will be racing legs.
Pecos won its first state title in 2016 and has a quality lineup. For the distance races it can call on seniors Josh DeHerrara, Carlos Cordova and Michael Montano. It has sprinters and field event qualifier.
