SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
By Arnie Leshin
It’s been three years since senior Alizabeth Williams won the state 3A cross country championship 5-killometers in 20 minutes flat and paved the way for the Academy of Technology and The Classics girls to win their initial state title.
Well, they’re back, the Phoenix are back and better. Their top individual now is sophomore Maggie Rittmeyer, and she figures to finish among the first five. But there’s more, for this young group has depth, goes about nine deep.
“Yeah, I guess I would have to say that,” said head coach Tim Host after his girls ran off with the small schools team title at Saturday morning’s annual Rio Rancho Jamboree, which is where in three weeks the schools will gather there again for the state championships.
Two runners are not with last year’s team that finished sixth. Lilia Noger-Stott, who was also outstanding in the field events, graduated, and Naomi Lujan did not come out.
But this squad is so good, it has harriers who are running faster than some of last year’s top runners. Sophomore Kate Ferguson, who has been on the team since 8th grade and was just behind Rittmeyer last year, is now penciled in as No. 6 or No. 7.
And there’s not a senior out there. Josette Gurule is a freshman, Noelani Van Loon is an 8th grader, Kamryn Hoehne is a sophomore, Maggie’s younger sister, Lily, is an 8th grader, Maiah Trujillo is a freshman, and then there’s Ferguson, whose senior brother Cole, is the top runner on the boy’s team.
While the girls tallied 40 points, 10 less than in 2015 at state, Pecos was right there nine points behind, and the Panthers should be the main challenger.
Fourth for the Phoenix was Maggie Rittmeyer in 21:28.30. Seventh was Gurule in 21:47.40, eighth was Van Loon in 21:58.71, 10th was Hoehne in 22:-04.20, Lily Rittmeyer was 16th in 22:46.10, Trujillo 21st in 23:09.80, and Ferguson 22nd in 23:16.50. That’s less than two minutes separating Maggie from Ferguson.
“Said Lenny Gurule, who has coached St. Michael’s girls to four state championships, “This is ATC team is much better than the team that won in 2015. It’s young, will get even better, and does have depth.”
Sophomore Vanessa Dominguez was the first Pecos finisher, taking third in 21:09.10. Fifth was 8th grader Mistidawn Roybal in 21:34. 60, and ninth was freshman Savannah Ortiz in 22:01.20. This is also a young team, but might not be as deep as ATC.
Penasco took third with 108 points and its two-time state champion, Carly Gonzales, ran sixth in 21:47.40 in her best race since recovering from a leg injury.
Santa Fe High’s girls also did well in the 5A large schools run. I ran sixth with 165 points behind senior Judith Allison taking 13th in 21:21.80, and senior Maya Holder not far behind in 21:38.50. St. Michael’s had only four runners, with 8th grader Logan Hunt having a soccer match that day.
So the Lady Horsemen picked up a 16th place from senior Janai Clayton in 21:44,29, and senior Violet Eklund and Santa Fe Prep sophomore Chelsea Griscom finished 24th together in 22:19.80.
But right now the spotlight is on those Phoenix youngsters.
