STATE CROSS COUNTRY AREA QUALIFIERS

With the shortened pandemic issue schedule in the closet, the always interesting state cross country championships will again be run at Albuquerque Academy Saturday, with the one-day event starting at 9 a.m. with the 2A boys and girls taking off first in the 5,000 meters.

In 2A, the Pecos boys and girls are among the challengers, with the Panthers boys coming off a first in District 2, and the girls running second to Academy of Technology and The Classics. The Panthers boys have an experienced bunch with four juniors, two seniors, and a sophomore.

It is a balanced team led by juniors Aiden Holton and Elijah Lujan, and senior Antonio Garcia. The Panthers should be tested by Hagerman, which won its district handily.

In 3A, there’s the favorite, freshman Raylee Hunt of St. Michael’s out to move up a spot after finishing second last year. Again, she will be doubt being challenged by the Albuquerque Cottonwood Prep girls, especially junior Sophie Lopez and senior Aubrey Lozoya, and you can add New Mexico Military Institute senior Tessa Walker to the mix along with junior teammate Gorou, but don’t forget the young Santa Fe Prep team.

The Griffins figure to be right up there with 8th-grader Sophie Bair and freshmen Nya Griego and Helen Desmond. The remainder of their group mixes in another 8th-grader, four more freshmen, and one junior,

The Griffin boys also were No. 1 in district, and their top harrier is senior Joshua Abeyta, who was runner-up to St. Michael’s freshman Jaden Berea at district. The No. 2 Prep runner is junior Gabe Cordova. Unlike the girls, this crew lists four seniors and three juniors.

Santa Fe Indian School should land in the top three in both girls and boys. Both are filled with underclassmen as junior Destiny Marquez is the leading girl and freshman Jeremiah Chavez the top boy.

Of the 3A individuals, St. Michael’s has qualified only two boys, but young Berea should be right up there with Abeyta.

In 4A, Espanola Valley’s only qualifier, sophomore Daniel Sanchez should finish among the top 10, as well as Albuquerque Hope Christian junior Rendon Kuykendell, and anyone from Albuquerque Academy’s overwhelming district winners.

To stay with 4A, just keep following Los Alamos. Its girls and boys both ran in the Hilltopper bunch at district, with the first six wearing their colors. The girls have plenty of experience with three seniors and four juniors, and led by sophomore Delaney Ulrich and senior Norissa Valdez.

As with the boys, it’s the same nightmare for the rest of the field. They go with five seniors, a junior and a freshman, and it varies as to who finishes ahead of the others, as seniors Kieth Bridge and Morgan Schaller have been up there most of the time, and with balance behind them, same as the girls.

Then there’s 5A and Santa Fe High did well enough at its districts to qualify both the girls and boys, with the girls led by up-and-coming Mia Schleman, and the boys by senior Tanner Black and Mason Nichols, the one-two punch all season, and with perhaps Black coming in with the first 10.

Analiyah Armijo, Joselyn Garcia, Seferina Ortiz, Kristina Ragland, Linda Sanchez, Ermalinda Sanchez, Larycia Sena.

Andres Arculeta, Antonio Garcia, Nicholas Gonzales, Aiden Holton, Elijah Lujan, Justin Muller, Israel Villegas.

GIRLS — Arycela Gullen, Adrianna Gullen, Josette Gurule, Charli Koseoglu,

Lilly Rittmeyer, Maiah Trujillo, Bridget Valdez.

ATC BOYS — Tony Diaz, Jude Lucero,Nathaniel Onstott, Alex Puhl, Julian Pohl,Julian Rodriguez, Ian Wald, Diego Rael.

GIRLS — Alexis Aguino, Malena Chama, Destiny Marquez, Kendra Emery, Nalani Padilla, Danielle Smith.

BOYS — Jeremiah Chavez, Nathaniel Bird, Joseph Armijo, Russell Coriz, Brian Madalena, Kawliga Romone, Chase Toya.

GIRLS — Raylee Hunt, Ellie Musolf.

BOYS — Jaden Barea, Jeremiah Rodriguez.

GIRLS — Sophie Bair, Nya Griego, Helen Desmond, Bella Caldwell, Annabel Leon-Lubowicz, Elianah Liebermon, Sophie Addison.

BOYS — Josua Abeyta, Evin Axelrod, Gabe Cordova, Jose Lain-Straus, Ian Olson, Shrey Poshita, Nick Farrell.

GIRLS — Mia Schleman, Olive Beffort, Lili Gadret, Leandra Motelet, Shea Novak, Annalee Auer, Addi Pattelena.

BOYS — Tanner Black, Mason NIchols, Bluebird Asken, Matthew Chavez, Bodhi Lewis, Valin Wittenbert, Ethan Garcia.