Ad
Belen’s Sanchez leads local runners at state XC meet
Published
Modified
ALBUQUERQUE — The Albuquerque Academy cross country course has not been a favorite of Belen’s Lisette Sanchez during her high school career; however, that attitude changed Saturday during the New Mexico Cross Country State Championship.
“Wow, I’m shocked,” was the reaction from Sanchez after finishing sixth to earn a spot on the podium in 4A, with a time of 19:06.1.
In 2022, Sanchez was unable to finish the race and last year she didn’t run because of an injury.
“I just wanted to stop like I did before,” is what Sanchez was thinking during the first mile. “I was like ‘no.’ I can’t hold myself back from what could be. So, that’s why I just went for it.”
Sanchez will now turn her attention to wrestling, followed by her final season in track and field at BHS.
During the preseason, the Eagles had hopes of a top-three team finish, but after two runners did not complete the course, Belen came in eighth.
Albuquerque Academy took the team title, with the Chargers Addison Julian (18:05.4) taking medalist honors.
In the boys’ 4A race, Academy was the team champion, with BHS 15th, led by Julian Jurado (18:20.9). Judah Daffron (15:28.8) of Taos took first.
Valencia did not qualify any runners for the state meet.
Los Lunas came in sixth in the boys’ 5A race, with Rio Rancho dominating the field.
Ad
According to Larry Padilla, LLHS coach, the top four Tigers set personal bests over the five-kilometer course.
“We were hoping to be in the top five,” Padilla said, “Unfortunately, we fell a bit short.”
Isaac Gonzales (16:20.2) led the Tigers with a 14th-place showing. Organ Mountain’s Corbin Coombs (14:49.0) was first individually.
The LLHS girls finished 14th, led by Ainsley McKay (22:18.8) in 54th. Eldorado took the team title with freshman Gianna Rahmer (17:34.7) capturing individual honors for the second straight year.
“Our girls placed higher than we did last year,” said Padilla. “That was our goal.”
Padilla is optimistic about the future for both of his teams.
“They are young and should be a stronger group next season,” Padilla said about the girls’ squad.
Six of the top seven runners for the LLHS boys are underclassmen.
“We have a strong group of young boys returning next year.”
New Mexico High School Cross Country Results
5A Boys: Los Lunas
14: Isaac Gonzales, So. (16:20.2)
26: James Martinez, So. (16:59.7)
36: Eloy Urtiaga, 8. (17:09.7)
41: Lucas Bland, Jr. (17:18.2)
52: James Kilcullen, Sr. (17:34.4)
53: Brady Garcia, So. (17:37.1)
97: Jon Otero, Fr. (19:31.4)
4A Boys: Belen
54: Julian Jurado, Sr. (18:20.9)
69: Kyle Glodt, Sr. (19:05.3)
80: Joshua Jaramillo, Sr. (19:42.5)
85: Samuel Sisneros, Fr. (19:57.9)
93: Nico Arriago, Sr. (20:12.9)
102: Marinus Sanchez, Sr. (21:13.5)
5A Girls: Los Lunas
54: Ainsley McKay, So. (22:18.8)
68: Mya Fragua, Sr. (22:40.8)
82: Stella Simpson, Sr. (24:05.0)
89: Adalee Wagner, So. (25:08.0)
93: Isabella Bueno, 8. (25:34.2)
97: Sol Romero, Jr. (26:20.1)
98: Delrae Jaramillo, Fr. (26:28.5)
4A Girls: Belen
6: Lisette Sanchez, Sr. (19:06.1)
34: Gabriela Jaramillo, Sr. (21:48.0)
48: Leilani Gonzales, So. (22:58.1)
52: Alexis Price, Sr. (23:24.4)
53: Carlie Baca, Fr. (23:26.8)
