Jags’ Elias, LLHS boys both fourth in state Cross Country

Albuquerque

In a competition such as the New Mexico Cross Country Championship, there can be plenty of individual and team satisfaction, but also plenty of pain.

That was on display Saturday when runners from Los Lunas, Belen and Valencia took to the course at Albuquerque Academy.

The LLHS boys did well, but still felt the pain. The Tigers were in third place for most of the race, in position for a podium finish. However, over the last half mile, La Cueva edged ahead, taking the coveted third-place trophy by a single point, 118 to 119.

“It was really disappointing for myself and the whole team,” said an emotional Larry Padilla, Los Lunas coach. “We were definitely hoping for top three. We were just a point away,” and it slipped away, “right at the end.”

The Tigers were led by a pair of juniors. James Martinez was 19th (16:54) and Isaac Gonzales 20th (17:03).

“We just missed out. We were really close,” said Martinez. “I’m also proud of my team.”

Cleveland and Rio Rancho topped the field in 5A.

For Ean Elias, a junior and the lone competitor for Valencia in the 4A boys race, there was satisfaction in finishing fourth (15:54), just three-tenths of a second behind Billy Romero, of Taos.

Still, Elias was upbeat about his first high school season.

“I was just wanting to qualify for state,” Elias, a home-schooled student, said about his expectations before the season. “I never thought I’d be in the top five. I’d like to make larger jumps in my improvement. I’m excited for the future.”

The Belen boys were represented by sophomores Samuel Sisneros (19:19) in 80th and David Sedillo (19:53) in 95th.

“I was very nervous and scared,” said Sedillo, competing in his first state meet. “They try to push you and everything in the first 100 (yards),” Sedillo said about the crowded start to the race.

Elias also dealt with the physical nature of the race.

“There was a lot of shoving,” Elias recalled. “I was expecting it today. I mean, it is state.”

On the girls’ side, both Los Lunas and Belen qualified full teams. LLHS was 14th in 5A, led by Ainsley McKay (22:21) in 58th. Eldorado, Cleveland and Rio Rancho were the top three 5A schools.

Carlie Baca (22:41) led Belen to 10th place in 4A, coming in 53rd individually. It was an eye-opening experience for Jenniyuh Sanchez, 72nd in a time of 23:43.

“It was hard,” said Sanchez, freshman, but she focused on “powering through and wanting to finish for my team.”

Los Alamos won the girls title, while Albuquerque Academy is the boys’ champion in 4A.