Early Season Questions Answered in Lobo Country

 

Looping through the starting line, Miyamura's Nile Thomas and Albuquerque Academy's Jordan Lesansee lead the Varsity Boys Race early during the UNM Lobo Invitational. Photo courtesay of Alan Versaw.

 

The electric buzz prior to the starting gun always makes the UNM Lobo Invitational a must see early season meet. And entering the 2014 Cross Country Season many questions are abound, making this meet the perfect backdrop to provide some answers.

Added to the anticipation was the strong field assembled this year, headlined by Mountain Vista, one of three teams from Colorado to toe the line, as well as two teams out of El Paso, Texas.

 

Boys Race

With the crack of the gun, the field covered the two fairways en masse with the front-runners feeling each other out through the first mile. Heading back into the starting area, a group of five began to assert themselves on the field. Consisting of Jordan Lesansee of Albuquerque Academy, Paxton Smith of Mountain Vista, Aaron Valenzuela of Belen, Devin Paredes of Rio Rancho and Niles Thomas of Miyamura in tow, the lead five began to roll through the inclines.

Approaching the 3k mark, Lesansee and Smith made it a two man race, while three teams were clearly vying for top team honors led by Rio Rancho, followed closely by Albuquerque Academy and Mountain Vista.

Continuing to run stride-for-stride, Lesansee and Smith rolled through 4k with Thomas hot on their tails. In 1k the team battle shifted slightly in Albuquerque Academy’s favor.

As the trio took the final finger turn, Thomas hit the pedal down the slight decline, powering home in 16:03 taking top individual honors. Valenzuela was able to regroup and finish as runner-up in 16:16, with Lesansee rounding out the Top 3 in 16:18.

In a tight team battle, Mountain Vista fought back in the last 1k claiming top team honors with 61 points, ahead of Rio Rancho scoring 101 points and Albuquerque Academy finishing with 123 points.

 

Girls Race

Unlike their male counterparts, the front-runners broke from the field early in the Girls Race establishing a hot early pace.

From the gun, Carisma Lovato of Valencia took the field through the first two fairways with Arena Lewis giving chase, and eventually catching her just before the 1k mark. The two ran side-by-side through the first mile in 5:40 with the field eventually catching them as they went through the starting area. Little did the field know Natasha Bernal of La Cueva was ready to dominate what she turned into a 3k race.

Bernal passed the 2k with a slight lead, but a lead she would eventually build to 26 seconds before winning in a commanding 18:44, 23 seconds ahead of individual runner-up Allie Chipman of Mountain Vista who ran 19:07.

Unlike the individual race, the team battle proved to have no clear runaway. Early on, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho and La Cueva were the three teams asserting themselves. As the runners entered the finger turns after mile 2, Albuquerque Academy and Eldorado joined the mix making it a tight five team affair.

With the runners sprinting toward the finish, Rio Rancho placed four runners in the Top 20 taking top team honors with 81 points, ahead of Albuquerque Academy’s 91 points and the La Cueva Bears took third with 121 points.

 

Meet Preview Questions Answered

While it’s very hard to get any definitive answers from the first meet of the season, we can at least gain insight. However, keep in mind a favorite saying from Coach Kedge, “The road is long.”

Q1 – Are the Los Alamos Girls as strong as they’ve been the last two years?

At first glance, a 6th place Team Finish may lead one to believe the answer is no, but finishing as the second 5A school for the second year in a row is nothing to overlook (they also finished as the second 4A team at the 2013 Lobo Invite). Plus, with Madison Foley, Talia Dreicer, and Nicola Vasquez returning from the 2013 State Championship Team, the Hilltoppers have a talented trio and are always a team to be reckoned with come November.

Q2 – Can Albuquerque Academy rebuild after a disappointing finish last season?

All signs are pointing to yes. The ease with which Jordan Lesansee appeared to be covering ground, and a 59 second pack time bodes well for the Chargers as they begin their 2014 campaign.

Q3 – Can Eldorado restock the Girls Roster?

Graduation hits every team hard. However, when a team graduates the State Champion and State Runner-up, people may wonder whether that team is finished. A sixth place finish from Jessie Hix and 4th place team showing (3rd 6A Team) suggests the Eagles may simply be reloading rather than rebuilding.

Q4 – Will Volcano Vista continue their march toward the top of New Mexico’s largest classification?

Placing 5th in both the Girls and Boys division’s points to yes. The Lady Hawks finished as the 4th 6A Team, while the Boys were the 2nd 6A Team. Results the Hawks can build upon through the season.

Q5 – How will East Mountain fare with moving up to 4A?

It’s tough to answer with only six 4A teams in attendance, and the Lady Timberwolves unable to field a Varsity Squad, but Addison Rauch and Alex Heffelfinger’s 15th and 11th place finishes had them claiming Top 4A Individual Honors. These results are building blocks the Timberwolves can use as they continue their journey in the 4A Classification.