From left, Emmeline Keller-Moore, Abigail Swigert, Mila Moseley, and Elisabeth McNiff demonstrate exemplary group racing at the midway point of the Girls Varsity race.  This tactic gave them the win over 22 other excellent teams. Photo by Blake Wood

Cole Luscher, right, and William Hudlemeyer were the top ‘Toppers in the Boys Varsity race, finishing in 33rd and 42nd places, respectively, out of 206 runners. Cole’s time was 17:07. Photo by Blake Wood

By BLAKE WOOD
Assistant Coach
LAHS Track and Field 

The Hilltopper Girls Cross Country team demonstrated the strength of running as a group as they won both the Varsity and JV races in the most competitive fields they will face this season at UNM on Saturday.  Most of the best New Mexico teams across all classes were there, as well as a number of excellent out-of-state teams.

Ensley Jorgenson led the ‘Toppers with her 9th place finish in 19:03 on the grassy 5k course.  She was followed by Grace Montoya (11th, 19:30), Elisabeth McNiff (14th, 19:39), Emmeline Keller-Moore (15th, 19:49), and Mila Moseley (16th, 19:54) to complete the scoring quintet.  Abigail Swigert (20th, 20:03) and Amelia Hill (47th, 21:09) rounded out the team.  Their score of 65 put them ahead of Durango (83), Cleveland (131), Class 4A rival Albuquerque Academy (157), and 19 other teams.

Hilltoppers Elizabeth Buck and Cara Gauss finished 1-2 in the JV race, in times of 20:41 and 21:47, respectively.  With teammates Esther Gellis (6th), Caterina Mereghetti (7th), and Emma Justus (16th) completing the scoring, the ‘Toppers beat a dozen other teams with a remarkably low score of 32.

The Hilltopper Boys were missing three of their best varsity runners, but the rest stepped up admirably, to finish 7th of 28 teams.  They were led by Cole Luscher (33rd, 17:07), followed by William Hudlemeyer (42nd, 17:25), Emmitt Tibbets (50th, 17:30), Oliver Mosby (64th, 17:53), and Sam Prada (90th, 18:35), to complete their score of 115 points.  Albuquerque Academy won the race with a score of 68 points.

The JV Boys, like the varsity competing with only five runners, finished 3rd of 19 teams, paced by Garrison Sison (5th, 18:20).  He was followed by Tyven Beaux (23rd), William Anderson (25th), Justin Crane (34th), and Ethan Martinez (36th).

Next, the Hilltoppers will race at the Rio Rancho HS Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Elizabeth Buck, left, and Cara Gauss finished 1-2 in the Girls JV race. Photo by Blake Wood

Garrison Sison led the Hilltopper JV Boys with his 5th place finish. Photo by Blake Wood