SPORTS News:Los Alamos Middle School is set to host the Los Alamos Cross Country Invite Wednesday, Oct. 5.
The home meet serves as the last race for the season for the Hawks and will take place at the middle school cross country course, located in the open-space to the east of the main middle school parking lot. The course is a 2 mile, 2-loop course over rolling terrain of hard-packed dirt. The Coaches thank Sam Gardner and Clay Mosley for all their work getting the course ready.
The Los Alamos team has seen tremendous success the last several outings leading up to their home meet. Besides bringing home winner and runner-up team trophies, Co-Head Coaches Lindsey Montoya and Kay Ulrich could not be more pleased in the across-the-board improvements from their 88-strong team.
In the second half of the season, the teams have competed at Albuquerque Academy (Sept. 21), Desert Ridge (Sept. 28) and Santa Fe Indian School (Oct. 1). Going into their final race, the 7th grade and 8th grade boys team are unbeaten in 2016.
The 8th grade boys team saw their lowest team score of the season at Desert Ridge with a 1-2-4-6-7 finish, to beat their nearest rival, the home team 20 to 65. William McTeigue was rewarded for his hard work with his first individual win at Desert ridge. Dominic Martinez had another great win at Santa Fe Indian school, to add to his earlier wins at Espanola and in the large 200-competitor field at Academy of Technology and the Classics. Donald Pena, Sebastian Wood, Noah Bridgewater and Gabe Katko make up the remainder of the front pack for the Hawks.
The 7th grade boys are a force in New Mexico middle school cross country – they consistently place their top five runners in a spread (time elapsed from first team finisher to 5th team finisher) of under 60s, with their best pack time of 37s coming at the fast course at Desert Ridge. Ryan Aldaz has lead that team all season and his determination paid off in another win at Desert Ridge. Caiden Kersey, Wakei Hettinga, Ben Gellis, Reuben Goettee, Morgan Schaller and Jonah Mondragon make up the solid pack that are finishing up front for the team.
On the girls side, the 7th grade girls took home the winner’s trophy at SFIS, and the 2nd place trophies at Academy and Desert Ridge. Norissa Valdez has been the front-running team leader all season, and had impressive wins in her races at SFIS, and Desert Ridge. Kamaya Ronning has stepped up the second half of the season to become the Hawks number 2 runner, and with Keira Wisdom, Qui Hawkins, very close behind for a strong pack. The Hawks look to Anne Beus, Katie Wisdom and Mia Sanchez for the important 5th place scoring spot.
The 8th grade girls have ended the season well with three 3rd place finishes. Cecily Palmer has been the leader of the Hawks and has taken 4th place at all three recent races. Mabel Pyle has been consistent in the number 2 spot and Bailee Nassise stepped up for her first top 15 finish at the Desert Ridge meet.
The team is excited to close out its season with the home meet tomorrow, and are hoping for lots of fan support. The competition will be Pojoaque, Albuquerque Academy, St. Michaels and Eldorado.
Race Schedule:
- 3:30 p.m. 7th Grade Girls
- 3:50 p.m. 7th Grade Boys
- 4:10 p.m. 8th Grade Girls
- 4:30 p.m. 8th Grade Boys
All supporters are reminded to be aware of, and be respectful of all finishers still on the course, when cheering on the course. Come support the Hawks!
