LAMS XC team proudly display championship medals, banners and trophies following the state championships. From left Coach Holly Geimer, Reese Hill, Emma Justus, Caterina Mereghetti, Elisabeth McNiff, Maren Dixon, Gianna Rolfe, Rebekah Scott, Zoe Romero, Coach Paul Geimer holding Iris Geimer, Cullen McLean, Levi Gibson, Matthew Lausen, Luke Gibson, Adrian Medin, Kellen Jackson, Lucas Montoya and Head Coach Adrienne Hetrick. Courtesy photo
By PAULA KNEPPER
LAMS XC
After an undefeated regular season of six cross country (XC) events, Los Alamos Middle School (LAMS) Hawks XC athletes have captured the 2024 New Mexico State Championship!
The team traveled along with coaches, Adrienne Hetrick, Paul and Holly Geimer and Megan Rains to compete in the inaugural state championships held Friday, Oct. 18 at St. Pius in Albuquerque.
This was the first ever New Mexico Activities Association (NMAA) sponsored state championship event for MS XC teams and all NM MS teams, regardless of size or division, were invited to compete.
Levi Gibson followed by teammates Adrian Medin, Matthew Lausen, and Luke Gibson takes an early lead in a field of over 120 runners at St. Pius on Friday. Courtesy photo
The top seven athletes, plus one alternate, were invited to compete at the NMAA state championship. Coach Hetrick had a deep bench of more than 65 Hawk athletes to draw from. The Hawks XC girls team was made up of seven athletes—Maren Dixon, Elisabeth McNiff, Emma Justice, Zoe Romero, Caterina Mereghetti, Rebekah Scott and Gianna Rolfe. On the boys team, runners were Levi and Luke Gibson, Adrian Medin, Lucas Montoya, Matthew Lauren, Kellen Jackson and Cullen McLean. Both boys and girls teams substituted their alternates to run a complete seven-person team.
Nineteen New Mexico Misddle School teams competed at the state championships on Friday. The conditions on Friday were extreme—a high wind warning was in place for Albuquerque. Athletes had to fight the course headwinds in addition to the talented competition.
Maren Dixon with a strong finish coming in first for the girls team (5th overall) at the State championship. Courtesy photo
Gianna Rolfe followed by Rebekah Scott and Caterina Mereghetti at the state championship. Photo by Megan Lausen
Both girls and boys LAMS teams earned the top spot on the podium. In addition to winning the state championship, Levi Gibson (8th grade LAMS) finished at a blistering pace in first place for the boys race.
Levi Gibson followed by Cullen McLean and Lucas Montoya. Photo by Blake Wood
LAMS athletes finished the 2024 XC season of seven events undefeated. Following the state championship win, Coach Adrienne Hetrick said, “Today’s championship victory is a testament to the dedication and unity of our team. From the very beginning of the season, we set ambitious goals, and each athlete committed themselves to achieving them. As a coach, I recognized their potential early on, and with unwavering dedication, effort, and a positive attitude, it’s no surprise that we stand as state champions today. Success requires not only exceptional athletes but also a collective drive and hunger for achievement. This team cultivated that spirit from the outset, and it has propelled us to our first state championship title, and I could not be prouder.”
This achievement was the result of the entire team’s effort with the support of a dedicated coaching staff led by Head Coach Adrienne Hetrick that includes Paul and Holly Geimer, Megan Rains and Maria Musgrave.
Lucas Montoya at the NMAA state championship on Friday. Courtesy photo