EVHS runners before the start of their race at Saturday's UNM Invitational. Valley Daily Post photo
Cross Country Teams Face Off At UNM Meet
Staff Report
Local high school cross country teams traveled to Albuquerque this Labor Day weekend for the UNM Invitational meet, one of the largest cross-country events of the season.
Men’s varsity was highly competitive, with 275 runners and 38 schools competing from as far away as El Paso. The cross country powerhouse of Albuquerque Academy ended up securing first place for the men’s race but with Eldorado and Cleveland close behind.
Our local valley teams were led by Pojoaque’s Avery Torrez who led the Elks to a 15th place finish with a time of 17:25.50 and an average mile of 5:36.6. He was followed close behind by Dominic Roybal who finished with a time of 17:26.00 and mile average of 5:36.7.
EVHS’s Lorenzo Gasca led his team to 20
th place with a time in the 5 k run of 17:46.20, for an average mile time of 5;43.2. Sundevil Ryan Trujillo followed close behind with a time of 17:47.80.
The Women’s varsity run saw 245 runners from 34 schools compete. The 6A Rio Rancho team had a decisive win, with Albuquerque Academy and Cleveland fighting for 2nd place.
Pojoaque’s Megan Herrera led the Lady Elks with an impressive 64th place finish and time of 21:47.80 and mile time of 7:01.0. The Elks second place finisher was Michaela Martinez who’s time was 22:14.90 and a mile time of 7:09.7.
Espanola Valley’s Faith Trujillo led the Lady Sundevils with a time of 22:45.70 and an average mile of 7:19.6. Trujillo was immediately followed by teammate Jayden Archuleta with a time of 22:47.8 and mile average of 7:20.3.