Carlsbad High’s XC Teams to Compete at State

kmarksteiner0
1 hour ago
3 min read

By Don Eskins

The Cavemen and Cavegirl cross country teams will compete in the state tournament on Saturday, November 8. The tournament will get underway at 2:30 p.m. in Albuquerque.

Both teams punched their tickets to this year’s state tournament by virtue of placing third in this year’s District 4/5A tourney held in Roswell on Friday, October 31.

Although they didn’t finish first or second, nonetheless they are in the Big Dance.

“Placing third in both the boys’ and girls’ divisions wasn’t quite what we were looking for, but we still managed to qualify for state, so that’s always a good thing,” said CHS head cross country coach Michael Sims. “But both squads are very young, and most everybody will be back next year. We’ll only be losing one athlete, senior Jaydance Gutierrez, to graduation this year.

“As for running at state, the field is loaded, but it will be a great experience for our kids,” he said. “At state, I’m just hoping to see our kids improve the times they posted at the Albuquerque Academy Invitational tournament earlier this season.”

The Carlsbad boys scored 49 points en route to their third-place finish. Hobbs won this year’s event with 37, while Clovis finished second with 40. Fourth place went to the Roswell Coyotes with 114.

The Cavemen placed three runners among the races’ top ten placers. Sophomore Rex Reynolds led all Cavemen harriers with a time of 17:32. He finished third. Junior Kaleb Vasquez, with a time of 17:39, placed sixth, and sophomore Javion Scott, with a time of 17:46, placed seventh.

Reynolds, Vasquez, and Scott, having placed in the tournament’s top ten, gained All-District honors.

“I always knew Rex had it in him, so it was really nice to see all of the hard work he’s put in this year pay off for him,” said Sims. “But Kaleb and Javion also ran well. Having the three of them place among the top ten at district was really big for our program. They’ll all be back next year, and that’s good for us.”

The Cavegirls tallied 84 points in their third-place effort. Collecting this year’s tournament championship was Clovis with 19. Hobbs finished second with 51, and Roswell placed fourth with 85.

Cavegirl freshman Soledad Martinez crossed the tape first for the Cavegirls. She placed 12th with a time of 22:50. On Martinez’s heels was CHS freshman Rainelle Ruiz. Ruiz placed 13th with a time of 23:01.

“Soledad ran a smart race, which really paid off for her,” said coach Sims. “Finishing the district tournament as our top runner was a big milestone for her. Only a freshman, I think we’re going to see a lot more from her over the next three years.”

Boys’ District 4/5A Standings: 1. Hobbs. 37; 2. Clovis. 40; 3. Carlsbad. 49; and 4. Roswell, 114.

Cavemen: 3. Rex Reynolds, sophomore, 17:32.00; 6. Kaleb Vasquez, junior, 17:39.00; 7. Javion Scott, sophomore, 17:46.00; 14. Aiden Mendez, senior, 18:38.00; 19. Dany Hernandez, junior, 19:08.00; 23. Josiah Waddle, freshman, 19:25.00; 26. Caisen Smith, sophomore, 19:58.00; 29. Kleyvin Hernandez, freshman, 20:53.00; and 32. James Lopez, junior, 21:50.00.

Girls’ District 4/5A Standings: 1. Clovis, 19; 2. Hobbs, 51; 3. Carlsbad, 84; and 4. Roswell, 85.

Cavegirls: 12. Soledad Martinez, freshman, 22:50.00; 13. Rainelle Ruiz, freshman, 23:01.00; 20. Jocelyn Baca, sophomore, 24:17.00; 21. Alessandra Aguilar, sophomore, 24:53.00; 26. Alyssa Balencia, junior, 26:16.00; 29 Olivia Long, sophomore, 26:54.00; 30. Chaleesta Gonzales, sophomore, 28:29.00; 31. Jaydance Guitierrez, senior, 28:43.00.