Cavemen Harriers Ranked No. 1 in Class 5A

By Don Eskins

Carlsbad High’s Cavemen cross country team vaulted to the number one spot in this week’s October 11-18 Class 5A MileSplit Top 10 Rankings.

Steadily progressing throughout 2026, the Cavemen sit at the No. 1 spot for the first time in Carlsbad High School history.

As expected, the Cavemen Blueclads, along with head coach Michael Sims, couldn’t be more excited.

“Our kids have been working really hard, improving as a team, and cutting times just about every week. We—our kids and coaching staff—couldn’t be more excited about learning that they’ve been ranked No. 1 by MileSplit,” said Sims. “This says a lot about the quality of kids we have here at CHS.”

Turning in Carlsbad’s best time in gathering the MileSplit’s No. 1 ranking was Javion Scott with a 16:16.

“Javion has been steady for us all season,” said the CHS coach. “Nobody works harder than Javion, and we’ll be depending on him a lot as we move closer to district and state.”

But grabbing the MileSplit’s No. 1 spot wasn’t the only good news gathered by the Cavemen cross country team. Harrier Mason Medrano, only a junior high student, has been ranked by MileSplit as the No. 1 eighth grader in the state.

“Mason, by far, is the most impressive eighth grader we’ve ever seen,” said coach Sims. “So young, and already one of New Mexico’s most talented harriers, the future looks to be very bright for him.”

Sims said that to determine the rankings, MileSplit puts together a mock meet, featuring the best times turned in this season by New Mexico’s Class 5A prep athletes.

“We told our kids this ranking was all about them. It reflects on all the effort and hard work they’ve been putting in each week,” said Sims. “We also told them to remember how all the hard work has helped them to achieve this feat, and that efforts like this can help them to achieve other goals in their lives.”

As with most celebrations associated with sports, including the Cavemen, life moves on.

“With district set for October 30 and state November 7, we still have a lot of season and a lot of hard work ahead of us,” said Sims. “For a start, we’ll be on the road on Saturday, October 17, to compete in the Albuquerque Academy Invitational. It will be a tough one.”

Cavemen 2nd at Artesia

The Carlsbad Cavemen, in a tough field featuring 17 teams, grabbed runner-up honors at the Artesia Invitational on Saturday, October 9.

“This was a tough meet. We finished second behind Taos. They’re probably the best team, barring all classes, in New Mexico right now,” said Sims. “Our boys competed well, though.

“We finished ahead of the Clovis Wildcats, who had previously been ranked No. 1,” he said. “Topping the Wildcats, no doubt, has played a major role in our kids’ ascension to this week’s MileSplit No. 1 spot.”

Rex Reynolds, who placed 11th with a time of 16:17, led all Cavemen harriers.

“At Artesia, Rex turned in his best time since our Eastwood meet. Not only was it his best time of the season; it was also a lifetime best for him. Having struggled some the past few weeks, it’s great to have him back,” said coach Sims. “Rex and Javion Scott—who, in finishing 14th, was only four seconds behind Rex with a time of 16:21—should provide us with a strong front down the stretch.

“But Rex and Javion weren’t our only athletes to experience a great meet in Artesia,” said the CHS coach. “Except for Javion, all the Cavemen, along with a few of our Cavegirl runners, turned in lifetime bests.”

Rounding out the Cavemen’s scorecard was 17. Josiah Waddle, 16:28; 19. Kaleb Vasquez, 16:31; 25. Mason Medrano, 17:06; 34. Kleyvin Hernandez, 17:23; and 38. Caisen Smith, 17:29.

The Cavegirls placed seventh among a field of 10 in Artesia.

Rainelle Ruiz, who turned in a time of 20:11 to place 11th, paced the Cavegirl effort.

Also contributing to the Cavegirl scorecard were 46. Soledad Martinez, 22.27; 50, Alessandra Aguilar, 22:35; 60. Jollie Aguillard, 23:19; 66. Harmonie Frye, 23:43; 71. Jocelyn Baca, 24:12; and 83. Chaselynn Casey, 25.28.

Artesia Results

Boys’ Team Standings: CHS 2nd in a field of 17 teams; 137 runners

Cavemen: 11. Rex Reynolds, 16:17; 14. Javion Scott, 16:21; 17. Josiah Waddle, 16:28; 19. Kaleb Vasquez, 16:31; 25.Mason Medrano,17:06; 34. Kleyvin Hernandez, 17:23; 38. Caisen Smith, 17:29

Girls’ Team Standings: CHS 7th in a field of 10; 111 runners

Cavegirls: 11. Rainelle Ruiz, 20:11; 46. Soledad Martinez, 22.27; 50. Alessandra Aguilar, 22:35; 60. Jollie Aguillard, 23:19; 66. Harmonie Frye, 23:43; 71. Jocelyn Baca, 24:12; 83. Chaselynn Casey, 25.28.

Cavemen MileSplit No. 1 Times:

17. Javion Scott, 16:16; Rex Reynolds, 16:17; Josiah Waddle, 16:28; 19. Kaleb Vasquez, 16:31; 25.Mason Medrano, 17:06; 34. Kleyvin Hernandez, 17:23; 38. Caisen Smith, 17:29