Day: January 31, 2023

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars advanced to the Class 6A State Championship for the first time and placed seventh. Senior Diego Flores had a top 20 performance, finishing 18^th in 16:12.4. Franklin won its first district championship and advanced to state by placing fourth at the Region 1-6A meet where three runners placed in the top 16 – junior Matthew Engle (10^th in 15:48.4), Diego Flores (15^th, 15:58.20) and senior DenovanEstrada, (16^th, 15:58.60).

2. Coronado: The T-Birds finished sixth at the Region 1-6A Championship. Senior Luis Pastor won the regional title in 15:09.7 and placed tenth at state in 16:05.2.

3. San Elizario: The Eagles picked up another Class 4A state medal, finishing third. Senior Chris Moreno, who won the Region 1-4A title in 15:37.1, paced the team at state, placing sixth in 16:16.9. Junior Julian Guerra had a top 6 performance at regionals (16:01.6).

4. Eastwood: The Troopers finished second at the District 1-6A Championship and eighth at the Region 1-6A meet. Junior Alex Flores was the top Eastwood runner at regionals finishing 35^th in 16:29.90.

5. El Paso High: The Tigers won the District 1-5A Championship and placed eighth at regionals where sophomore Miles Westbrook was 14^th (16:18.5) and junior Leo Valenzuela was 17^th in 16:22.5 and advanced to state. At state, Westbrook was 53^rd in 16:41.0 and Valenzuela was 80^th in 17:05.7.

6. Pebble Hills: Although the team did not advance to regionals, senior Omer Ibrahim, the District 1-6A champion, was third in the region (15:23.2) and fifth at the state meet (15:50.6).

7. Tornillo: Three runners advanced to the Class 3A state championship. After finishing second at regionals (15:58.9), senior Angel Torres was fourth at state in 16:13.1. Junior Romero was third at regionals (16:14.4) and 55^th at state (17:39.1) and senior Bryan Castaneda was 63^rd in 17:44.1.

8. Americas: The Trailblazers finished fifth in the District 1-6A Championship.

9. Chapin: The Huskies finished the season 14^th in Region 1-5A. Braulio Torres was the top Chapin runner at regionals finishing 35^th in 16:53.60.

10. Hanks: The Knightswere 18^th at the Region 1-5A. Senior Alejandro Tarin earned a bronze medal finishing the regional course in 15:07.9. He would place 14^th at the Class 5A State Championship in 15:57.2.

Dropped out: Bel Air, Canutillo.

On the brink: None.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 15:07.90 (May Simmons Park, 10/24).

2, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 15:09.7 (Mae Simmons Park, 10/24).

3, Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 15:09.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

4, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 15:22.10 (Old Settlers Park, 9/24).

5, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 15:23.2 (Mae Simmons, 10/24).

6, Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 15:23.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

7, Diego Flores, Franklin, 15:26.04 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

8, Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 15:29.44 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

9, Leo Espino, Eastwood, 15:30.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

10, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 15:32.31 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

11, Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 15:37.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

12, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 15:39.55 (Tornillo, 9/9).

13, Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 15:40.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

14, Danny Torres, Eastwood, 15:45.9 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

15, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 15:52.10 (Old Settlers Park, 9/24).

16, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 15:58.95 (Mae Simmons, 10/24).

17, Edgar Valles, Coronado, 16:10.41 (Mary Keisling Park, 9/17).    

18, Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 16:14.9(Woodbridge, 9/16).

19, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 16:18.5 (Mae Simmons Park, 10/24).

20, Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 16:22.5 (Mae Simmons Park, 10/24).

21, Juan Leal, Franklin, 16:22.38 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

22, Braulio Torres, Chapin, 16:23.31 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Michael Castorena, Parkland, 16:28.40 (Mae Simmons Park, 10/24).

24, Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 16:28.95 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

25, Mathew Guerra, Burges 16:32.70 (Mae Simmons Park, 10/24).

Power Rankings

1, Luis Pastor, Coronado, 89 (5).

2, Daniel Romero, Tornillo, 88 (1).

3, Chris Moreno, San Elizario, 79 (5).

4, Angel Torres, Tornillo, 73 (2).

5, Miles Westbrook, El Paso, 60 (3).

6, Omer Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 58 (2).

7, Alejandro Tarin, Hanks, 56.

8, Matthew Engle, Franklin, 50.

9, Julian Guerra, San Elizario, 48.

10, Michael Castorena, Parkland, 47 (2).

Leo Valenzuela, El Paso, 41.

Edgar Valles, Coronado, 39 (1).

Diego Flores, Franklin, 39.

Israel Quintana, Immanuel, 32.

Braulio Torres, Chapin, 32.

Denovan Estrada, Franklin, 30.

Matthew Guerra, Burges, 25.

Alexander Flores, Eastwood, 24.

Edward Robledo-Gonzales, Mt. View, 24.

Jesus Herrera, Harmony Science, 24 (1).

Efren Moncada, Parkland, 23.

Preston Eastman, Coronado, 22.

Ulysses O’Rourke, El Paso, 26.

Ayden Lugo, El Paso, 25.

Leonardo Resendez, Bel Air, 20.

Ameen Ibrahim, Pebble Hills, 17 (1).

Noah Castorena, Pebble Hills, 17.

Anthony Casillas, Eastwood, 16.

Matthew Marshall, Eastwood, 14.

Esteban Aguilera, Canutillo, 13.

Seth Truax, Chapin, 12.

Angel Maese, San Elizario, 12.

Juan Leal, Franklin, 11.

Lorenzo Shields, El Paso, 11.

William Potter, Bel Air, 11.

Oscar Guzman, Franklin, 10.

Leo Espino, Eastwood, 9.

Max Sandhu, Coronado, 9.

Carlos Mendez, Coronado, 9.

Ethan Fontaine, Franklin, 9.

Nathaniel Delgado-Rodriguez, Austin, 9.

Kevin Perez, Riverside, 8.

Jacob Noble, Cathedral, 8.

Elijah Noble, Cathedral, 7.

Sebastian Gonzalez, Franklin, 7.

Pablo Fuentes, Riverside, 7.

Bryan Castaneda, Tornillo, 7.

Diego Romero, Americas, 6.

Cesar Ruiz, Del Valle, 6.

Angel Navarrete, Riverside, 6.

Gustavo Salazar, San Elizario, 6.

Andrew Hernandez, El Paso, 5.

Aidan Danny Torres, Eastwood, 5.

Julian Miramontes, Eastwood, 5.

Sean Sanchez, Chapin, 5.

Hernnan Duarte, Bel Air, 5.

Emilio Solano, San Elizario, 5.

Pedro Jimenez, Austin, 5.

Zachary Rivas, Pebble Hills, 4.

Sam Flores, Coronado, 4.

Joaquin Moya, El Paso, 4.

Eirik Arredondo, Austin, 4.

Matthew Maese, San Elizario, 4.

Adam Ramirez, Montwood, 3.

Sam Breceda, Coronado, 3.

Austen Percifull, Franklin, 3.

Robert Dickerson, Pebble Hills, 3.

Omar Rivera, Canutillo, 3.

Angel Gomez, Hanks, 3

Francisco Reyes, Jefferson 3.

Jeremiah Loustaunau, Austin, 3.

Luis Marquez, San Elizario, 3.

Joaquin Chavez, Eastwood, 2.

Aidan Hernandez, Eastlake, 2.

Lorenzo Shields, Coronado, 2.

Gabriel Uranga, Franklin, 2.

Damian Espinoza, Del Valle, 2.

Dauntae Herrera, Chapin, 2.

Adam Valdiviezo, Riverside, 2.

Rafael Gomez, Fabens, 2.

Micha Lay, Pebble Hills, 1.

Sulliman Rodriguez, Eastwood, 1.

Isaac Ortega, Jefferson, 1.

Renee Galaviz, Socorro, 1.

Owen Rubio, Ysleta, 1.

Cesar Duran, Bowie, 1.

Marin Maldanado, Valle Verde Early College, 1.

Here’s putting a lid on the 2022 girls cross country season.

For questions, videos and photos email vrmart66@gmail.com.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars had a great 2022 season, winning its fifth straight District 1-6A title, finishing third at the Region 1-6A championship and seventh at the state championship. It was Franklin’s third trip to state in four years. The Cougars future looks bright with freshman Emily Orr and Abigail Pinon, sophomore Sophia Keiser and junior Victoria Hoyt returning next season. Seniors Abby Barraza, Alyssa Laspada and Sofia Camacho provided the leadership the past four years.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers finished second in District 1-6A and ninth at the Region 1-6A Championship. The team was led by sophomore Adelynn Rodriguez won the district title, was 12^th at regionals and 43^rd at state.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans placed third at the District 1-6A Championship and for the first time in school history, advanced to the regionals where the team finished 18^th. Natalia Martinez Lopezwas the lone senior, so it appears Pebble Hills is prepared for the 2023 season with juniors Carolina Zarrabal and Natalie Franco and freshman Aubrey Arsenault.

4. Montwood: The Rams placed fourth at the District 1-6A Championship but two runners – senior Kassandra Jimenez and freshman Mia Hairston – advanced to regionals. Jimenez was 23^rd and Hairston was 56th.

5. El Paso High: The Tigers won the District 1-5A Championship and were the top El Paso team at regionals, placing ninth. The young Tigers top runners were junior Andrea Castillo, senior Jezarae Valenzuela, freshman Clarissa Castillo and junior Sofia Ramirez. Castillo was 31^st at regionals.

6. Canutillo: The Eagles finished second at the District 1-5A Championship and 16^th at regionals. The Eagles were led by senior Natalie Rivera, freshman Nevaeh Escobedo and senior Jennifer Najar. Rivera was the top El Paso runner at regionals finishing 22^nd in 20:01.40.

7. Hanks: The Knights won the District 2-5A Championship and finished 17^th at regionals. The Knights are young and were led by junior Destinee Loeza, sophomore Elizabeth Aguirre and a pair of freshman Lily Arias and Alina Levario. Hanks has served notice for great things to come.

8. Soccoro: The Bulldogs finished the season with a fifth-place finish at the District 1-6A Championship with two runners in the top 20 – Nadine Vilaasana (18^th, 21:46.09) and Mea Workman (19^th, 21:52.90).

9. Chapin: The Huskies finished third at the District 1-5A Championship, earning them a berth to the Region 1-5A Championship. The team was led by senior Gianny Correa won the district individual title in 19:36.58 and sophomore Rebecca Duran. Correa was 23^rd at regionals in 20:01.40

10. Eastlake: The Falcons finished sixth at the District 1-6A Championship. Its top runner was freshman Chloe Del Real.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: None.

Top Times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:04.4 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:44.75 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

3, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 18:45.2 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

4, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 18:52.7 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

5, Emily Orr, Franklin, 18:53.6 (Mae Simmons, 10/24).

6, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 18:58.19 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

7, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:58.74 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

8, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:59.60 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

9, Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 19:06.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

10, Giovanna Zubia, Eastwood, 19:12.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

11, Abigail Barraza, Franklin, 19:34.09 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

12, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 19:35.11 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

13, Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 19:36.53 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

14, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 19:36.58 (Mary Frances Keisling, 10/14).

15, Mia Hairston, Montwood, 19:38.5 (The Woodlands, 10/1).

16, Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 19:42.0 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

17, Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 19:43.8 (Woodbridge, 9/16).

18, Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 19:45.68 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

19, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 19:47.10 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

20, Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 19:46.69 (Shawver Park, 9/10).

21, Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 19:58.44 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

22, Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 20:04.43 (Blackie Chesher, 9/2).

23, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 20:14.40 (Mae Simmons, 10/24).

24, Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 20:16.05 (Southlake Carroll, 8/27).

25, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:18.00 (Mae Simmons, 10/24).

Power Rankings

1, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 77 (4).

2, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 62 (2).

3, Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 50 (2).

4, Mia Hairston, Montwood, 47.

5, Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 45 (2).

6, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 37 (2).

7, Emily Orr, Franklin, 36.

8, Gianny Correa, Chapin, 35 (1).

8, Elizabeth Aguirre, Hanks, 35.

10, Abigail Pinon, Franklin, 34 (1).

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 32.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 29.

Natalia Martinez Lopez, Pebble Hills, 26 (1).

Camila Luna, Riverside, 25 (2).

Victoria Hoyt, Franklin, 24.

Jeanette Rivera, Young Women’s, 24.

Nevaeh Escobedo, Canutillo, 23.

Kim Castro, Riverside, 23.

Destinee Loeza, Hanks, 22.

Marysol Vidal, Bel Air, 22.

Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 21 (1).

Rebecca Duran, Chapin, 21.

Aubrey Arsenault, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 16.

Clarissa Castillo, El Paso, 16.

Itzel Chavez, Eastlake, 15.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 15.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 15.

Keilah Valenzuela Garcia, Burges, 15.

Nohemi Garcia, Jefferson, 15 (1).

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso, 15.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 15.

Hillary Hernandez, Riverside, 14.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 14.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 13.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 13 (1).

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 12.

Antoinette Ogaz, Fabens, 12.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 10.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 10.

Sienna Zarate, Franklin, 10 (1).

Kylee Pardo, San Elizario, 10 (1).

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 9.

Alexandra Ordaz, San Elizario, 9.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 9.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 8.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 8.

Natalie Martinez, Eastlake, 8.

Isabella Villalobos, Chapin, 8.

Jaquelin Gonzalez, Horizon, 8.     

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 8.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 7.

Nadine Villasana, Socorro, 7.

Paula Tapia, Riverside, 7.

Hannah Martinez, Franklin, 7.

Sophia Keiser, Franklin, 7.

Ava Maldonado, Chapin, 7.

Estephanie Tena, Horizon, 7.

Jayleen Robles, Austin, 7.

Wendy Garcia, Tornillo, 7.     

Itzel Dean, Horizon, 6.

Kylie Alvarez, El Paso, 6.

Breckyn Wiebe, Franklin, 6.

Angelina Alvarez, Burges, 6.

Calista Sakellakos, El Paso, 6.

Lily Arias, Hanks, 6.

Brianna Ibarra, Tornillo, 6.

Zoe Estrada-Moreno, Irvin, 6

Mea Workman, Socorro, 5.

Paris Jones, Burges, 5.

Shani Malone, Franklin, 5.

Yatznelly Galindo, Harmony, 5.

Jisclem Camacho, Riverside, 5.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 5.

Chloe Del Real, Eastlake, 4.

Annika Cuellar, Eastwood, 4.

Andrea Iniguez, Andress, 4.

Ashley White, Hanks, 4.

Carolyna Noriega, Bel Air, 4.

Briana Mancillas, San Elizario, 4.

Lluvia Armendariz-Padilla, Young Womens, 4.

Isabella Galindo, Coronado, 3.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 3.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 3.

Olivia Elder, Franklin, 3.

Nat Escajeda, Tornillo, 3.

Marfil Sandino, El Paso, 3.

Aleah Ortiz, El Paso 3.

Alina Levario, Hanks, 3.

Jenisa Gomez, Young Womens Leadership, 3.

Arianna Castaneda, Canutillo, 2.

Nahlur Gurrola, Eastwood, 2.

Dalia Santiesteban, Austin, 2.

Avery Guerrero, Valle Verde Early College, 2.

Sarah Dovenbarger, Eastlake, 1.

Madison Leedom, Hanks, 1.

Alina Caballero, Socorro, 1.

Kayla Hicks, Franklin, 1.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 1.

A’Ishah Smith, Chapin, 1.

Jessica Fino, Hanks, 1

Jefet  Trejo,  Austin, 1.