High School Girls XC Poll: Week 2

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top girls cross country runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 150 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

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

This week’s schedule

Rudy Alvarez Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Del Valle High School. Burges, Coronado, Andress, Chapin, Pebble Hills, Socorro, Montwood, El Dorado, Eastwood, Valle Verde, Riverside, Del Valle, Hanks, Parkland, Bel Air, YWLA, Ft. Hancock, LPI, Harmony, Fabens, Cathedral, San Elizario, Clint, Horizon, Mt View, Eastlake.

Gadsden ISD Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Chaparral High School. El Paso, Irvin, Santa Teresa, Chaparral, Gadsden, Ruidoso, Canutillo, Anthony.

Centennial Invite: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Centennial High School in Las Cruces. Bowie.

Southlake Carroll Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at Southlake Carroll. Franklin.

Albuquerque Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 28 at the University of New Mexico. Austin, Ysleta, Americas.

There is only one major in-town meet this week in El Paso – the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle. The other meets are the Gadsden Invitational, the Centennial Invite, Albuquerque Invitational and the Southlake Carroll Invitational.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars won the Canutillo Invitational with a perfect score of 15. Junior Alyssa Laspada won the individual title in a time of 18:51.55. Senior Jordan Torres was third (19:22.07), senior Jenna Saunders was fourth (19:59.91), junior Abby Barraza was sixth (20:05.66) and junior Sofia Camacho was seventh in 20:27.15. Franklin will travel to Dallas on Saturday to compete at the Southlake Carroll Invitational.

2. Montwood: The Rams did not run a full team at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational. Senior Alexa Rangel did finish fourth in 21:36.22 and junior Jazmine Miranda was 11^th in 22:10.28. Expect the Rams to be at full strength at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

3. Eastwood: The Troopers rested its top five runners at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational and still managed a second-place finish with 57 points. Three runners finished in the top 15 including Annika Cuellar (12^th, 22:40.60), Giavanna Zubia (13^th, 22:45.54) and Jasmine Martinez (15^th, 22:56.72). Eastwood will race at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

4. Jefferson: The Foxes did not run a full team at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational. Senior Monique Correra finished sixth in 21:45.01 and senior Crystal Peterson was 14^th in 22:47.25). Jefferson will race at the Gadsden ISD Invitational at Chaparral High School on Saturday.

5. Bel Air: Senior Abigail Murillo was lone Highlander to race at the Canutillo Invitational, finishing 16^th in a 21:41.12. The team is scheduled to race at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

6. Coronado: The T-Birds finished second at the Canutillo Invitational with 55 points. Coronado had four runners finishing in the 9 through 14 spots. Sophomore Caroline Pitchkolan was the low-stick runner finishing in 20:52.26 followed by classmate Alexa Lawrence (10^th, 20:55.11), senior Banah Abdeljaber (13^th, 21:21.56) and junior Kyra Walker (14^th, 21:22.72). The team will Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

7. Pebble Hills: The Spartans move up two spots after winning the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational with 32 points. Junior Natalia Martinez won the race in 20:43.20. Sophomore Carolina Zarrabal was third in 21:19.44 and sophomore Natalie Franco was seventh in 21:53.35. Pebble Hills will race in a loaded field at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

8. Hanks: The Knights raced to a third-place finish at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational with 83 points. Seniors Mia Rivera was second in 20:52.89 and Elizabeth Aguirre was 20^th in 23:12.34. The team will race at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

9. Del Valle: The Conquistadores move up one after its fourth-place finish at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational. The team finished with 83 points, the same amount as Hanks. Del Valle had two runners finish in the top 10 – Anisa Sanchez (5^th, 21:44.42) and senior Disany Sandoval (8^th, 21:59.04). Del Valle will race at its own invitational on Saturday.

10. Socorro: The Bulldogs make its season debut into the top 10 after placing third at the Canutillo Invitational with 82 points. Senior Ana Rojas was 8^th in 20:33.84. Two other runners had top 20 races – senior Andrea Estrada (18^th, 22:18.66) and senior Yanitza Olivares (19^th, 22:19.96). The team will race at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle on Saturday.

Dropped out: El Paso High.

On the brink: Burges.

Franklin junior Alyssa Laspada won the individual title at the Canutillo Invitational in a time of 18:51.55 – tops in the city after two weeks.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:51.55 (Canutillo, 8/21).

2, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 19:11.82 (Canutillo, 8/21).

3, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:22.07 (Canutillo, 8/21).

4, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:59.91 (Canutillo, 8/21).

5, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 20:02.59 (Canutillo, 8/21).

6, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 20:05.66 (Canutillo, 8/21).

7, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:27.15 (Canutillo, 8/21).

8, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 20:33.84 (Canutillo, 8/21).

9, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 20:43.20 (Tornillo, 8/21).

10, Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 20:52.26 (Canutillo, 8/21).

11, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 20:52.89 (Tornillo, 8/21).

12, Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 20:55.11 (Canutillo, 8/21).

13, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:55.60 (Canutillo, 8/21).

14, Isabella Medina, Americas, 21:03.20 (Canutillo, 8/21).

15, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 21:19.44 (Tornillo, 8/21).

16, Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 21:21.56 (Canutillo, 8/21).

17, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 21:22.72 (Canutillo, 8/21)

18, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 21:36.22 (Tornillo, 8/21).

19, Dana Cano, Canutillo, 21:37.71 (Canutillo, 8/21).

20, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 21:41.12 (Canutillo, 8/21).

21, Kayla Hicks, Franklin, 21:44.03 (Canutillo, 8/21).

22, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 21:44.42 (Tornillo, 8/21).

23, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 21:45.01 (Tornillo, 8/21).

24, Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 21:53.35 (Tornillo, 8/21).

25, Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 21:59.04 (Tornillo, 8/21).

After a wet opening week, the season got off to a full start on Saturday. As week three approaches, teams are still searching for the right seven to build a foundation for later in the season.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18 (1).

2, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 15.

3, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 13.

4, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 11.

5, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 10 (1).

5, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 10.

5, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 10 (1).

8, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 9.

8, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 9.

10, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 8.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 7.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 6.

Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 6.

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 5.

Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 4.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 4.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 3.

Ana Rojas, Coronado, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 1.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 1.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 1.

Monday Cool Down: Young Spartans find success

As Natalia Martinez toed the white chalk at the end zone of Tornillo High School’s football field, her heart was pumping a little faster than usual on Saturday morning.

It typically does when a cross country runner steps to the starting line, patiently waiting for the starter’s pistol to echo through the humid air.

“It was my first race, so I was super nervous,” Martinez said. “I looked down the line and all the girls looked really fast, and I started to doubt myself. But when I started running and got out in front, I felt good, I felt better about myself.”

Pebble Hills junior Natalia Martinez won her maiden cross country race at the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational.

Martinez, who is a soccer player by nature, felt a whole lot better after finishing the 3.1-mile desert course in 20:23.20, to win the Tornillo/San Elizario Invitational in her first race – EVER.

“At the beginning, maybe the first mile, I thought to myself, ‘hey, this isn’t so bad after all,’” she said. “It was later in the race when I really felt fatigued and I honestly thought about walking but I was halfway through it, so I said, ‘I’ll just finish it.’”

Martinez, a junior, was convinced by a friend this summer to give cross country a try.

“It’s fun, except when it feels like I’m going to die,” she joked.

Martinez first-place finish, Carolina Zarrabal’s third-place finish (21:19.44) and Natalie Franco’s seventh-place finish (21:53.35) led the Spartans to a team championship.

“We have a great team,” Martinez said. “We have a great dynamic and we push each other. It looks like we’re going to have a very good season together.”

Earlier in the morning, Omer Ibrahim – another Pebble Hills junior – won the boys race in 15:49.84 – a new course record.

“Coming into the race, I honestly didn’t feel too well but I was able to push through it,” Ibrahim said. “As the race went on, I felt better and in control and I kept going and going and going and finished strong.”

Omer Ibrahim, a junior at Pebble Hills, won the boys race in 15:49.84 – a new course record.

It was the first time in race history that a runner broke the 16-minute barrier.

“I’m very happy with the race,” he said. “I love training, I love running, it’s my escape route. Whenever I have issues or when I’m angry I let it out on the field, and it feels great. I feel relieved, I feel energized, I feel awesome.”

The boys finished second with 83 points.

“I’m excited about what the future holds for us,” said Basher Ibrahim, Pebble Hills cross country coach. “Both teams are young but I’m very proud of both teams, they did awesome, especially the girls, I think they have a really good chance to go to regionals.”

In a difficult District 1-6A with the likes of Franklin, Montwood and Eastwood making it to regionals could be a tall task for the young Spartans.

“The district is tough, but we take it one day at a time,” coach Ibrahim said. “I tell the kids it’s not about winning or losing it’s about doing your best and showing improvement every week. If you truly do your best, you can’t be disappointed in yourself, and nobody can be disappointed in you. The whole team gave it their best.”

Onward and Upward: El Paso cross country looks ahead to a brighter 2021

The 2020 cross country season was unprecedented.

It was a year where the season was one COVID-19 spike away from being cancelled. Matter of fact, the district championships were in serious jeopardy due to a surge in cases and hospitalizations.

A year later, with the pandemic still lingering, cross country athletes across the county are preparing for a long, grueling four months with hopes of earning a trip to the state championship on Nov. 6 in Round Rock.

The 2021 season begins Friday night at 11:25 p.m. with Montwood’s Race to Midnight at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex and on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the Mountain View High School Cross Country Invitational.

The San Elizario boys are working toward defending its Class 4A state title and the Eastwood boys are hoping to improve on their Class 6A runner-up finish from last year.

The Franklin girls will be seeking its third consecutive trip to state. The Cougars finished fourth behind state champ Lewisville Flower Mound, Southlake Carroll Conroe The Woodlands.

A new season brings new hope for El Paso runners. Key dates to remember are Oct. 16 (districts), Oct. 25 (regional) and Nov. 6 (state championship).

Individually, Eastlake senior Israel David is shooting for another opportunity to return to the state medal stand after finishing with a bronze at last year’s Class 6A race.

Also look for a strong season from Coronado junior Luis Pastor, Americas seniors Jared Laverty and Carmelo Corral, Eastwood seniors Isaac Mendoza and Andres Gurrola, Pebble Hills junior Omer Ibrahim, Hanks junior Alejandro Tarin, San Eliario junior Chris Moreno and Riverside senior Andrew Valdiviezo and Tornillo junior Angel Torres and freshman Daniel Romero.

Eastlake senior Israel David (left) is the top returning runner. David earned a bronze medal at last year’s Class 6A race.

On the girl’s side, Eastwood senior Lauren Walls-Portillo looks to have a breakout season. Walls-Portillo finished 17^th at last year’s Class 6A state championship. Also look for Franklin juniors Alyssa Laspada, Jenna Saunders and Michele Paillard to have strong seasons as well as Montwood junior Kassandra Jimenez and Jefferson seniors Monique Correa and Crystal Peterson.

Eastwood senior Lauren Walls-Portillo finished 17th at last year’s Class 6A state championship. Walls-Portillo hopes to lead the Troopers back to regionals.

The season begins Friday night at 11:25 p.m. with Montwood’s Race to Midnight at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex and on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. at the Mountain View High School Cross Country Invitational.

Here is a look at the top 10 teams heading into the 2021 season.

Eastwood Andres Gurrola is one of six seniors for the Troopers. Eastwood finished 2020 with Class 6A state silver medal.

BOYS

Eastwood: The Troopers finished 2020 with Class 6A state silver medal, just six points behind Southlake Carroll. The Troopers are in reload mode after losing four of its top five state finishers. Seniors Isaac Mendoza, Andres Gurrola and Victor Anchondo looked strong at the 5^th annual Parra Law Road Race a few weeks ago. The team will look for seniors Nick Parra, Devon Paez and Dylan Sandoval and sophomore Jacob Beckett to pick up some points on the back end. The team is seeking its eighth straight state berth.

2. Americas: The Trailblazers missed out on its third consecutive Class 6A state trip, finishing fourth place at last year’s regionals. Seniors Jared Laverty, Carmelo Corral and Aaron Saenz will be the front of the pack runners for Americas but will need to find four consistent runners on the back end to compete at the regional level.

3. San Elizario: The Eagles earned it seventh straight trip to state last year where the team won the Class 4A state championship. San Elizario lost its top two runners from last season and will lean on junior Chris Moreno and seniors Irvin Vazquez and Alan Ceballos for a possible return trip to Round Rock.

4. Coronado: The T-Birds will be led by juniors Luis Pastor and Sam Breceda, senior Stephen Pitchkolan with sophomore Carlos Mendez and junior Sam Flores filling out the top five. Look for Coronado to challenge for a spot to the Class 6A regional.

5. Franklin: The Cougars were young last year and it showed at the beginning of the season. Franklin showed great improvement as the season progressed and hope to build on that behind juniors Rai Lopez and Diego Flores and sophomores Matthew Engle and Sebastian Gonzalez, who were competitive at the Parra Law Road Race at Vista Hills Country Club. If healthy, Franklin should be strong enough to contend for a shot at regionals.

6. Hanks: The Knightshave a pair of solid runners – junior Alejandro Tarin and senior Gael Alvarado – who are capable of reaching state. Matter of fact, Tarin was a Class 5A qualifier and finished in the top 50. Hanks could contend for a district title depending on an unexperienced next five of seniors Matthew Abeyta and Daniel George and juniors Andres Garcia, Angel Gomez and Gael Ornales.

7. Cathedral: The Irish return six runners from a team that missed out on a state bronze medal at the Class 6A TAPPS state championship in 2020. A trio of juniors – Bernard Martinez, Elijah Noble and Jacob Noble – will lead the team with seniors Dylan Lorilla and Marcos Garcia, junior Victor Martinez and sophomore Preston Arnett adding additional back-end points.

8. Tornillo: Tornillo has established itself as a Class 3A state power, making 11 state appearances in the past 12 years. Sophomore Daniel Romero and junior Angel Torres will lead the team again this year. Torres was fourth and Romero finished 12 at last year’s state championship. The Coyotes are in desperate need of depth in order for a return to state.

9. Pebble Hills: For the first time in school history, the Spartans make an appearance in the pre-season Top 10. Junior Omer Ibrahim will lead a young promising Pebble Hills team. Junior Noah Castorena and Fernando Morales should help on the front end. The Spartans will definitely be a team to watch in the next few years.

10. Burges: The Mustangs return three seniors – David Herrera, Aaron Gomez and Julian Maldonado – with Region 1-5A meet experience. The defending four-time District 1-5A will be in for another solid season.

Dropped out: None.
On the verge: Bel Air, El Paso High, Riverside.

Junior Alyssa Laspada leads the Cougars this season. Franklin has made the Class 6A state championship the past two years and have won the past three District 1-6A team championships.

Girls

1. Franklin: The Cougars have made two consecutive trips to the Class 6A state meet and have won three straight District 1-6A team championships. In order to maintain that level of racing, the Cougars will rely on a pair of seniors (Jenna Saunders and Jordan Torres) and four juniors led by Alyssa Laspada, Abigail Barraza, Sofia Camacho and Michelle Paillard. All six have been on varsity since their freshman season so expect similar results in 2021.

2. Montwood: The Rams finished seventh in Region 1-6A in 2020 with Kassandra Jimenez advancing to state. The junior will lead a talented squad that includes junior Jazmine Miranda and senior Alexa Rangel. This could be another big season for the Rams.

3. Eastwood: Senior Lauren Walls-Portillo, who finished 17^th at the Class 6A state championship, is poised to take over the reigns as El Paso top female runner. Eastwood, which missed out on regionals last year, will need big seasons from newcomer Adelynn Rodriguez, seniors Adalia Olmos and Jasmine Martinez and juniors Salma Licon and Sophia Watts.

4. Jefferson: Seniors Monique Correra and Crystal Peterson are District 1-5A’s top runners. In order for the Foxes to return to Regionals, they will need consistency from seniors Jelia Lugo and Sophia Hernandez. Jefferson typically begins to peak in the second part of the season so don’t expect too much in the first month.

5. Bel Air: The Highlanders, which won its first district championship since 1982 last fall, will be led by seniors Abigail Murillo and Jaylee Levario. The questions is – can Bel Air find three runners to fill in for the three quality seniors it lost to graduation?

6. Coronado: The T-Birds have the potential to contend for a regional berth with the return of juniors Kyra Walker and senior Banah Abdeljaber. Junior Sonya Lee and sophomore Alexa Lawrence will provide some back-end support but Coronado must find some depth to complete the 5-7 spots.

7. El Paso High: El Paso High will try to build off its District 1-5A championship trip to the Region 1, Class 5A championship. Juniors Shayla Cohen Jones and Jezarae Valenzuela are the top returnees for the Tigers. El Paso is not a deep team so it might take some time before they reach its full potential.

8. Hanks: Seniors Mia Rivera and Madison Spencer hope to use their leadership to propel the Knights. Junior Ashley White and senior Ashley Ibarra will gobble up some points. Hanks will need some help in in the 5-7 spots to contend for a spot to the Region 1-5A championship.

9. Pebble Hills: For the first time in school history, the Spartans crack the pre-season top 10. The team will be led by newcomer Natalia Martinez who is nursing a minor injury. She will be supported by sophomores Natalie Franco and Carolina Zarrabal, Krystal Talavera and Alexis McBride. In a very competitive District 1-6A, Pebble Hills could be a season away from contending for a spot to regionals.

10. Del Valle: The Conquistadores return its top three runners from a team that finished fourth in District 2-5A. Senior Disany Sandoval, sophomore Jaslyne Ramirez and junior Valeria Loo-Kung hope to lead Del Valle to a top three district finish and a trip to regionals.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Burges, Socorro.

Tornillo finishes in 7th in Class 3A; Angel Torres named All State

Make Plans

What: UIL State Cross Country Championship.

When:. Tuesday, Nov. 24: Class 4A boys, 11:30 a.m.; Class 6A girls, 1:30 p.m.; Class 6A boys, 2:15 p.m.

Where: Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

At Stake: State team and individual titles.

Tornillo sophomore Angel Torres (center) earned All State honors after finishing sixth in Class 3A in 16:06.03. Sophomore Kylene Elias (left) and freshman Daniel Romero (right), were state nominated runners.

Day one of the 2020 UIL Cross Country Championship did not go as expected for El Paso Class 3A and 5A athletes.

The day ended with only one All State runner – Tornillo sophomore Angel Torres – who finished sixth in Class 3A in 16:06.03.

“I usually start slow but I had to man-up and start fast and it paid off,” Torres said. “It was a special feeling being able to represent Tornillo like that. I never thought this could happen but I knew I had the potential to do it.”

Tornillo coach Jesse Garcia said he knew Torres could be a top 10 runner.

“I told him before the race that I knew he had a whole other level but for some reason he seems afraid to reach it,” Garcia said. “I told him I know it’s there, just bring it, release it and that’s exactly what he did. He finally learned how to run at a big varsity event, hopefully he grows from here.”

The team placed seventh with 178 points. Presidio, which runs in the same district as Tornillo, won the state championship with 65 points followed by Valley View (101) and Whitesboro (102).

Freshman Daniel Romero was 21^st in 16:33.23, seniors Bryan Garcia (53^rd, 17:05.24) and senior Michael Maney (87^th, 17:44.05) finished 3rd and 4th for Tornillo while junior Bryan Guzman (122nd, 20:56.32), who was nursing an injury was Tornillo’s fifth man.

“It was a rollercoaster of season, so many ups and downs,” Garcia said. “It felt like an obstacle course. There were one too many things to deal with this season. It really was a season that wasn’t supposed to happen but yet we managed to get to state again.”

It was the 11^th Tornillo team to advance to state in the past 12 years.

“I am really proud of the kids,” he said. “We could have given up a long time ago, yet they were resilient. Am I happy with our performance at state – no – but it was a learning experience and we got through the season.

Tornillo sophomore Kylene Elias finished in 14^th place in the girl’s two-mile race in 12:32.69.

In Class 5A boys, Chapin’s Joaquin Ortega capped his senior year finishing 42^nd at state in 16:06.82, Hanks sophomore Alex Tarin was 47^th in 16:07.77 and El Paso High senior Josep Ferret was 106^th in 17:13.37.

The two girls representing El Paso in Class 5A finished back-to-back – Jefferson junior Monique Correa was 100^th in 19:52.85 and Burges junior Pamela Ramirez was 101^st in 19:53.14.

12 athletes seek state glory; Americas’ Laverty overcomes early-season struggles to advance

State Championship Previews

Today: Tornillo boys.

Thursday: San Elizario boys.

Friday: Eastwood boys.

Saturday: Franklin girls.

Sunday: Individual qualifiers. Class 6A – Americas senior Michael Mier; Americas junior Jared Laverty; Eastlake junior Israel David; Eastwood junior, Lauren Walls-Portillo and Montwood sophomore, Kassandra Jimenez. Class 5A – Burges junior, Pamela Ramirez; Jefferson junior, Monique Correa; El Paso High senior, Josep Ferret; Hanks sophomore, Alejandro Tarin; Chapin senior, Joaquin Ortega, Chapin. Class 4A – Riverside junior, Andrew Valdiviezo. Class 3A – Tornillo sophomore, Kylene Elias.

Make Plans

What: UIL State Cross Country Championship.

When: Monday, Nov. 23. All times (MDT): Class 3A girls, 10:45 a.m.; Class 3A boys, 11:30 a.m.; Class 5A girls, 1:30 p.m.; Class 5A boys, 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24: Class 4A boys, 11:30 a.m.; Class 6A girls, 1:30 p.m.; Class 6A boys, 2:15 p.m.

Where: Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

At Stake: State team and individual titles.

Americas Jared Laverty had to overcome a number of obstacles this season but persevered and earned a third state appearance.

The 2020 UIL State Cross Country Championship will be bit different for Americas junior Jared Laverty.

The previous two seasons, Americas had qualified as a team.

However, the Trailblazers finished fourth in Region 1, eight points out of state contention. In a non-pandemic year, Americas would have qualified for its third straight state championship meet.

“I would prefer to have my team with me like the past couple of years,” Laverty said. “I really don’t know what it’s going to be like without them. I don’t know what’s it going to be like to be in a race without a team but I think I’ll be more focused this time because we won’t have time to mess around.”

Laverty will not totally be alone. Americas senior Michael Mier qualified to his first state meet.

Laverty and Mier are two of 12 El Paso athletes who qualified for state as individuals – runners who finished in the top 10 at Regionals who are not part of a qualifying team.

Also qualifying are in Class 6A are junior Israel David, Eastlake; junior Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood and sophomore Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood.

In Class 5A its junior Pamela Ramirez, Burges; junior Monique Correa, Jefferson; senior Josep Ferret, El Paso High; sophomore Alejandro Tarin, Hanks and senior Joaquin Ortega, Chapin.

In Class 4A, it will be Riverside junior, Andrew Valdiviezo and in Class 3A, Tornillo’s sophomore Kylene Elias.

Riverside junior Andrew Valdiviezo will race in the Class 4A divison at the UIL State Cross Country Championship on Tuesday.

“Right when I got on the bus after regionals I was locked in, already thinking about state,” said Valdiviezo, who will be racing in his first state championship. “I want to make sure that I compete to the best of my ability and make a name for myself at the state level.”

Laverty will be racing with added motivation.

He will be running in memory of his grandfather Fred Martinez, who passed away late in the season.

“He was always there for me,” he said. “It didn’t matter where I went, he would be there. I would race in Alabama and he was there. I could run in England and he would show up to watch me race.”

“Grandpa Fred” was one of Laverty’s biggest supporters.

“A couple of hours after he passed my dad told me,” he said. “My parents (Kim and Dale Laverty) told me if I didn’t want to run the next meet, that would be fine, they understood but my dad told me if he ever passed that he would want me to run in the next race and give it all I have. He told me he didn’t want me to stop racing and stop doing what I love. He said he was still going to be there for me, even though I might see him physically, he would still be there watching over me.”

Laverty said he continued with the season with a heavy heart, but he felt stronger as championship season approached.

“I kept him in thought as I continued training and racing,” he said. “I was doing it for him because I knew he wanted to see me go to state and do all these great things this season.”

Laverty finished 25^th at last year’s championship in 15:21.72.

Montwood sophomore Kassandra Jimenez will be racing in her first UIL State Cross Country Championship. She won the TCAL state championship last year as a student at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

Montwood’s Jimenez is also no stranger to a Texas state cross country championship.

She ran one last year and won a Texas Christian Athletic League state championship while running for the Young Women’s Leadership Academy.

On Tuesday, she will be competing on a much bigger stage – the Class 6A UIL State Cross Country Championship in Round Rock.

“My times have improved a lot this year because the coaches at Montwood are great and they work really hard to help us out as a team,” Jimenez said. “I’ve also worked very hard with the girls on the team who pushed me when I needed it.”

Despite moving up in competition, Jimenez said she is optimistic about Tuesday’s race.

“I know there’s going to be a lot of competition so I’m hoping to PR and stay up with the girl’s from El Paso,” she said. “This season has been great for me and my teammates at Montwood. I had a great team to train and run with this season and for that I am grateful.”

Jefferson junior Monique Correa will race in her first UIL State Championship on Monday.

Also returning to state are Eastlake’s David who finished seventh in 15:05.63 to earn All State Class 5A honors, Eastwood’s Walls-Portillo had a top 50 finish in Class 5A (19:01.29, 46^th place) and Tarin, who ran a 16:23.43 for Hanks in Class 5A.

Tornillo’s Elias won the school’s first girl’s state medal last year, finishing third in 11:37.79 on the two-mile course.

She said she is better prepared for it this year.

“I know how to race now,” she said. “Last year I was super, super nervous and I didn’t know any better and I got trapped behind a few runners. I had to use all my strength and I lost all my energy in the first mile. This year I have a better race strategy and I’m going to race smarter.”

Family and friends keep coronacoaster ride manageable as Franklin heads to state

State Championship Previews

Today: Tornillo boys.

Thursday: San Elizario boys.

Friday: Eastwood boys.

Saturday: Franklin girls.

Make Plans

What: UIL State Cross Country Championship.

Where: Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

At Stake: State team and individual titles.

The Franklin Cougars are headed to its second straight Class 6A UIL State Cross Country Championship.

As the world continues to deal with COVID-19, cross country athletes across the state have been on a three-month ride on the coronacoaster, never really knowing if the season would be completed or not.

In El Paso, it was even worse. The season was put in jeopardy a week before districts when the El Paso, Socorro and Canutillo school districts suspended athletics for two weeks because of the uptick in COVID-19 cases in El Paso.

It wasn’t until less than 24 hours before the scheduled district championships were to take place when a decision was made to allow them to race. The meet was pushed back one day to give the athletes time to prepare.

“We didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Alyssa Laspada, a sophomore at Franklin. “We were on Facetime all day that day. We didn’t know what to do. One minute we thought we would be racing and start to mentally prepare for it and then the next minute we weren’t. I’m glad we did, but either way, we would have made the most of it.”

The Franklin Cougars are headed to its second straight Class 6A UIL State Cross Country Championship.

The team – senior Eva Jess and Ally Little, juniors Jenna Saunders and Jordan Torres, and sophomores Laspada, Michele Paillard and Sofia Camacho – will race at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Jess finished second at last year’s championship in 17:12.18. The team finished 15th.

Franklin sophomore Alyssa Laspada is looking for better things at Tuesday’s Class 6A State Championship.

If the 2020 cross country season has taught us anything, it’s that we all need our friends.

“Our girls are very close, they are constantly with each other,” said Anthony Laspada, Franklin’s cross country coach. “Ally, Alyssa, Jenna and Jordan have made the season really fun for the entire group – they’re all into Tiktok and dancing around. They’ve made everyone on the team relax this season and that played out to be a huge advantage for us.”

Coach Laspada said the team bonding and the genuine love for one another translated into a successful season.

“They are very kind and loving with one another and they want do well for each other,” he said. “They are very close friends who care about about each other and are willing to sacrifice for one another.”

Laspada describes his team as kind and caring.

“These are ladies who would never wish the worst on anybody,” he said. “For example, at regionals they saw Kyra Walker from Coronado warming up by herself and my girls went over there and asked her to warm up with them. We all wanted her to do well. We are all an El Paso family.”

The Cougars have great class balance which bodes well for the future.

“Eva and Ally are our seniors and Ally just came in but she fit in perfectly with the other girls, just like a glove,” Laspada. “Jenna and Jordan are juniors, but they have been around and so has Alyssa.”

Laspada and Saunders have been friends since fourth grade and have since formed strong bonds with all the girls.

“It’s crazy that Ally, Alyssa, Jenna and Jordan are always together,” coach Laspada said. “If they do anything, it’s together.”

One of their favorite things to do is watching The Bachelorette or The Bachelor on Tuesday nights or Franklin football games on Friday night.

“We’ve been doing that since last year,” Alyssa Laspada said. “We call it Bachelor Night. We also have a lot of sleepovers, too.”

Franklin junior Jenna Saunders has been solid all year for the Cougars.

Saunders said that closeness is reflected in the way the team runs together.

“All the girls get along so well,” she said. “I don’t think we would be the same team if we weren’t this close. We run for each other. We love each other so much and we want what’s best for each other.”

Even in the bad times, Saunders said it’s almost best to have great friends to lift spirits up.

“We all have had bad races so we all understand that feeling,” she said. “We just need to make sure we all know that things happen and we’re there to support each other and to let them know it’s OK and it will be better next time.”

The 2020 season, although difficult, has been a rewarding one for Franklin.

“We didn’t know if we were going to have a season at all,” Saunders said. “One thing coach always tells us is, ‘run as if this were your last race’ because you really never know. To be able to run the whole season and to make it all the way to state is such a blessing.”

Franklin will try to make the most of their opportunity next Tuesday.

“We want to do really well and we’re going to try our best, that’s for sure,” Saunders said. “We are so lucky that we all stayed healthy, this is really exciting.”

High School Girls XC Poll: Week 9

Every Wednesday, El Paso Running will utilize a point system to highlight El Paso’s top cross country female runners.

The system is as follows: In a race of less than 150 runners, first place gets 10 points, second gets 9 points all the way down to and 10th place which gets 1 point. For meets with between 151 to 300 runners, double points will be rewarded meaning 20 points for first, 19 for second all the way down to 1 point for 20th. For every additional 150 runners, another 10 runners will be included in the points.

For those who like raw times, we also list the Top 25 5K/3-mile boys and girls race times and the meets and dates that they occurred.

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

What’s next?

UIL Cross Country State Championship (all times MDT): At Old Settlers Park in Round Rock. Monday, Nov. 23, Class 3A girls, 10:45 a.m.; Class 3A boys, 11:30 a.m.; Class 5A girls, 1:30 p.m.; Class 5A boys, 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, Class 4A boys, 11:30 a.m.; Class 6A girls, 1:30 p.m.; Class 6A boys, 2:15 p.m.

Top 10

1. Franklin: Franklin finished third in Region 1-6A scoring 71 points and advanced to its second consecutive state championship. The Cougars had two runners – seniors Eva Jess (fourth, 18:39.00) and Ally Little (fifth, 18:48.70) – in the top 10 and another in the top 20 – junior Jenna Saunders (16th, 19:53.50). The team’s average was 19:36.90.

2. Montwood: The Rams finished seventh in Region 1-6A with 192. Sophomore Kassandra Jimenez finished 19^th in 19:58.60 and advanced to the state championship. Montwood’s average time was 20:48.20.

3. Eastwood: The Troopers finished its team season with a third-place finish at the District 6A championship. However, juniors Lauren Portillo-Walls and Adalia Olmos advanced to the Class 6A race at the Region 1 Cross Country Championship where Portillo-Walls placed sixth in 19:00.10 and qualified for state.

4. Jefferson: The Foxes move up one spot after finishing in sixth place at the Region 1-5A championship. Junior Monique Correa finished 27^th in 21:32.40, earning a trip to state. Jefferson’s team average was 22:41.90.

5. Bel Air: The Highlanders moved down a spot after finishing 11^th in the Region 1-5A championship. Junior Abigail Murillo crossed the finish first for Bel Air in 34^th place (21:57.30). The team’s average time was 23:21.60.

6. El Paso High: El Paso was 12^th at the Region 1-5A championship. Its top runner was sophomore Shayla Cohen Jones who placed 41st in 22:32.70. The team average was 24:21.00.

7. Coronado: The T-Birds finished its season in fourth place at the District 1-6A championship. Sophomore Krya Walker advanced to the Class 6A regional where she finished 71^st in 21:27.20.

8. Canutillo. The Eagles qualified to Regionals as a team but only sent three runners. Its top runner at the Region 1-5A Championship was senior Chondra Espino who was 86^th in 24:22.20.

9. Tornillo. Tornillo ended the team portion of the season with a 9^th place finish in the Region 1-3A division. Sophomore Kylene Elias did advance to state after finishing fourth on the two-mile course in 13:01.40.

10. Hanks. Hanks finished its season third in District 2-5A.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: None.

Coronado sophomore Kyra Walker ended her season with the city’s 15th fastest 3-mile time, racing to a 20:06.1 at Vista Hills County Club.

Top times (5K/3Mile)

1, Lauren Portillo-Walls, Eastwood, 18:04.35 (Vista Hills CC, 10/10).

2, Eva Jess, Franklin, 18:11.3 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

3, Ally Little, Franklin, 18:39.33 (Haskins Center, 10/3).

4, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 19:03.19 (Vista Hills CC, 10/10).

5, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 19:12.42 (Veterans Park, 9/26).

6, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 19:33.8 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

7, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:43.31 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

8, Karyme Garcia, Montwood, 19:47.7 (Vista Hills C.C., 10/31).

9, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 19:48.5 (Vista Hills C.C., 10/31).

9, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:48.5 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

11, Sofia Camacho, Franklin 19:55.96 (Vista Hills CC, 10/10).

12, Jordan Torres, Franklin 19:56.30 (Haskins Rec. Center, 10/3).

13, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 19:57.4 (Vista Hills CC 10/31).

14, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:58.1 (Vista Hills CC, 10/17).

15, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 20:06.1 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

16, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 20:07.0 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

17, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 20:15.2 (Vista Hills CC, 10/17).

18, Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 20:19.07 (Veterans Park, 10/3).

19, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 20:22.4 (Vista Hills CC 10/31).

20, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 20:23.25 (Veterans Park, 10/3).

21, Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 20:24.6. (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

22, Trinity Martinez, Eastwood, 20:25.4 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

23, Andrea Villagomez, Horizon, 20:26.27 (Veterans Park, 9/19).

24, Natalie Espinosa, Montwood, 20:29.2 (Vista Hills CC, 10/31).

25, Selma Licon, Eastwood 20:35.22 (Vista Hills CC, 10/10).

Montwood junior Alexa Rangel recording a top 10 city best 19:48.5 at the Vista Hills Country Club on Oct. 31.

Power rankings (number in parenthesis indicate meets won)

1, Eva Jess, Franklin, 76 (6).

2, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 70 (7).

3, Ally Little, Franklin, 66.

4, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 51 (4).

5, Andrea Villagomez, Horizon, 49 (2).

6, Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 47 (4).

7, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 44 (2).

7, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 44 (2).

9, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 42.

10, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 40.

10, Alissa Kennedy, El Paso, 40.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 39.

Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 37.

Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 37.

Chondra Espino, Canutillo, 35.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 33.

Mia Rivera, Hanks, 33.

Annette Guzman, Burges, 32.

Michele Paillard, Franklin, 31.

Janice Olivas, Clint, 28.

Megan Kirtley, Eastlake, 27.

Nat Escajeda, Tornillo, 25.

Karyme Garcia, Montwood, 24.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 24 (1).

Shayla Cohen Jones, El Paso High, 24.

Vivian Zapata, Clint, 23 (1).

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso High, 23 (1).

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 23.

Ivy Lara, Canutillo, 23.

Britney Martinez, Loretto, 22.

Sara Armendariz, Bel Air, 22 (1).

Samantha Ramirez, Socorro, 21.

Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 21.

Melody Tsutsumi, Jefferson, 21.

Kayhla Talavera, Mt. View, 20 (1).

Jelia Lugo, Jefferson, 20.

Isabella Medina, Americas, 19.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19.

Hannah Tellez, Eastwood, 19.

Morayma Montes, Austin, 17.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 17.

Andrea Castillo, El Paso, 16.

Sonya Lee, Coronado, 16.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 15.

Valeria Loo-King, Del Valle, 14.

Amaryllis Rubalcaba, Eastwood, 14.

Madelaine Estrada, Mt. View, 14.

Rosemary Torres, Bel Air, 14.

Jordan Torres, Franklin, 13.

Jacqueline Castillo, Clint, 13.

Carolina Pitchkolan, Coronado, 12.

Gracyn Hunt, Coronado, 12.

Alexis Vasquez, Eastwood, 12.

Vanessa Preciado, Canutillo, 10.

Daniela Peinado, Coronado, 10.

Ximena Jimenez, San Elizario, 10.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 9.

Mia Vargas, Americas, 9.

Maria Hobbs, Loretto, 9.

Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 9.

Natalie Espinosa, Montwood, 9.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 8.

Trinity Martinez, Eastwood, 8.

Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 8.

Irma Munoz, Jefferson, 8.

Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 8.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 8.

Aylin Tepezano, Clint, 7.

Desiree Carrillo, Eastwood, 7.

Jaquelin Gonzalez, Horizon, 7.

Madison Spencer, Hanks, 7.

Amber Martin, Eastwood, 6

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 6.

Emilee Antimo, Burges, 6.

Monica Hagerich, Eastwood, 6.

Luisa Ramirez, Coronado, 6.

Jaslyne Ramirez, Del Valle, 6.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 6.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 5.

Selma Licon, Eastwood, 5.

Wendy Garcia, Tornillo, 5.

Vivian Shaheen, El Paso High, 5.

Mariah Martinez, Loretto, 5.

Marcela Hernandez, Riverside, 5.

Itzel Garcia, Americas, 4.

Caryn Hart, Andress, 4.

Briana Canales, Eastlake, 4.

Eva Asfahani, Coronado, 4.

Paola Bolanos Hernandez, Parkland, 4.

Emma White, El Paso High, 4.

Anel Aranda, Riverside, 4.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 4.

Sarah Villaronga, Franklin, 3.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 3.

Claudia Vargas, Parkland, 3.

Brianna Ibarra, Tornillo, 3.

Jasmine Martinez, Eastwood, 2.

Jade Baca, Hanks, 2.

Amanda Sotelo, Franklin, 2.

Amanda Torres, Loretto, 2.

Sarah Gil, Eastwood, 2.

Athena Escobar, Fabens, 2.

Bianca Quintero, Chapin, 2.

Yanitza Olivares, Socorro, 1.

Genisis Guereca, Bel Air, 1.

Lauren Anderson, Americas, 1.

Yulianna Anahi Martinez, Parkland, 1.

Christina Duncan, Coronado, 1.

Andrea Baeza, Loretto, 1.

Elliane Marshall, Eastwood, 1.

Camila Luna, Riverside, 1.

Iris Baca, Horizon, 1.

San Elizario defends Class 4A Crown; three teams and six individuals advance from 4A and 6A

What’s Next

What: UIL Cross Country State Championship.

When: Monday, Nov. 23 (3A, 5A) and Tuesday, Nov. 24 (4A and 6A) at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Who advanced?

Boys

Class 6A: Eastwood. Also, Israel David, Eastlake; Jared Laverty and Michael Mier, Americas.

Class 5A: Josep Ferret, El Paso High; Alejandro Tarin, Hanks; Joaquin Ortega, Chapin.

Class 4A: San Elizario and Andrew Valdiviezo, Riverside.

Class 3A: Tornillo.

Girls

Class 6A: Franklin. Also, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood and Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood.

Class 5A: Pamela Ramirez, Burges and Monique Correa, Jefferson.

Class 3A: Kylene Elias, Tornillo.

San Elizario defended its Region 1-4A team title and are off to state!

Day two of the Region 1 Cross Country Championship at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock brought success to three teams and six individuals.

The teams – the San Elizario boys in Class 4A, the Eastwood boys in Class 6A and the Franklin girls in Class 6A – all earned return trips to the state meet.

Six individual runners – Riverside junior Andrew Valdiviezo, Eastlake junior Israel David Eastlake, a pair of Americas runners (junior Jared Laverty and senior Michael Mier), Eastwood junior Lauren Walls-Portillo and Montwood junior Kassandra Jimenez – also punched their tickets to Round Rock.

The top three teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the UIL Cross Country State Championship, Nov. 23 and Nov. 24 at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

“This was a big day not just for our program but for everyone in our county, our region and our state who had the opportunity to run,” said San Elizario coach Cesar Morales. “Everyone had obstacles this season with virtual training, the threats of canceling the season and keeping all the athletes safe. It’s a great accomplishment even to get this far in the season. We are so grateful that we are able to compete.”

San Elizario won the Region 1-4A team title and the individual crown as senior Edwin Gomez took regional honors. Eastwood was runner up, by three points and the Franklin girls placed third in Class 6A.

San Elizario defended its Region 1-4A championship by placing two runners in the top 10 and three in the top 13 including Gomez regaining his individual crown out distancing 2019’s region champ Canyon’s Samuel Ashley.

Gomez finished the 3-mile course in 15:56.50 followed by Ashley (16:06.60), Perryton’s Adrian Ceniceros (16:28.30).

San Elizario scored 68 points followed by Perryton (73), and Andrews (114). Riverside finished seventh with 183 points.

Riverside’s Valdiviezo, who was fourth in 16:47.00, said reaching state is something he has been looking forward to.

“I felt really relieved once I crossed the finish line,” he said. “I felt like all my hard work had paid off.”

Valdiviezo said he was so nervous before the race he couldn’t eat breakfast.

“I used the nerves more to my advantage and I didn’t let them bring me down,” he said. “I knew what I had to do, I knew where I needed to be placement wise and who I should be keeping up with in order to qualify.”

San Elizario’s scoring runners were Gomez, senior Dilan Sanchez, (sixth, 17:00.60), sophomore Christopher Moreno, (13^th, 17:17.10), junior Irvin Vazquez, (22^nd, 17:36.20) and junior Alan Ceballos (31^st, 17:50.60).

The Eagles have now won six of the past seven regional titles – its only blemish was a third-place finish in 2018.

“Winning six out of seven is very special,” Morales said. “But this is only part of the process. When we talk to the kids at the beginning of the season, we tell them this is just one of the steps we need to take before getting to state.”

Class 6A

Eastwood’s boys finished three points away from its third straight Region 1 championship.

The Troopers won Class 5A regionals the past two seasons before leaping back to 6A this year.

Southlake Carroll won the Region of Doom with a low score of 61 points, followed by Eastwood (64) and Coppell (101). Americas was in the heartbreak fourth position with 109 points.

In non-pandemic years, Americas would have qualified for its third straight state championship meet.

Laverty was the low-point man for Americas finishing 14^th in 16:24.70 followed by Mier (16^th, 16:29.90). Both will return to state.

Also returning to the state meet is Eastlake’s David who was sixth in 16:10.60.

The Troopers had three runners in the top 10 – seniors Sergio Cuartas (fourth, 16:03.80), Aaron Perez (seventh, 16:03.80) and Nathan Hernandez (ninth, 16:17.50).

Eastwood’s two other scoring runners where senior Victor Parra (20^th, 16:33.90) and junior Nick Parra (46^th, 17:12.40).

Franklin’s girls finished third in Region 1-6A scoring 71 points.

The Cougars had two runners – seniors Eva Jess (fourth, 18:39.00) and Ally Little (fifth, 18:48.70) – in the top 10 and another in the top 20 – junior Jenna Saunders (16^th, 19:53.50).

Sophomores Alyssa Laspada was 32^nd in 20:21.50 and Michele Paillard was 33^rd in 20:21.70.

Lewisville Flower Mound won the event with 44 points followed by Southlake Carroll with 52.

Walls-Portillo was sixth for Eastwood (19:00.10) and Montwood’s Jimenez was 19^th in 19:58.60.

Franklin finished third in Region 1-6A and are returning to the state meet.

Day 1

On Monday, Tornillo’s boys finished third and sophomore Kylene Elias finished fourth in Class 3A, and five individuals from Class 5A advanced to the state meet.

Burges junior Pamela Ramirez, Jefferson junior Monique Correa, El Paso High senior Josep Ferret, Hanks sophomore Alejandro Tarin and Chapin senior Joaquin Ortega will also race on Day 1 of the State Championship on Monday, Nov. 23.

The advancing teams and individuals out of 4A and 6A will compete on Day 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 24.

No teams and runners from the girl’s Class 4A level qualified to state.

For complete results: from Day 1 – https://mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=13116

For completes from Day 2 – https://mychiptime.com/searchevent.php?id=13117

Tornillo boys and six individuals advance to state from Class 3A and 5A

The Tornillo boys escaped Region 1 with a third-place finish and a trip to the UIL State Cross Country Championship on Monday at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock.

The Coyotes placed two runners in the top 10 – freshman Daniel Romero (fourth, 17:35.90) and sophomore Angel Torres (seventh, 17:42.70).

Scoring for Tornillo where seniors Bryan Garcia (21st, 18:33.00) and Michael Maney (32nd, 19:07.00) and junior Bryan Guzman (60th, 19:58.70).

Tornillo finished with 88 points.

District rival Presidio won the region with 39 points and Tuscola Jim Ned was second with 84 points.

“We were kind of flat in district and then my four guy (Guzman) got hurt during quarantine and finished fifth, but I knew in my gut that we would face another obstacle at regionals,” said Tornillo coach Jesse Garcia. “But considering all the things we had to get through just to get here, I’m just happy we survived.”

Top three teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the UIL Cross Country State Championship, Monday, Nov. 23 (3A, 5A) and Tuesday, Nov. 24 (4A and 6A) at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock

Tornillo was on the verge of shutting it down four weeks ago due to the pandemic.

“Our goal was to just qualify,” he said. “It was a little scary, but we came from behind and pulled through and managed to get third place.”

Tornillo will making its 11th state appearance in the past 12 years.

Also advancing to state is sophomore Kylene Elias who finished fourth on the two-mile course in 13:01.40.

“She said she didn’t feel good today; she just felt off,” Garcia said of the defending Region 1 champion. “She took fourth place and qualified and that’s what matters.”

Holliday junior Hannah Spears won the event in 12:29.10.

The Tornillo girls ended the season ninth best in Region 1.

On Monday, Class 3A and Class 5A raced. Tomorrow, the Class 4A girls will start at 10 a.m. followed by the boys and the Class 6A girl will race at 1 p.m. followed by the boys.

Class 5A

Five runners -three boys and two girls – out of Class 5A also advanced to theUIL Cross Country State Championship.

Burges junior Pamela Ramirez was 23^rd in 21:22.10 and Jefferson junior Monique Correa was 27^th in 21:32.40 and advanced, as well as El Paso High senior Josep Ferret (15^th, 17:22.50), Hanks sophomore Alejandro Tarin (16^th, 17:23.30) and Chapin senior Joaquin Ortega (17^th, 17:24.30).

No teams advanced.

The Jefferson girls were the top finishing El Paso team, placing sixth with 218 points followed by Bel Air (11^th, 262) and El Paso High (12^th, 314).

For the boys, Burges was the top El Paso team finishing seventh (223 points), Hanks (11^th, 265), Bel Air (14^th, 336) and El Paso High (15^th, 378).

Hanks sophomore Alejandro Tarin finished 16th at the Region 1-5A meet in 17:23.30 and advanced to State.

Girls Region 1 Preview: Advancing to state has been a tall task for El Paso teams

What: Region 1 Cross Country Championship.

When: Monday, Nov. 9, Times (MST): 3A Girls, 10 a.m. 3A Boys, 10:30 a.m.; Class 5A Girls, 1 p.m.; Class 5A Boys, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10: Class 4A Girls, 10 a.m.; Class 4A boys, 10:30 a.m.; Class 6A Girls, 1 p.m.; Class 6A Boys, 1:30 p.m.

Where: Mae Simmons Park, MLK Blvd. and 24th Street in Lubbock.

At Stake: Top three teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team advance to the UIL Cross Country State Championship, Monday, Nov. 23 (3A, 5A) and Tuesday, Nov. 24 (4A and 6A) at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Who advanced?

The following teams and runners have advanced:

Class 6A: Franklin and Montwood. Also, Lauren Walls-Portillo and Adalia Olmos, Eastwood and Kyra Walker, Coronado.

Class 5A: Jefferson, Bel Air, Canutillo, El Paso High. Also, Angie Marrufo-Lujan, Parkland, Pamela Ramirez, Burges; Annette Guzman, Burges; Morayma Montes, Austin; Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin; Andrea Villagomez, Horizon and Mia Rivera, Hanks.

Class 4A: Clint and San Elizario. Also, Kayhla Talavera, Mt. View; Madelaine Estrada, Mt. View; Anel Aranda, Riverside; Marcela Hernandez, Riverside; Athena Escobar, Fabens.

Class 3A: Tornillo.

Hundreds of runners from across Region 1 will converge on Lubbock on Monday and Tuesday for regionals.

Regionals has not been friendly to girl’s teams from El Paso.

In the past few years only teams from Franklin and Eastwood have advanced to state.

And because of the pandemic, only the top three teams and top 10 individuals not on a qualifying team will advance to the state championship at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

Last fall, only Franklin’s girls advanced to state as a team in Class 6A and Eastwood accomplished that feat in 2018 in Class 5A.

Here is what’s in store for this year’s regional girl’s races:

Franklin and Montwood will race for an opportunity to advance to state as well as three individual runners from District 1-6A.

Class 6A

Franklin is looking to improve on its fourth place, state-qualifying performance of last year.

The Cougars ran 1-34-37-39 and 43 and eked out the last spot to state on the strength of its sixth runner – Amanda Sotelo – who finished ahead of the sixth runner from Lewisville Marcus to break the tie for fourth place.

Franklin senior Eva Jess won the individual title in 16:56.80.

“Advancing to regionals as a team is a special experience,” she said. “We all get to have a great time and support each other, it’s just a great experience.”

Jess said she hopes the team can advance to its second straight state championship meet.

“We are working so hard,” she said. “We believe that we can do it. We all have to run great races and we can do it. We can show everyone in the region how we run in El Paso. We’re ready, we just have to stay strong and keep up the training. Hopefully, we get to go. We never know when it will be our last meet so we always take the opportunity.”

Montwood, the District 2-5A runner up, is also looking to advance as a team.

Last year, senior Karyme Garcia advanced to state individually after finishing 15^th (18:16.20) at regionals.

Also advancing are Eastwood juniors Lauren Walls-Portillo and Adalia Olmos and Coronado sophomore Kyra Walker.

Walls-Portillo was tenth at last year’s Class 5A regional, completing the course in 18:26.60, and advanced to state. Walker advanced to state after placing 22^nd in 18:33.80.

Class 5A

It will be a tall task for an El Paso team to emerge from Class 5A so the focus should be on the individual times.

It’s not say Jefferson, Bel Air, Canutillo or El Paso High will not give it their all, it’s just that when you compare the depth of the teams with others in Region 1 such as Grapevine, Canyon Randall and Colleyville Heritage.

Jefferson junior Crystal Peterson is seeking her third trip to state after finishing seventh (18:17.70) at regionals last year.

“We really want to make it as a team,” said Peterson, who had the top finish for an El Paso runner in 5A at last year’s regionals. “It would mean a lot to go as a team and to get that regional experience.”

She said a number of Class 5A runners have the potential to advance to state.

“I really want to push myself to be able to get to state again and finish in the top 25,” she said.

Jefferson senior Melody Tsutsumi also qualified for state last year – finishing 23rd at regionals (19:07.60).

“I just squeezed in there,” she said.

Parkland senior Angie Marrufo-Lujan said she hopes to improve on her 19:57.30 (53^rd place) time from last year.

“It has always been my dream to go to state for cross country,” Marrufo-Lujan said. “Every year, regionals kicks me in my butt, but I’m going to plan it out smarter, I’m going to be better prepared. Going to state would be a dream come true, especially my senior year. Fingers crossed that it happens.”

Other individual runners looking to advance are Pamela Ramirez and Annette Guzman from Burges, Morayma Montes and Elizabeth Hernandez from Austin, Andrea Villagomez from Horizon and Mia Rivera from Hanks.

Despite what happens at regionals, Bel Air coach Jerry Schaffer is proud of his girl’s efforts.

Bel Air’s Abigail Murillo finished third at the District 2-5A race in 20:43.9.

“The girls came out in the summer and worked hard,” Schaffer said. “The two seniors (Sara Armendariz and Rosemary Torres) have been together for four years. Abby (Abigail Murillo) came up a year behind them and they just love each other and they play off each other.”

It is believed to be Bel Air’s first district championship since 1982 and its first trip to regionals, as a team, since the 1997 or 1998.

Class 4A

Class 4A teams have not had much success at regionals.

San Elizario was 10^th and Clint was 17th at last year’s regional. Both schools will represent the district at this year’s regionals.

District 1-4A champion senior Kayhla Talavera was fourth last year, completing the 2-mile course in 12:05.50 and advanced to state.

“I’m excited to run regionals again,” she said. “I think I can make it to state, but I’m going to say that I’m going to make it for sure. I’m going to shoot for the top 10, but if not, it’s OK, it’s been a good season, I got to run when I didn’t think we were going to have a season.”

Other runners looking to advance are Mt. View’s Madelaine Estrada, Anel Aranda and Marcela Hernandez from Riverside and Athena Escobar from Fabens.

Burges junior Annette Guzman finished 5th in the District 1-5A Championship.

Class 3A

Sophomore Kylene Elias was the first ever female runner from Tornillo to win the Region 1 Championship, racing the two-mile course in 11:57.60.

If you recall, she raced the majority of the race with only one shoe.

“I didn’t feel anything, not even the rocks, because it was so cold,” she said. “I felt my sock rip but it didn’t really rip, it was just so cold.”

She defended her District 4-3A crown last week and is looking to do the same at regionals.

“It was a hard race,” she said. “Hannah Spears (from Holliday) right behind me and she could have beaten me in the kick. It was a photo finish.”

Both girls ran an 11:57.60.

Elias went on to finish third at the State Championship.

“My team has trained hard and we’ve been doing pretty well,” she said. “I keep on motivating them so we can go to state this year as a team. I’m eager to go to regionals and hopefully to state.”