Category: Girl’s Top 10

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 9

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

Region 1 Cross Country Meet: Monday, Oct. 25 at Mae Simmons Park in Lubbock. Girl’s start times (Mountain Time): 4A, 8 a.m.; 5A, 9 a.m.; 6A, 10 a.m.; 3A, 1 p.m. Boy’s start times: 4A, 8:30 a.m.; 5A 9:30 a.m.; 6A 10:30 a.m. 3A, 1:30 p.m.

The Franklin girls team is back on top of the El Paso Running Top 10 after winning its fourth straight District 1-6A championship.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars are back on top. For the fourth consecutive year, Franklin won the District 1-6A championship scoring 35 points. Franklin placed three runners in the top 10 – junior Alyssa Laspada (third, 20:19.80), senior Jordan Torres (fourth, 20:47.72) and junior Sofia Camacho (sixth, 21:03.75). Franklin’s average time was 21:11.45. Franklin will compete at the Region 1-6A Championship in Lubbock on Monday with an opportunity to advance to its third straight state meet.

2. Eastwood: Eastwood drops out of the No. 1 spot after falling 10 points short of Franklin in District 1-6A despite having a better team average (21:09.61). The Troopers did manage to take individual gold and silver with senior Lauren Walls-Portillo winning her first district title in 19:22.89 and freshman Adelynn Rodriguez finishing second in 19:38.28. Eastwood will race for an opportunity to race at state on Monday at the Regional Championship in Lubbock.

3. Montwood: Only four Rams finished the District 1-6A race and therefore were not eligible to advance as a team to regionals. Junior Kassandra Jimenez was fifth in 20:58.94 and senior Alexa Rangel was seventh in 21:04.05. Both will advance to the Region 1-6A Championship in Lubbock on Monday. The four runner’s scoring average was 22:11.88.

4. Jefferson: The Foxes move up two spots after securing its fourth District 1-5A championship with 26 points. The team placed four runners in the top six positions – Crystal Peterson (second, 21:30.21), Monique Correa (third, 21:58.13), Camila Prieto, (fourth, 22:18.22) and Sofia Hernandez (sixth, 22:52.86). The team average was 22:36.50. Jefferson will travel to Lubbock for Monday’s Region 1-5A Championship.

5. Coronado: The T-Birds move up one spot after finishing third in the District 1-6A championship with 83 points. Its top runners were sophomore Alexa Lawrence (12th, 21:38.24) and junior Kyra Walker (14th, 21:54.47). Coronado’s team average was 22:38.48. Coronado will prepare for the Region 1-6A championship in Lubbock on Monday.

6. Pebble Hills: The Spartans drop two spots after placing fourth at the District 1-6A meet – the school’s best district finish. The team scored 104 points with an average of 23:01.50. Junior Natalia Martinez advanced to the Region 1-6A championship by placing 10th in 21:17.30.

7. Del Valle: The Conquistadores seemed to have peaked at the right time, winning the District 2-5A championship for the first time since 2010. Del Valle, which moved up three spots, placed three runners in the top six – junior Valeria Loo-Kung (second, 21:57.39), senior Anisa Sanchez (third, 22:13.11) and senior Disany Sandoval (sixth, 22:22.26) – to score 44 points. The team’s average time was 23:15.03. The team is preparing for the Region 1-5A championship on Monday in Lubbock.

8. Americas: The Trailblazers move up one after placing fifth in District 1-6A. The team’s average time was 23:22.86.  Freshman Lexee Salas waseighth in 21:16.62 and will advance to the Region 1-6A championship in Lubbock.

9. Canutillo: The Eagles drop two after placing second in the District 2-5A race with 51 points. Canutillo’s team average was 23:26.37. The Eagles top four finished 8-11 (in order of finish) – junior Dania Cano (22:54.81), junior Natalie Rivera (23:23.01), senior Ivy Lara (23:27.78) and senior Vanessa Preciado (23:30.61).

10. Burges: The Mustangs finished second in District 1-5A with 45 points to earn a trip to the Region 1-5A Championship in Lubbock on Monday. Senior Pamela Ramirez won the district championship in 20:47.09. Three of her teamamtes finishd 10-12 (in order) – senior Amy Lozano (23:47.37), sophomore Aritzel Garcia (23:53.40) and freshman Keilah Valenzuela Garcia (24:06.94). The team average was 23:30.71.

Dropped out: Hanks.

On the brink: El Paso High, Hanks.

The San Elizario girls won the District 1-4A team championship.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:17.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

2, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 17:20.1 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:28.29 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11)

4, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

5, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:52.86 (Clint, 10/2).

6, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:07.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

8, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

9, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:10.4 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

10, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 19:11.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

11, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:22.86 (SAC, 10/2).

12, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:25.63 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

13, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:38.94 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

14, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

15, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:51.64 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

16, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

17, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:57.39 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

18, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 19:57.84 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

19, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19:58.38 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

20, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

21, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 20:02.02 (SAC, 10/2).   

22, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

23, Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 20:03.35 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

24, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:04.76 (Clint, 10/2).

25, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 20:06.17 (SAC, 10/2). 

  

Mt. View junior Madelaine Estrada finished third in the District 1-4A girls championship, finishing the two-mile course in 14:04.29. She advances to the Class 1-4A Regional Championship in Lubbock.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 62 (2).

2, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 54 (3).

3, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 52 (2).

4, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 50 (2).

5, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 49 (2).

6, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 47.

7, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 46 (2).

8, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 45 (1).

9, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 42.

10, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 41.

10, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 41 (1).

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 39.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 39.

Samantha Ramirez, San Elizario, 33 (2).

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 31.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 29.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 27.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 20.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 20.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 18 (1).

Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 17.

Madelyn Estrada, Mt. View, 17.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 16.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 16.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 15.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 15.
Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 14.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 13.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 11.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso High, 11.

Brooke McCune, Franklin, 10 (1).

Lexee Salas, Americas, 10.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 10.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 10.

Olivia Elder, Franklin, 9.

Lauren Perez, Riverside, 9.

Jeanette Rivera, YWLA, 8.

Wendy Garcia, Tornillo, 7.

Camila Prieto, Jefferson, 7.

Sarah Lopez Touchy, Ysleta, 7.

Marcela Hernandez, Riverside, 6.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 6.

Tessa Gibbons, Franklin, 6.

Brianna Ibarra, Tornillo, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 5.

Mariah Martinez, Loretto, 5.

Sofia Hernandez, Jefferson, 5.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 5.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 5.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 4.

Natalia Valdez, Chapin, 4.

Nataly Escajeda, Tornillo, 4.

Daniela Luna, Riverside, 4.

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso High 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 3.

Mireyda Samer, Franklin, 3.

Alicia Chavez, YWLA, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Ileana Maldonado, Clint, 2.

Hannah Martinez, Franklin, 2.

Ivy Lara, Canutillo, 2.

Ximena Holguin, San Elizario, 1.

Grace Kimble, Franklin, 1.

Amy Lozano, Burges, 1.

Ashley Hernandez, San Elizario, 1.

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 8

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

EPISD Invitational: 8 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 9 at Don Haskins Recreation Center. Franklin, Irvin, Andress, Jefferson, Chapin, Montwood, El Dorado, Eastlake, Santa Teresa, Tornillo, Loretto, San Elizario, Harmony, Cathedral, Anthony, Canutillo.

With 10 days until the district championships, many of the top individual runners will not race this week. However, for some teams, Saturday’s race will determine the 5-7 runners who will compete at district.

Top 10

1. Eastwood: After two consecutive weeks of competitive out-of-town races, the Troopers did not run on Saturday. The team will prepare for the District 1-6A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

2. Franklin: The Cougars easily won the Dale Reinhardt Invitational with 17 points. Franklin runners took the top four spots led by junior Alyssa Laspada who picked up her second individual title in 18:58.39, followed by senior Jenna Saunders (19:22.86, a season best), senior Abby Barraza (19:44.17) and senior Jordan Torres (19:48.52). Sofia Camacho was seventh in 20:17.42. Franklin will race some of its varsity runners at the EPISD Invitationalat the Don Haskins Recreation Center on Saturday.

3. Montwood: The Rams did not run a full team at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday. Junior Kassandra Jimenez had the best El Paso time turning in a 17:33.6 in the “elite” division on the wet and muddy 2.8 mile course. The team will prepare for the District 1-6A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

 4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans finished seventh at Nike South in The Woodlands with 205 points. Pebble Hills had two runners finish in the “regular” varsity division – junior Natalia Martinez was 11th in 18:16,4 and junior Carolina Zarrabal was 17th in 18:29.1 (2.8 miles). Pebble Hills will prepare for the District 1-6A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

5. Coronado: The T-Birds finished second at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational with 62 points. Coronado had two runners – sophomore Alexa Lawrence (8th, 20:20.05) and junior Kyra Walker (9th, 20:22.74) – in the top 10. Coronado will prepare for the District 1-6A championship at Vista Hills Country Club on Oct. 16.

6. Jefferson: The Foxes had a third-place finish at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex on Saturday. Jefferson scored 69 points on the strength of Crystal Peterson (fifth, 20:02.02) and Monique Correa (sixth, 20:06.17) – both season-best times. Jefferson is scheduled to run the EPISD Invitationalat the Don Haskins Recreation Center on Saturday.

7. Canutillo: The Eagles won the Clint/Fabens Invitational with 25 points. Canutillo had four runners in the top 10 including winner Natalie Rivera who turned in a season best 18:52.86, Dania Cano (sixth, 20:52.13), Jennifer Najar (seventh, 20:57.58) and Ivy Lara (10th, 21:12.07). This was Rivera’s second individual win of the season. Canutillo is scheduled to run the EPISD Invitationalat the Don Haskins Recreation Center on Saturday.

8. Hanks: The did not race on Saturday. The team will prepare for the District 2-5A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

9. Americas: The Trailblazers finished 16th out of 30 teams in the “regular” varsity division at Nike South in The Woodland.  Freshman Lexee Salas was 35th out of 256 runners in 18:51.9. The team will now prepare for the District 1-6A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

10. Del Valle: The Conquistadores return to the top 10 after its second-place finish at the Clint/Fabens Invitational with 45 points. Valeria Loo-Kung was second in 20:04.76 and Anisa Sanchez was fifth in 20:47.71. The team is preparing for the District 2-5A championship Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

Dropped out: Eastlake.

On the brink: Burges, El Paso High.

Canutillo’s Natalie Rivera turned in a season best 18:52.86 at the Clint/Fabens Invitational – a top five time in El Paso.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:17.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

2, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 17:20.1 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:28.29 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11)

4, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

5, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 18:52.86 (Clint, 10/2).

6, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:07.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

8, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

9, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:10.4 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

10, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 19:11.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

11, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:22.86 (SAC, 10/2).

12, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:25.63 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

13, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:38.94 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

14, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

15, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:51.64 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

16, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

17, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:57.39 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

18, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 19:57.84 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

19, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19:58.38 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

20, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

21, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 20:02.02 (SAC, 10/2).   

22, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

23, Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 20:03.35 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

24, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:04.76 (Clint, 10/2).

25, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 20:06.17 (SAC, 10/2).   

Del Valle’s Valeria Loo-Kung was second at the Clint/Fabens Invitational in 20:04.76. She has the 24th fastest time in the city.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 54 (2).

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

3, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 44 (2).

4, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 43 (2).

5, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 42 (1).

5, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 42.

7, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 40 (1).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 40.

7, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 40 (1).

10, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 36 (1).

Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 32.

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 31.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 31.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 29.

Samantha Ramirez, San Elizario, 23 (1).

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 23.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 22.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 16.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 15.

Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 13.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 13.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 12.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 11.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 11.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 11.

Madelyn Estrada, Mt. View, 9.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 8.

Kylene Elias, Tornillo, 8.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso High, 8.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 7.

Marcela Hernandez, Riverside, 6.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 6.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 5.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 4.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 4.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Jeanette Rivera, YWLA, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Jezarae Valenzuela, El Paso, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Lauren Perez, Riverside, 2.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 1.

Ximena Holguin, San Elizario, 1.

Ivy Lara, Canutillo, 1.

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 7

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

Clint/Fabens Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at Clint High School.  Burges, El Paso, Austin, Bowie, El Dorado, Riverside, Del Valle, Parkland, YWLA, Clint, Fabens, Mt.View, Horizon, , Santa Teresa, Tornillo, Loretto, San Elizario, Canutillo , Harmony, Cathedral.

Las Cruces Invite: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at Las Cruces High. Irvin.

Dale Reinhardt Invite: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex.  Franklin, Coronado, Jefferson, Chapin, Socorro, Eastwood, Valle Verde, Ysleta, Hanks, Bel Air, Ft Hancock, Anthony.

Nike South: 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 2 at The Woodlands. Eastlake, Pebble Hills, Americas, Montwood.

There are three weeks left before districts! It’s going to be a fun one!

Top 10

1. Eastwood: The Troopers placed 14th in the “Sweepstakes” division at Desert Twilight, the Nike Pre-Southwest Regional meet in Queen Creek Arizona on Friday night. Eastwood had two runners in the top 25 – senior Lauren Walls-Portillo (16th, 17:47.10) and freshman Adelynn Rodriguez (22nd, 17:56.50 – in the 187-runner, 23-team race. The team is scheduled to compete at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex.

2. Franklin: The Cougars won the Rob Winter Classic in Las Cruces with 25 points. Franklin had all five scoring runners place in the top 8. Junior Alyssa Laspada was second in 18:33.46, senior Jenna Saunders third (19:25.00) senior Jordan Torres, was fifth in 19:40.37 and seniors Abby Barraza (seventh, 20:04.03) and Sofia Camacho (eighth, 20:17.35) round out the top five for Franklin. The team’s 1-5 split was 1:43. The Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex is next for the Cougars.

3. Montwood: The Rams finally put it all together and finished sixth in the 6A Division at the Lubbock Invitational with 149 points, moving them up two spots. Junior Kassandra Jimenez was the lone top 10 runner and top El Paso runner, placing sixth in 19:54.2. Senior Alexa Rangel (15th, 20:43.8) and junior Jazmine Miranda (16th, 20:47.1) had top 20 performances. Montwood will race at Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday.

4. Pebble Hills: The Spartans finished seventh in the 6A Division at the Lubbock Invitational with 150 points, one point behind Montwood. Junior Natalia Martinez was 11th in 20:31.3 to pace Pebble Hills. Sophomore Carolina Zarrabal was 22nd in 21:24.3. Pebble Hills will race at Nike South in The Woodlands.

5. Coronado: The T-Birds finished third at the Rob Winter Classic in Las Cruces with 80 points. Coronado had two runners – sophomore Alexa Lawrence (9th, 20:26.31) and junior Kyra Walker (10th, 20:29.29) – in the top 10. Coronado will race at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex on Saturday.

6. Jefferson: The Foxes did not race on Saturday as the DaVinci Invitational was cancelled.  The team will race at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex on Saturday.

7. Canutillo: The Eagles also did not race on Saturday because the DaVinci Invitational was cancelled.  The team will race at the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex on Saturday.

8. Eastlake: The Falcons did not race on Saturday because the DaVinci Invitational was cancelled. The team will travel to The Woodlands for Nike South.

9. Hanks: The Knights finished sixth in the Class 5A race at the Lubbock Invitational. Senior Mia Rivera was eighth in 20:14.5. Hanks will compete in the Dale Reinhardt Invitational at Socorro’s Student Activities Complex on Saturday.

10. Americas: The Trailblazers finished ninth in the Class 6A division of the Lubbock Invitational without its top runner – freshman Lexee Salas. Senior Isabelle Medina was 27th in 21:37.1. The team will race Nike South in The Woodlands on Saturday.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: Del Valle, Burges, El Paso High.

Alex Rangel (left) and Jazmine Miranda have been solid 2-3 runners for Montwood all season.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:17.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

2, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 17:20.1 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:28.29 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11)

4, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

5, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

6, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:07.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

7, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

8, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:10.4 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

9, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 19:11.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

10, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:25.00 (Las Cruces Organ, 9/25).

11, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:25.63 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

12, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:38.94 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

13, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

14, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 19:45.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

15, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:51.64 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

16, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

17, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:57.39 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

18, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 19:57.84 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

19, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19:58.38 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

20, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

21, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

22, Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 20:03.35 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

23, Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 20:11.1 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

24, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:16.4 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

25, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:16.96 (Del Valle, 8/28).

Socorro’s Ana Rojas and Pebble Hills’ Natalie Franco will be looking to help their teams at the District 1-6A championship on Oct. 16 at Vista Hills Country Club.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

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

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 44 (1).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 43 (2).

4, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 42 (1).

5, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 40 (1).

6, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 36 (1).

7, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 34 (1).

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 33.

8, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 33.

10, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 30 (1).

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 26.

Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 26.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 25.

Samantha Ramirez, San Elizario, 23 (1).

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 23.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 21.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 15.

Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 13.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 13.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 13.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 12.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 10.

Madelyn Estrada, Mt. View, 9.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 8.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 8.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 7.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 7.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 7.

Marcela Hernandez, Riverside, 6.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 4.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Jeanette Rivera, YWLA, 3.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Lauren Perez, Riverside, 2.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 2.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 1.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 1.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso High, 1.

Ximena Holguin, San Elizario, 1.

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 6

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

Desert Twilight Invitational: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 24 at Queen Creek, Ariz. Eastwood, Riverside, Del Valle, Bel Air, San Elizario, Cathedral.

Organ Invite: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at Organ High School in Las Cruces. Franklin, Coronado, Santa Teresa, Chaparral, Gadsden.

DaVinci Invitational:  8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at the Don Haskins Recreation Center. Austin, Jefferson, Ysleta, YWLA, Eastlake, Anthony, Fabens, Cathedral, Loretto, Canutillo, Harmony, Da Vinci.

Lubbock Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25 at Mae Simmons Park.  Burges, Chapin, El Paso, Andress, Bowie, El Dorado, Socorro, Americas, Pebble Hills, Montwood, Valle Verde, Hanks, Parkland.

Many of the city’s top teams and individuals will travel to out-of-town invitationals this weekend.

Top 10

1. Eastwood: The Troopers placed 13th in the “rated” division at the 40th annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic in Woodbridge, Calif. Senior Lauren Walls-Portillo was second in 17:17.6 and freshman Adelynn Rodriguez was third in 17:20.1 – both personal best times. Two other Eastwood runners set personal best times on the 3-mile course – juniors Salma Licon (19:10.4) and Sophia Watts (19:11.6). The team will compete at the Desert Twilight, the Nike Pre-Southwest Regional meet, in Queen Creek Arizona on Friday night.

2. Franklin: The Cougars varsity did not race on Saturday. However, the JV managed to win the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club with 82 points. Its top runner was junior Shani Malone who was 14th in 22:09.71. The team will race at the Organ Invitational in Las Cruces.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans finished second at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club. Junior Natalia Martinez – who was second in 20:18.68 – was the only top 10 runner. Pebble Hills will race at the Lubbock Invitational on Saturday.

4. Coronado: The T-Birds move up two spots after its third-place finish at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club, despite not placing a runner in the top 10. Sophomore Alexa Lawrence was 12th in 22:04.31 and senior Banah Abdeljaber was 16th in 22:14.07. Coronado will race at the Organ Invitational in Las Cruces.

5. Montwood:  The Rams drop one spot after placing fourth at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club. Montwood had two runners finish in the top 10 – junior Kassandra Jimenez (fourth, 20:53.45) and senior Alexa Rangel (sixth, 21:21.62). Montwood will race at the Lubbock Invitational on Saturday.

6. Jefferson: The Foxes did not run a full team at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club but had two runners – senior Monique Correa (seventh, 21:27.27) and junior Crystal Peterson (eighth, 21:35.21) – finish in the top 10. Jefferson is schedule to race at the DaVinci Invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center.  

7. Canutillo: The Eagles did not race a full team at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club. Canutillo will compete at the DaVinci Invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center.

8. Eastlake: The Falcons are back in the top 10 after finishing fifth at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday. It’s top two runners were senior Giselle Rubio (24th, 22:40.14) and sophomore Itzel Chavez (25th, 22:47.72). Eastlake will compete at the DaVinci Invitational at the Don Haskins Recreation Center on Saturday.

9. Hanks: The Knights finished sixth at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club. Senior Mia Rivera was third in 20:34.74. The team will race at the Lubbock Invitational on Saturday.

10. Americas: The Trailblazers make its season debut after its seventh-place finish at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club. Freshman Lexee Salas was the top finisher, placing 13th in 22:09.25. The team will race at the Lubbock Invitational on Saturday.

Dropped out: Del Valle, Socorro.

On the brink: El Paso High, Burges.

San Elizario senior Samantha Ramirez won the 3,200-meter race at the District Preview Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club in 13:28.83. The Eagles will travel to Queen Creek, Ariz. to race at the Desert Twilight Invitational on Friday.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:17.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

2, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 17:20.1 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:28.29 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11)

4, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

5, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

6, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:07.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

7, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

8, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:10.4 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

9, Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 19:11.6 (Woodbridge, 9/18).

10, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:25.63 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

11, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:37.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

12, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:38.94 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

13, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

14, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 19:45.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

15, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:51.64 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

16, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

17, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:57.39 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

18, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 19:57.84 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

19, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19:58.38 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

20, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

21, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

22, Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 20:03.35 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

23, Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 20:11.1 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

24, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:16.4 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

25, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:16.96 (Del Valle, 8/28).

Bel Air senior Abigail Murillo finished fifth in 21:16.43 at the District Preview Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club. The Highlanders will compete at the Desert Twilight Invitational at Queen Creek, Ariz.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 39 (1).

2, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 38 (2).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 38 (2).

4, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 36 (1).

5, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 35 (1).

6, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 34 (1).

6, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 34 (1).

8, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 30 (1).

9, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 27.

10, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 26.

10, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 26.

Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 25.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 23.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 17.

Samantha Ramirez, San Elizario, 15 (1).

Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 13.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 13.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 12.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 10.

Madelyn Estrada, Mt. View, 9.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 9.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 8.

Katelyn Montoya, San Elizario, 8.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 7.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 7.

Marcela Hernandez, Riverside, 6.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 4.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Osmary Vazquez, San Elizario, 4.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 3.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Jeanette Rivera, YWLA, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Lauren Perez, Riverside, 2.

Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 2.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 1.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 1.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 1.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 1.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso High, 1.

Ximena Holguin, San Elizario, 1.

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 5

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

District Preview: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at Vista Hills Country Club. All schools.

Woodbridge Classic: 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18 at SilverLakes Sports Complex in Woodbridge, Calif. Eastwood.

We are at the midway mark of the 2021 season as things start to heat up. Vista Hills Country Club will be the place to be on Saturday as all teams are scheduled to compete in the District Preview meet.

Top 10

1. Eastwood: The Troopers did not race on Saturday. Eastwood has been putting in extra work the past two weeks in preparation of two major races – the 40th annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic presented by ASICS America in Woodbridge, Calif. on Saturday and the Desert Twilight, the Nike Pre-Southwest Regional meet, in Queen Creek Arizona on Sept. 25.

2. Franklin: The Cougars scored 25 points to win the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday. Franklin placed four of its runners in the top five led by junior Alyssa Laspada (second, 18:52.40), senior Jordan Torres (third, 19:07.10), junior Abby Barraza (fourth, 19:25.63) and senior Jenna Saunders (fifth, 19:37.10). Franklin will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans did not run its top runners at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park. They will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

4. Montwood:  The Rams finished second at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday with 51 points. Junior Kassandra Jimenez turned in a season-best 18:28.29, the second fastest time in the city.  Montwood had two other runners – senior Alexa Rangel (seventh, in 19:51.64) and junior Jazmine Miranda (eighth, 19:57.30) – in the top 10. Rangel and Miranda also ran season-best times. Montwood will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

5. Jefferson: The Foxes did not run a full team at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park but did place two runners – junior Crystal Peterson (third, 21:07.17) and senior Monique Correa (seventh, 21:46.60) – in the top 10. Jefferson will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

6. Coronado: The T-Birds finished continue to improve and finished third at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park with 70 points. Junior Kyra Walker had her best race of her season, finishing 10th in 19:58.38. Coronado will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

7. Del Valle: The Conquistadores did not race a full team at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday. Senior Anisa Sanchez was ninth in a season-best 19:57.84. Del Valle will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

8. Canutillo: The Eagles move up one after winning the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational with 55 points. Junior Natalie Rivera was second in 20:10.43 and junior Dania Cano finished one spot outside of the top 10 in 22:50.26.  Canutillo will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

9. Hanks: The Knights finished second with 89 points at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park and moved down one spot. Senior Mia Rivera picked up her first win of the season in 20:02.00.  The team will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

10. Socorro: The Bulldogs did not run a full team at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park. Senior Ana Rojas was sixth in 19:38.94. The team will race at the District Preview at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: El Paso High, Burges, Eastlake.

Americas freshman Lexee Salas has been a nice addition as the Trailblazers try to rebuild. She finished fifth at last week’s Loretto/Cathedral Invitational.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:58.28 (Del Valle, 8/28).

2, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:28.29 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11)

3, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

4, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:37.95 (Del Valle, 8/28).

5, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

6, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19:07.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

7, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

8, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:25.63 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

9, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:37.10 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

10, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:38.94 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

11, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

12, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 19:45.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

13, Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 19:51.64 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

14, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

15, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:54.44 (Del Valle, 8/28).

16, Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 19:57.39 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

17, Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 19:57.84 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

18, Kyra Walker, Coronado, 19:58.38 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

19, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

20, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

21, Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 20:03.35 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

22, Banah Abdeljaber, Coronado, 20:11.1 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

23, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:16.4 (Mary Frances Keisling, 9/11).

24, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:16.96 (Del Valle, 8/28).

25, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 20:18.22 (Del Valle, 8/28).

El Paso High sophomore Andrea Castillo has the Tigers on the brink of El Paso Running’s top 10. She finished eighth at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational in 22:14.16.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 35 (1).

2, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 34 (1).

3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 31 (2).

3, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 31 (1).

5, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 29 (2).

6, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 28 (1).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 27.

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 25.

9, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 24.

10, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 23.

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 22.

Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 21 (1).

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 18.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 17.

Andrea Castillo, El Paso High, 13.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 12.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 10.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 8.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 8.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 7.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 7.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 7.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Samantha Ramirez, San Elizario, 5.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 4.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Jazmine Miranda, Montwood, 3.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 1.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 1.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 1.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 1.

Kyra Walker, Coronado, 1.

Sofia Ramirez, El Paso High, 1.

High School Girl’s XC Poll: Week 4

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

EPISD Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Mary Francis Keisling Park, 651 Gomez. Franklin, Coronado, Bowie, Eastlake, Socorro, Montwood, Riverside, Del Valle, Clint, Ft Hancock. Anthony, LPI, Harmony.

Loretto/Cathedral Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11 at Veterans Park. Burges, El Paso, Irvin Jefferson, Andress, Chapin El Dorado, Americas, Eastwood, Valle Verde, Ysleta, Hanks, Parkland, Bel Air, YWLA, Mt.View, Horizon, Tornillo, Canutillo, Pebble Hills, Fabens, Loretto, Cathedral, San Elizario.

As the fourth week of the season begins, many teams will resting up for out-of-town invitationals.

Top 10

1. Eastwood: The Troopers take over the top spot after winning the Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club with 38 points, 11 better than previous No. 1 Franklin. Eastwood had three runners – senior Lauren Walls-Portillo (first, 19:05.8), freshman Adelynn Rodriguez (second, 19:43.6) and junior Sophia Watts (ninth, 21:21.1) – finish in the top 10. It was the second straight week Walls-Portillo and Rodriguez finished 1-2. Eastwood’s five scores finished in the top 19. Eastwood will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

2. Franklin: The Cougars drop a spot after finishing second at the Pebble Hills Invitational with 47 points. Its top three runners were junior Alyssa Laspada (third, 20:19.10, senior Jenna Saunders (fifth, 20:27.7) and senior Jordan Torres, Franklin (seventh, 21:07.1). Franklin will try to regroup at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday.

3. Pebble Hills: The Spartans hold steady at No. 3 after its third-place at the Pebble Hills Invitational, scoring 72 points. Its top runners were junior Natalia Martinez (sixth, 20:51.1) and sophomore Carolina Zarrabal (eighth, 21:14.4). Pebble Hills will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

4. Montwood:  The Rams did not run a full team at the Ysleta/Riverside Invitational at Shawver Park, however junior Kassandra Jimenez won the event in 19:26.77 and senior Alexa Rangel was fourth in 20:27.46. Montwood will race at EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday.

5. Jefferson: The Foxes won its second consecutive team championship taking first-place at the Ysleta/Riverside Invitational at Shawver Park with 58 points. Junior Crystal Peterson was fifth in 20:34.35 and senior Monique Correa was sixth in 20:40.23 to lead Jefferson. Jefferson will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

6. Coronado: The T-Birds finished fourth at the Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club with 87 points. Coronado’s top three three runners finished 13th (sophomore Alexa Lawrence, 21:47.1), 14th (junior Kyra Walker, 21:56.2) and 17th (senior Banah Abdeljaber (22:14.9). Coronado will race at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday.

7. Del Valle: The Conquistadores did not race a full team at the Ysleta/Riverside Invitational. It’s top two runners were seniors Anisa Sanchez (12th, 21:09.11) and   Disany Sandoval (13th, 21:12.83). Del Valle will at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday.

8. Hanks: The Knights finished second with 75 points at the Ysleta/Riverside Invitational at Shawver Park. Senior Mia Rivera was third in 19:53.20. Freshman Elizabeth Aguirre was the only top 20 runner, placing 15th in 21:53.64.  The team will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational at Veterans Park on Saturday.

9. Canutillo: The Eagles were third (four points behind Hanks) at the Ysleta/Riverside Invitational.  Junior Natalie Rivera was second overall in 19:45.20 and junior Dania Cano was ninth in 20:57.06. Canutillo will race at the Loretto/Cathedral Invitational on Saturday.

10. Socorro: For the second straight week, the Bulldogs did not run a full team at the Pebble Hills Invitational. Senior Ana Rojas was 12th in 21:44.8. The team will race at the EPISD Invitational at Mary Francis Keisling Park on Saturday.

Dropped out: None.

On the brink: El Paso High, Burges, Eastlake.

Hanks senior Mia Rivera is having a great season, ranking in the top 20 in overall time and in the top 10 in power rankings.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:58.28 (Del Valle, 8/28).

2, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

3, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:37.95 (Del Valle, 8/28).

4, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

5, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:59.84 (Del Valle, 8/28).

6, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

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

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:37.63 (Southlake, 8/28).

9, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

10, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 19:45.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

11, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:46.94 (Del Valle, 8/28).

12, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:52.45 (Canutillo, 8/21).

13, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:53.20 (Shawver Park, 9/4).

14, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:54.44 (Del Valle, 8/28).

15, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

16, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

17, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:16.96 (Del Valle, 8/28).

18, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:47.35 (Southlake, 8/28).

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

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

21, Lexee Salas, Americas, 20:57.20 (Cleveland, 8/28).

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

23, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 21:08.65 (Chaparral, 8/28).

24, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 21:17.61 (Chaparral, 8/28).

25, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 20:18.22 (Del Valle, 8/28).

The Pebble Hills girls have been this season’s sleeper, ranking at No. 3 in this week’s El Paso Running Top 10.

Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 29 (2).

2, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 28 (1).

3, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 26 (1).

4, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 25 (1).

5, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 24.

6, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 21 (1).

6, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 21 (1).

6, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 21.

9, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19.

9, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 19.

Monique Correa, Jefferson, 18.

Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 15.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 14.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 12.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 10.

Andrea Castillo, EPHS, 10.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 7.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 6.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 5.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 4.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Ana Rojas, Coronado, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Sophia Watts, Eastwood, 2.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 1.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 1.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 1.

Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 1.

Lexee Salas, Americas, 1.

High School Girls XC Poll: Week 3

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

Riverside/Ysleta Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at Shawver Park. El Paso, Jefferson, Bowie, Austin, Chapin, Montwood, Americas, El Dorado, Valle Verde, Riverside, Ysleta, Del Valle, Hanks, Parkland, Bel Air, YWLA, Mt. View, Clint, San Eli, Fabens, Harmony, Canutillo.

Pebble Hills Invitational: 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 4 at Vista Hills Country Club. Burges, Coronado, Franklin, Irvin, Andress, Horizon Eastlake, Pebble Hills, Socorro, Eastwood, Santa Teresa, Chaparral, Gadsden, Ft. Hancock, LPI, Cathedral, Loretto, Anthony.

The Del Valle course proved to be runner-friendly as 12 runners in the Top 25 set season personal best times last Saturday.

Top 10

1. Franklin: The Cougars placed sixth at the Southlake Carroll Invitational with 183 points. Southlake Carroll won the event with 60 points. Junior Alyssa Laspada was the top Franklin runner finishing 17th in 18:30.07, a season best. Senior Jenna Saunders also ran a season-best 19:37.63. Franklin will compete at the Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

2. Eastwood: The Troopers move up a spot after winning the Rudy Alvarez Invitational at Del Valle. Eastwood placed four runners in the top eight to win the event with 30 points – 45 more than the rest of the field. Senior Lauren Walls-Portillo won the race in a personal best 17:58.28 followed by freshman Adelynn Rodriguez (second, 18:37.95), senior Adalia Olmos (sixth, 19:41.07) and junior Salma Licon (eighth, 19:54.44). Eastwood will race at the at the Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

3. Pebble Hills: For the second straight week, the Spartans are the big movers and shakers – moving up another four spots. The young Pebble Hills team have been the surprise team of the season. On Saturday, it placed two runners Junior Natalia Martinez (fifth, 19:08.03) and sophomore Carolina Zarrabal (10th, 19:58.92) – in the top 10. Sophomore Natalie Franco was 13th in 20:24.44. Pebble Hills will race in its own in invitational at Vista Hills on Saturday.

4. Montwood:  The Rams drop two spots after its third-place finish at the Rudy Alvarez. Junior Kassandra Jimenez had a strong race, finishing fourth in 18:59.84 and junior Jazmine Miranda was 14th in 20:25.44. Senior Alexa Rangel was 23rd in 20:57.02. Montwood hopes to get back on track at the Riverside/Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park.

5. Jefferson: The Foxes won the Gadsden Invitational at Chaparral High School, placing it’s two seniors – Crystal Peterson (21:08.65) and Monique Correra (21:17.61) – in second and third. The Foxes need to develop more consistency in it’s 3-7 runners in order to remain in the top five. Jefferson will race at the Riverside/Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park on Saturday.

6. Coronado: The T-Birds finished fourth at the Rudy Alvarez Invitational with 120 points. Coronado placed three runners in the top 25 – sophomore Alexa Lawrence (15th, 20:36.08), senior Banah Abdeljaber (16th, 20:39.37) and junior Kyra Walker (25th, 21:08.42).  The team will regroup for the Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

7. Del Valle: The Conquistadores move up for the second straight week, this time two spots after placing fifth on its home course. Del Valle had three runners in the top 25 led by junior Valeria Loo-Kung who was 11th in 20:16.96.  Senior Disany Sandoval was 20th in 20:42.81 and senior Anisa Sanchez was 22nd in 20:54.20. Del Valle will race at the Riverside/Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park on Saturday.

8. Hanks: The Knights finished sixth at the Rudy Alvarez. Senior Mia Rivera had another top 10 finish, placing ninth in 19:57.47. Rivera was the only top 25 runner for Hanks. Senior Madison Spencer was 30th in 21:42.86. The team will race at the Riverside/Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park on Saturday.

9. Canutillo: The Eagles make its season debut in the Top 10 after placing second at the Gadsden Invitational at Chaparral High School.  Junior Natalie Rivera won the event in 21:03.86. Junior Dania Cano was sixth in 22:20.38 and junior Jennifer Najar was 10th in 23:04.25. The team will race at the Riverside/Ysleta Invitational at Shawver Park.

10. Socorro: The Bulldogs did not run a full team at the Rudy Alvarez. Senior Ana Rojas did manage a seventh-place finish in 19:46.94. The team will race at Pebble Hills Invitational at Vista Hills Country Club on Saturday.

Dropped out: Bel Air.

On the brink: Burges, Eastlake, El Paso High.

Jefferson’s Monique Correa and Crystal Peterson as well as Canutillo’s Natalie Rivera have turned in top 25 times this season.

Top times (3 mile or 5K)

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 17:58.28 (Del Valle, 8/28).

2, Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 18:30.07 (Southlake, 8/28).

3, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 18:37.95 (Del Valle, 8/28).

4, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 18:59.11 (Del Valle, 8/28).

5, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 18:59.84 (Del Valle, 8/28).

6, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 19:08.03 (Del Valle, 8/28).

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

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 19:37.63 (Southlake, 8/28).

9, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 19:41.07 (Del Valle, 8/28).

10, Ana Rojas, Socorro, 19:46.94 (Del Valle, 8/28).

11, Abby Barraza, Franklin, 19:52.45 (Canutillo, 8/21).

12, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 19:54.44 (Del Valle, 8/28).

13, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 19:57.47 (Del Valle, 8/28).

14, Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 19:58.92 (Del Valle, 8/28).

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

16, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 20:03.13 (Canutillo, 8/21).

17, Valeria Loo-Kung, Del Valle, 20:16.96 (Del Valle, 8/28).

17, Michele Paillard, Franklin, 20:47.35 (Southlake, 8/28).

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

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

20, Lexee Salas, Americas, 20:57.20 (Cleveland, 8/28).

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

22, Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 21:08.65 (Chaparral, 8/28).

24, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 21:17.61 (Chaparral, 8/28).

25, Abigail Murillo, Bel Air, 20:18.22 (Del Valle, 8/28).

Burges senior Pam Ramirez has been the bright spot for the Mustangs this season. She owns the city’s fourth fastest time (18:59.11).


Power rankings
(number parenthesis indicate meets won):

1, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 19 (1).

1, Adelynn Rodriguez, Eastwood, 19 (1).

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

4, Pamela Ramirez, Burges, 17.

5, Natalia Martinez, Pebble Hills, 16 (1).

5, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 16 (1).

7, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 15.

8, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 13.

8, Monique Correa, Jefferson, 13.

8, Mia Rivera, Hanks, 13.

Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 11.

Abby Barraza, Franklin, 10.

Carolina Zarrabal, Pebble Hills, 9.

Crystal Peterson, Jefferson, 9.

Alexa Rangel, Montwood, 7.

Andrea Castillo, EPHS, 7.

Anisa Sanchez, Del Valle, 6.

Elizabeth Hernandez, Austin, 6.

Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 5.

Dania Cano, Canutillo, 5.

Ana Rojas, Socorro, 5.

Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 4.

Natalie Franco, Pebble Hills, 4.

Allison Perez, Coronado, 3.

Disany Sandoval, Del Valle, 3.

Salma Licon, Eastwood, 3.

Ana Rojas, Coronado, 3.

Giselle Rubio, Eastlake, 2.

Caroline Pitchkolan, Coronado, 2.

Olivia Garcia, Tornillo, 1.

Alexa Lawrence, Coronado, 1.

Jennifer Najar, Canutillo, 1.

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 11th 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 (12th, 22:40.60), Giavanna Zubia (13th, 22:45.54) and Jasmine Martinez (15th, 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 14th 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 16th 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 (10th, 20:55.11), senior Banah Abdeljaber (13th, 21:21.56) and junior Kyra Walker (14th, 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 20th 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 (5th, 21:44.42) and senior Disany Sandoval (8th, 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 8th in 20:33.84. Two other runners had top 20 races – senior Andrea Estrada (18th, 22:18.66) and senior Yanitza Olivares (19th, 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.

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 17th 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

  1. 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 5th 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 17th 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.

Girl’s Top 10 Track and Field Times and Distances: Final

There were three city best times and distances set at the state championships.

Tornillo senior Lizbeth Fierro won a silver medal at the UIL State Track and Field Championship in the Class 3A shot put, with a toss of 39 feet, 8.75 inches.

Chapin senior Eireann Donahoe improved on her city best mark with a personal best 38 feet, 10.50 inches in the Class 5A triple jump where she finished fourth.

Chapin senior Plea’ Jai’ Roulhac, finished fifth in Class 5A 300-meter hurdles in 43.86 – a personal best.

Here the top 10 track and field male athletes in each track and field event after Week 12:

Field Events

Discus: 1, Leslie Jaquez, Jefferson, 123-7; 2, Victoria Loya, Clint, 119-04; 3, Sadi Clemons, Canutillo, 116-7; 4, Ashanti Williams, Andress, 115-3; 5, Fatima Lara, Montwood, 114-9.5; 6, Genesis Soto, Socorro, 112-10; 7, Jasmine Mancilla, Bel Air, 109-7; 8, Aries Mendez, Eastwood, 107-3; 9, Alyssa Lambert, Burges, 104-9.5; 10, Zoey Nunn, Montwood, 104-4.

Shot put: 1, Lizbeth Fierro, Tornillo. 39 feet, 8.75 inches; 2, Lillian Licon, Pebble Hills, 37-6; 3, Cierra Alba, Socorro, 36-9; 4, Amaris Delgado, Socorro, 35-5.5; 5, Ashanti Williams, Andress, 35-2; 5, Leslie Jaquez, Jefferson, 35-2; 7, Jasmin Flores, Hanks, 35-1; 8, Fatima Lara, Montwood, 35-0.5; 9, Aries Mendez, Eastwood, 34-1; 10, Victoria Loya, Clint, 33-10.5.

High jump: 1 Sydney Co, Pebble Hills, 5 feet, 4 inches; 1, Eireann Donohoe, Chapin, 5-4; 3, Aileen Alvarado, El Dorado, 5-2; 4, Anesa McBain, Eastwood, 5-0; 4, Kaira Joseph, Eastwood, 5-0; 4, Kayla Phillip, Andress, 5-0; 7, Jennifer Valdez, Mt. View, 4-11; 8, Sarah Austin, El Dorado, 4-10; 8, Makeia Ray, Eastlake, 4-10; 8, Erika Salinas, Franklin, 4-10; 8, Samahdi Foster, Chapin, 4-10; 8, Alyssa McBain, Eastwood, 4-10; 8, Bianca Parker, Del Valle, 4-10; 8, Annette Guzman, Burges, 4-10.

Pole vault: 1, Amelia Stuart, Franklin, 11-feet, 6 inches; 2, Trinity Letuli, Franklin, 9-0; 2, Amaya Hernandez, Bel Air, 9-0; 4, Alexis Martinez, Mt. View, 8-6; 4, Marissa Stills, Coronado, 8-6; 4, Dania Armendariz, Del Valle, 8-6; 4, Minerva Cerda, Mt. View, 8-6; 8, Renata Alvarado, Riverside, 8-0; 8, Aritzel Garcia, Burges 8-0; 8, Karissa Avalos, Del Valle, 8-0.

Long jump: 1, Angelina Killings, Montwood, 17 feet, 7.5 inches; 2, Eireann Donohoe, Chapin, 17-7; 3, Sofia Ramirez, Montwood, 17-6.75; 4, Kayleigh Walton, Eastwood, 17-2.5; 5, Sydney Co, Pebble Hills, 17-0; 6, Alex Guzman, Franklin, 16-11.50; 7, Diana Cain, Franklin, 16-10; 8, Madelaine Estrada, Mt. View, 16-7.5; 9, Paola Guzman, Mt. View, 16.6.5; 10, Citlaly Rodriguez, Bowie, 16-6.

Triple jump: 1, Eireann Donahoe, Chapin, 38 feet, 10.50 inches; 2, Joanna Huang, El Paso High, 36-6; 3, Alani Hupstead, Americas, 36-2; 4, Plea Jai Roulhac, Chapin, 35-6.5; 5, Destiny Dominguez, Ysleta, 34-3; 6, Miranda Lopez, Franklin, 34-1; 7, Aileen Alvarado, El Dorado, 33-6; 8, Kimberly Castillo, Loretto, 33-6; 9, Nevaeh Buntyn, Pebble Hills, 33-3; 9, Deborah Lozano, El Dorado, 33-3.

Running Events

100 meters: 1, India Dowling-Green, El Dorado, 12.36; 2, Alex Guzman, Franklin, 12.53; 3, Alisa Chandler, Burges, 12.61; 4, Devin Martinez, Franklin, 12.64; 5, Caidence Johnson, Chapin, 12.70; 6, Melody Burton, Hanks, 12.76; 7, Tamia McLaughlin, El Dorado, 12.77; 7, Paola Guzman, Mt. View, 12.77; 9, Angelina Killings, Montwood, 12.85; 10, Pamela Martinez, Harmony, 12.93.

200 meters: 1, India Dowling-Green, El Dorado, 25.28; 2, Alex Guzman, Franklin, 25.51; 3, Citaly Rodriguez, Bowe, 25.54; 4, Cionna Calloway, El Dorado, 25.58; 5, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 25.69; 6, Bianca Parker, Del Valle, 25.83; 7, Kennedy McDonald, Chapin, 26.07; 8, Paola Guzman, Mt, View, 26.17; 9, Devin Martinez, Franklin, 26.27; 10, Sela Arevalo, Chapin, 26.53.

400 meters: 1, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 55.82; 2, Camila Gonzalez, Montwood, 58.54; 3, Annette Guzman, Burges, 58.91;4, Grace Oyetunde, Franklin, 59.47; 5, Sela Arevalo, Chapin, 59.65; 6, Allyson Little, Franklin, 59.67; 7, Destiny Bushnell, Pebble Hills, 59.86; 8,  Bianca Parker, Del Valle, 1:00.14; 9, Devin Martinez, Franklin, 1:00.33; 10, Brittany Bernal, El Dorado, 1:01.20.

800 meters: 1, Angelina Lujan-Marrufo, Parkland, 2:11.83; 2, Annette Guzman, Burges, 2:16.41; 3, Allyson Little, Franklin, 2:18.20; 4, Eva Jess, Franklin, 2:19.83; 5, Griselda Sainz, Coronado, 2:20.23; 6, Sofia Camacho, Franklin, 2:20.74; 7, Isabella Medina, Americas, 2:20.96; 8, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 2:22.27; 9, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 2:23.81; 10, Jaylee Levario, Bel Air, 2:25.24.

1,600 meters: 1, Eva Jess, Franklin, 5:02.31; 2, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood, 5:06.32; 3, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 5:24.07; 4, Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 5:25.90; 5, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 5:30.38; 6, Natalie Rivera, Canutillo, 5:35.28; 7, Megan Kirtley, Eastlake, 5:35.83; 8, Jordan Torres, Franklin, 5:36.01; 9, Melody Tsutsumi, Jefferson, 5:38.37; 10, Karyme Garcia, Montwood, 5:38.58.

3,200: 1, Eva Jess, Franklin, 10:49.55; 2, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Eastwood 11:12.15;3,Alyssa Laspada, Franklin, 11:25.34;4, Kassandra Jimenez, Montwood, 11:35.77; 5, Victoria Ovalles, Eastwood, 11:49.96; 6, Jenna Saunders, Franklin, 12:01.96; 7, Melody Tsutsumi, Jefferson, 12:02.91; 8, Megan Kirtley, Eastlake, 12:11.13; 9, Amber Martin, Eastwood, 12:15.59; 10, Morayama Montes, Austin, 12:20.43.

100-meter hurdles: 1, Valeria Portillo, Coronado, 14.76; 2, Eireann Donohoe, Chapin, 15.57; 3, Emily Trillo, Jefferson, 16.01; 4, Alani Hupstead, Americas, 16.34; 5, Cailee Phillips, Franklin, 16.55; 6, Erika Salinas, Franklin, 16.57; 7, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 16.81; 8, Laci Del Pino, Ysleta, 16.98; 9, Madelaine Estrada, Mt. View, 17.00; 10, Ariana Hernandez, Americas, 17.17.

300-meter hurdles: 1, Plea Jai Roulhac, Chapin, 43.86; 2, Cailee Phillips, Franklin, 46.08; 3, Ashley Ibarra, Hanks 46.28; 4, Valeria Portillo, Coronado, 46.74; 5, Emily Trillo, Jefferson, 46.97; 6, Salma Licon, Eastwood, 47.40; 7, Adalia Olmos, Eastwood, 48.57; 8, Alani Hupstead, Americas, 48.97; 9, Erika Salinas, Franklin, 48.99; 10, Leticia Giron, Eastlake, 49.20.

400-meter relay: 1, Chapin (Maliyah Pride, Eireann Donohoe, Samahdi Foster, Plea’ Jai’ Roulhac), 48.21; 2,  El Dorado (Zeanita Thomas, Cionna Calloway, Deborah Lozano, Tamia McLaughlin), 49.05; 3, Franklin (Amelia Stuart,Alex Guzman, Diana Cain, Devin Martinez), 49.23; 4, Eastwood (Anissa Navarro, Alexia Mata, Aaliyah Davis, Kayleigh Walton), 49.47; 5, Burges (Juliana Patton, Anaiah Quinn, Mari Wright, Alisa Chandler), 49.89; 6, Montwood (Angelina Killings, Sofia Ramirez, Paola Salas, Marcela Lozano), 50.38; 7, Pebble Hills (Adenaji Jones Tornes, Grace Newby, Sydney Co, Lyric Ponce), 50.66; 8, Coronado (Camila Hernandez, Valeria Portillo, Jarryn Koneri, Gabriella Escobedo), 51.14; 9, Montwood (Angelina Killings, Sofia Ramirez, Paola Salas, Lozano, Marcela), 51.32; 10, Jefferson (Bella Vega, Emily Trillo, Ayana Gonzalez, Nyla Howard), 51.69.

800-meter relay: 1, El Dorado (India Dowling-Green, Cionna Calloway, Deborah Lozano, Tamia McLaughlin), 1:41.81; 2, Chapin (Kennedy McDonald, Caidence Johnson, Maliyah Pride, Samahdi Foster), 1:44.01; 3, Franklin (Alex Guzman, Amelia Stuart, Diana Cain, Layla Tandy), 1:46.27; 4, Americas (Alani Hupstead, Demetreal Green, Alejandra Reynoso, Angela Hernandez), 1:47.18; 5, Bowie (Grace Valadez, Hazitri Acevedo, Kendra Escareno, Citaly Rodriguez), 1:48.31; 6, Mt. View (Madelaine Estrada, Jennifer Valdez, Jema Padilla, Paola Guzman), 1:48.57; 7, Eastwood (Anissa Navarro, Giovanna Zubia, Alexia Mata, Aaliyah Davis), 1:48.69; 8, Canutillo (Leslie Del Real, Dannielle Carrillo, Sadi Clemons, Waste Little Spotted Horse), 1:49.24; 9, Montwood (Angelina Killings, Sofia Ramirez, Marcela Lozano, Jerutizy Aguliar), 1:50.12; 10, Bel Air (Eryal Martinez, Kemberly Goytia, Vianey Gomez, Jaylee Levario), 1:50.21.

1,600-meter relay: 1, Chapin (Kennedy McDonald, Plea’ Jai’ Roulhac, Samahdi Foster, Sela Arevalo), 3:55.90; 2, Franklin (Grace Oyetunde, Sofia Camacho, Cailee Phillips, Allyson Little), 4:01.48; 3, Burges, 4:04.56; 4, Montwood (Camila Gonzalez, Brianna Favela, Sofia Ramirez, Aylin Enriquez), 4:06.31; 5, Eastwood (Salma Licon, Alexia Mata, Lauren Walls-Portillo, Kayleigh Walton), 4:08.03; 6, Canutillo (Waste’ Little Spotted horse, Dannielle Carrillo, Sadi Clemons, Natalie Rivera,), 4:13.45; 7, El Dorado (Brittany Bernal, Sarah Austin, Viviana Zambrano, Deborah Lozano), 4:15.74; 8, Pebble Hills (Mikela Cartwright, Yunique Puente, Nevaeh Buntyn, Destiny Bushnell), 4:15.90; 9, Americas, 4:18.59; 10, Eastlake (Julianne Granillo, Stephanie Sanchez, Alexa Galindo,  Leticia Giron), 4:20.24.