Navajo Prep athletes looking for top finish at state

KIRTLAND, N.M.

Navajo Prep sophomore Elijah England is looking to medal in at least two of his running events at this week’s New Mexico Class 3A state meet, which gets underway on Friday at the UNM Soccer and Track Complex in Albuquerque.

England is optimistic that he can win gold in the 1600- and 3200-meter races as he has posted some of the fastest times this year at the 3A level. His season best includes a 4:36 in the 1600 and a 10:23 in the 3200.

The Navajo Prep runner is also looking to make a podium appearance in the 800, but he’s a little uncertain if he can finish in the top 6 at the state meet.

“I think I’m ranked No. 1 in the mile and two-mile, but I’m not sure about the 800,” England said.

By posting some of the fastest times, England understand there is some added pressure to win state.

“Right now, I’m handling it OK,” England said of the weight he’s carrying. “I’m taking it meet by meet, but with the state meet coming up, I’m going to try and go hard.”

At the district meet on Saturday, England cruised to a first-place time of 4:38.79 in the 1600.

“Honestly, it’s very difficult to push myself and get a PR when there’s no one in front of me,” England said. “I believe I could go faster if someone was in front of me, but my goal (today) was just to finish the race and be ready for next week.”

Last season, England ran a leg on the 4×800 state championship team. He also earned a silver medal on the 1600 sprint medley team and bronze in the 1600.

The Navajo Prep track team also has some high hopes for senior Lailah McGary, as she enters the state meet as the defending state champion in the 300-meter hurdles.

“Right now, I’m slowly getting back into it,” McGary said. “Throughout the season, it’s been rocky. I’ve been trying to PR, but I really think I’m peaking at the right time, so going into to state with this mentally is a good sign.”

“I could possibly repeat,” she added.

At the district meet, McGary placed first in the 300 hurdles (50.10) and triple jump (31-03.5). She added a second-place finish in the 100 hurdles, as she lost the district crown to Zuni’s Jazmine Lasiloo by one-hundredth of a second. Lasiloo won the race at 18.85 while McGary clocked in at 18.86.

In addition to the three events, McGary is also qualified in the long jump event.

Navajo Prep junior Macallen Cousens is another athlete to look out for as he’s qualified in the 400, 4×400, 4×800 and triple jump.

On Saturday, he placed first in the 400 with a time of 53.40 seconds and second in the triple jump with 37-09.75 effort.

In the 400, he led by a large margin before he eased up on the gas pedal in the last 50 meters.

“I was going to go for a new PR, but my coach sat me down and talked to me,” Cousens said. “He was looking for me to take the placement route. I don’t make the decisions; I’m just the executioner and I just do what he tells me.”

Cousens says he’s seen improvements with his times on the track and distances on the field. He credits that to his athletic ability as well changes in his mental thinking.

“I’m getting more athletic, but I think my biggest improvement comes from my mentality,” he said. “I’ve matured and now I’m starting to think more strategically and think more about my team.

“I’m starting to incorporate that stuff more because as a freshman and sophomore, you’re just hungry,” he added. “You’re just trying to make a name for yourself, but now that I’ve matured, I’m starting to become more of a team leader.”

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