Area runners have state title ambitions
Navajo Times | Paul Natonabah Miyamura High senior Nickolas Jameson was the first runner to complete the 5K race during the McGaffey scrimmage at Red Rock Park on Saturday.
GALLUP
The pool of potential state champions has become a lot deeper for some of the area’s prep cross-country athletes.
On Saturday three reserve champions from last year’s New Mexico state meet took park of the McGaffey scrimmage, which had to be relocated to Red Rock Park due to the summer monsoon season.
“My goal is to win state and basically, I want to PR at all of my meets,” said Miyamura senior Nicholas Jameson. “I am basically trying to go after records at each race.”
Jameson finished behind teammate Niles Thomas in last season’s Class 5A state race. Thomas now sports the uniform of the New Mexico State University men’s cross-country team.
“This is Nicholas’ last year and his goal is to be No. 1 in the state,” Miyamura coach Robert Torres said. “That is what he’s really focusing on so he’ll give it everything he’s got every single meet.”
In addition to Jameson, Ramah junior Kiana Chavez (2A) and Laguna-Acoma sophomore Terri Daily (3A) placed second in their respective races last fall.
“Knowing that I was that close last year makes me want to push even harder this year,” Chavez said. “I was a little disappointed that I didn’t win but I am working hard this year to win state.”
Dailey shared those same aspirations as Chavez and Jameson and to achieve those goals she hopes to bring her “A” game to every meet.
“I want to bring the gold home this year,” the Laguna-Acoma runner said. “I want to be under the 19:20 mark and I want our team to win state too.”
On Saturday, Riley won the race and she finished ahead of teammate Aubree Francis, who will compete on the varsity team as an eighth grader.
“My goal is similar to Terri’s but I am in no rush,” Francis said. “I still have a ways to go but I want to win state.”
Navajo Pine sophomore Kalika Bryant and Gallup senior Steven Nez also intend to bring glory to their respective schools. Bryant finished third behind Chavez in the 2A race last year while Nez finished a respectable second on Saturday.
“I am looking forward to the season,” Nez said. “I want to place well at state.”
Nez said the team was hurt by injuries late in the season, as he was the only Gallup runner to qualify for state.
“The goal is to get to district healthy and qualify as a team,” Nez said.
To read the full article, pick up your copy of the Navajo Times at your nearest newsstand Thursday mornings!
Are you a digital subscriber? Read the most recent three weeks of stories by logging in to your online account.
Highway 264,
I-40, WB @ Winslow