Thomas defends state cross-country title

Posted by Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Nov 12, 2015 | Track & Field |

RIO RANCHO

Sunnie R. Clahchischiligi | Navajo Times
Miyamura junior Nicholas Jameson (820) leads teammate Niles Thomas down hill as Albuquerque Academy junior Jordan Lesansee follows during the boy’s 5A race in the 2015 New Mexico Activities Association Cross Country State Championships. Thomas won his second state title in the race with a time of 15:54.00. Jameson placed second and Lesansee third.

There were a number of times this season when doubt lingered that Niles Thomas would have another stellar season.

It often showed itself when he didn’t place first at a number of meets after having an undefeated junior season. But doubt roared its ugly head most prominently when Thomas simply had an off day.

“Even if you have bad races, races like that, people are going to doubt you,” Thomas said. “You just got to prove them wrong.”

And so the Miyamura High School senior did. On Saturday at the 2015 New Mexico Activities Association State Cross Country Championships, Thomas proved the naysayers wrong and defended his state title by becoming the back-to-back 5A boy’s state cross country champion. He finished in 15:54.00, the best time, regardless of classification.

“It’s way sweeter than last year,” he said. “Coming from ups and downs, this just makes it even better.”

Thomas made his typical start out front and center. He led with a small pack of familiar runners that included teammate Nicholas Jameson and Albuquerque Academy fellow native runner Jordan Lesansee.