Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
The Portales High girls cross country team is hopeful it can qualify for state this year despite its relative youth. The team begins the season Saturday with a home meet against Lovington and New Mexico Military Institute.
The Portales High boys cross country team practices Thursday on the Eastern New Mexico University campus.
PORTALES - Portales High took a big step last fall in its second year of cross country competition. The Rams and Lady Rams qualified a combined three runners for Class 4A state competition in Rio Rancho.
Now the goal is to get a team to state as they prepare to open the season at home on Saturday with a triangular against Lovington and New Mexico Military.
"We have lots of new faces, lots of new talent and lots of positive energy," second-year PHS coach Laura McNeill said.
Two of the three state qualifiers return in sophomores Michael Riess for the boys and Aliyah Miranda for the girls.
"There are definitely a lot of positives," said Miranda, who was 71st at state last season with a 5K time of 23 minutes, 6.10 seconds. "I feel like we're going to continue to get better."
McNeill said Riess, 35th at state last year in 17:49.20, should be the Rams' top runner. She also expects good things from senior Traise Cain, the team captain, and sophomore Cody Webster.
"I want to run faster than I have (in the past)," Cain said. "Everyone has big goals, and that's exciting."
Cain, who is in his third year in the program, said the plan is simply to continue making progress as a team. The Rams' other state qualifier, then-senior Brandon Guerro, placed 57th in 18:15.40.
"Since we're still growing a program, it's hard to tell," he said of how far the Rams can go this year. "We've competed with everyone around us so far."
Miranda hopes to set the pace for the Lady Rams, who are still an extremely young program.
McNeill believes two newcomers, freshman Emma Hurren and sophomore Zoe Roy, can provide significant support.
"Last year, we definitely didn't have as strong a team as we would've liked," Miranda said. "This year, I think we definitely have the team to qualify (for state)."
PHS squads have a second home meet on Nov. 7 when they host Clovis and Roswell High.
Whatever happens, McNeill said she wants her athletes to enjoy the experience as best they can despite limitations which are the result of the virus.
"It's not about state for me," she said. "It's about my kids being happy. They're finding that joy again."
