Mud doesn't dampen spirits

Manny Hernandez and Erin Encinias continued to be the top runners for the Tucumcari boys and girls cross-country teams Thursday at a wet Hobbs Invitational meet.

Tucumcari coach Gary Hittson said it was “very entertaining watching the runners go through the mud puddles; they had a great time. The muddy conditions certainly were not hazardous.”

Hittson did not get the final placings of his individual runners and teams, as those hadn’t been compiled before they departed for home.

Hernandez finished the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 53 seconds to lead the Rattlers. Teammates Ayden Lusk ran it in 19:56 and Curtis Gonzales in 19:57.

For the junior-varsity boys, Britt Lusk finished in 24:22, Andrew Clark in 25:28 and Tyrus Jones in 28:22.

Encinias led the Lady Rattlers with a time of 22:38.

Filling out the rest of the girls squad were A’leaya Lucero (24:12), Lizet Castillo (26:40) and Leslie Navarette (28:43).

Tucumcari’s last regular-season meet is at the Pecos Valley Invitational at Roswell at 9 a.m. Saturday.