No runners medal at state track

Five Tucumcari cross-country runners competed but did not medal at the Class 3A state championships Saturday at Rio Rancho High School.

Coach Gary Hittson didn’t express disappointment with his athletes’ performances Saturday, saying: “I am very proud of this year’s team.”

Erin Encinias was Tucumcari’s top runner, finishing 49th in the girls race in a time of 23 minutes, 14.25 seconds over the three-mile course.

Lady Rattlers teammate A’leaya Lucero finished 69th in 25:15.25, and Lizet Castillo was 72nd in 25:46.85. Tucumcari didn’t have enough runners to field a full team at state.

Jewels Leslie of Wingate won the individual Class 3A girls title in 19:34.75. Cottonwood Classical Prep won the team title with 54 points.

A total of 87 runners competed in the Class 3A girls race.

For the Tucumcari boys, Manny Hernandez was the top finisher in 70th place with a time of 19:28.05. Teammate Ayden Lusk finished 81st in 21:07.50.

Deshawn Goodwin of Zuni won the Class 3A individual title in a time of 16:02.80. Zuni also won the team title with 23 points.

A total of 94 runners competed in the Class 3A boys race.