Los Alamos and Hope Christian win state cross country titles

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The state cross country meet kicked off at Albuquerque Academy Friday.

Los Alamos won their second state team championship in a row.

Norissa Valdez led the way with her second individual state title.

The Hilltoppers had three runners finish in the top ten.

"It definitely does not get better than this, especially for the seniors. I’m so happy for them, and I couldn’t have done it without them," Valdez said.

In the boys 4A state meet, Hope Christian finished in first, second and third place.

Sophomore Rendon Kuykendall took first, and seniors Eric Scharton and Cade Martin took second and third respectively.

This win for the Huskies is their first state title in program history.

"It’s just crazy. I think we’ve been doubted as a team for a long time. Hope has just never been a name that’s been out there. We’ve just never had that depth, never had the numbers. We literally have six guys, and it’s just something crazy what we’ve been able to do," Kuykendall said.