Cleveland captures fourth straight boys cross country state title
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (BVM) — Cleveland High School has only been around 2009, but no other boys cross country program has had more success in New Mexico’s biggest class since the Storm began competing in the sport.
Cleveland captured its fourth consecutive Class 5A state title Saturday in the Western Sky Community Care State Cross Country Championships held at Albuquerque Academy. It’s the sixth state title in 10 years for the Storm, who captured their first two teams championships in 2011 and 2012.
Three runners finished in the top 11 individually to help Cleveland hold off second-place Rio Rancho, 35-31. The Storm were led by Ricardo Rangel-Valencia (15 minutes, 51.69 seconds) who placed second individually, two seconds behind state champ Makua Harvey of Piedra Vista. Chris Humetawa (16:08.58) had Cleveland’s second-fastest time and placed sixth while teammate Jonathan Fragua (16:24.68) came in 11th individually. Cody Toyoa (17:17.33) and Caden Nunn (17:22.34) finished in 22nd and 23rd place, respectively.
The Storm’s average time of 16:28.07 is the team’s best since 2012 when it averaged 16:08.99 at the state meet. Cleveland has now claimed 38 team state titles as a school since 2011, with the boys cross country program’s six titles trailing only the boys track and field program, which has won seven in eight years.
