Serving the High Plains

Encinias top runner for Tucumcari

Erin Encinias was the top runner for Tucumcari's cross-country teams during Saturday's Pecos Valley Invitational at Roswell in their regular-season finale.

Encinias finished 16th in the girls race with a time of 19 minutes, 11 seconds over what coach Gary Hittson described as a “very fast” 3-mile course.

“The teams ran their fastest times of the year,” Hittson said.

Other Lady Rattlers at the meet were Ashley Shipley (43rd, 22:12), Lizet Castillo (45th, 22:19) and Leslie Navarette (59th, 24:22).

The top boys finisher for Tucumcari was Manny Hernandez, finishing 38th in 17 minutes flat. Other varsity Rattlers in the race were Curtis Gonzales (48th, 18:04) and Ayden Lusk (49th, 18:26).

Running for the boys junior varsity were Andrew Clark (52nd, 21:36), Britt Lusk (53rd, 21:38) and Tyrus Jones (58th, 25:17).

Running for the middle-school girls over a 2-mile course were Ashton Smith (18:22) and Samae Skinner (23:32).

The district meet for Tucumcari high-schoolers will be at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 at Socorro.