Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari's Manny Hernandez holds his all-district plaque after finishing third at the meet Friday at Roswell.
Tucumcari senior Emmanuel "Manny" Hernandez earned all-district honors by finishing third at the Class 3A district cross-country meet Friday at Roswell and qualified for this weekend's state championships at Albuquerque.
Tucumcari coach Gary Hittson said Hernandez dropped back from third to fourth place halfway through the 5,000-meter race but rallied during the last half-mile. He finished in a time of 18 minutes, 24 seconds.
"Manny ran a very good race ... very proud of him," Hittson said. "Manny placed in the top 20 at every meet we attended this year."
Hernandez was Tucumcari's only cross-country runner this season.
The District 3/4 race also included runners from Cobre, Socorro, New Mexico Military Institute and Hot Springs.
The Class 3A state championship race for boys is scheduled for 12:40 p.m. Saturday at Albuquerque Academy.