Serving the High Plains

Rattlers prep at Santa Rosa for cross-country district

The Tucumcari High School cross-country team competed in its final regular-season meet Thursday at Santa Rosa before it travels later this week to the district meet at Cobre.

Rattlers coach Tim Clark didn’t recall the results for his high-school runners Thursday, but he said his usual top runner, Creed Owen, had an off-week, allowing teammate to Alex Bueno De La O to have a better showing.

“I’d rather have an off-week at Santa Rosa than have an off-week (at district),” Clark said.

Clark said two varsity runners also did not compete Thursday because one had family commitments and the other was taking his ACT test.

Clark was pleased he should have a full boys team for the district meet at 3 p.m. Friday at Cobre, which will determine who qualifies for the state meet in Albuquerque.

Clark recruited Julian Flores earlier this month to fill the boys squad after seeing him run at the Quay County on the Move Fun Run 5K in Tucumcari.

Other runners competing for the Rattlers this week will be Tyrus Jones and Logan Lafferty.

Clark acknowledged he didn’t have lofty expectations for his boys team at the district meet.

“As all of us are first-timers in this whole deal and we’re young, I’m just hoping we can get some experience,” Clark said. “Now that I have a full team, maybe we can do something and move forward.”

Other teams at the Class 3A District 3/4 meet will be Hot Springs, New Mexico Military Institute, Ruidoso and Socorro.

 
 
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