Lincoln XC wins the first middle school state title for RRPS

RIO RANCHO- The Lincoln Middle School cross country team made history Oct. 17 at Rio Rancho High School, winning the first middle school state title not only for Lincoln but for Rio Rancho Public Schools.

“It was a huge accomplishment. Super proud of the coaches and student athletes here. It’s the first middle school state championship in Rio Rancho Public Schools’ history,” Lincoln Athletic Director Daniel Cunningham said.

All seven of the Lincoln runners placed in the top 34, which would result in a commanding first-place team finish with 73 points. Finishing in second place was Jemez Valley (102), and in third, Los Alamos (158).

“We had just finished the race, and they had these TVs with all the scores,” Lincoln runner Graeme Call said. “We saw that we dominated all the teams.”

Besides Call, other runners on the squad included Izaiah Pozos, Landon Lujan, Matthew Guest, Caleb Naber, Gregory Loera, Ben Bergsten, and alternative Beckham Wall.

“It’s a little bit surreal, actually,” Lincoln cross country head coach Keith Gerrard said, who runs the program along with his assistant coach Logan Hoyer.

The year prior, Gerrard’s squad came in second place. At that time, Gerrard and Cunningham knew that they had a special team on their hands, as most of the team were seventh graders and would be back for another run at the title.

“This is something we really geared up for for a long while, I knew what they were capable of, and they executed,” Gerrard said. “They all just have a natural ability for distance running.”

The Lincoln runners finished the state meet in this order: Pozos (5th place), Lujan (8th place), Guest (12th place), Naber (16th place), Call (32nd place), Loera (33rd place), and Bergsten (34th place).

“Going to these meets, and watching them compete, and watching them give it their all…it’s has just become, maybe my favorite sport to watch now,” Cunningham said.

As the boys of the 2025 Lincoln cross country team cement their status as legends through the Lincoln hallways, it’s important to note that these boys will soon be suiting up for the Rio Rancho Rams.

“Proud of our coaches. I think we have the two best middle school cross country coaches in the state of New Mexico. We are super grateful to have these guys lead our kids.”