Rams compete at Nike Regionals, Vause heading to Nationals

RIO RANCHO (Nov. 20, 2024) — The Rio Rancho cross-country team headed to Mesa, Arizona, last week to compete in the Nike Cross Regionals meet for a chance to head to nationals. Unfortunately, the Rams finished sixth, just 14 points shy of the fourth-place finish needed to qualify.

It wasn’t all bad news for the RRHS squad, however. Star Rams runner Charlie Vause finished third and posted his top time of the year, 14:30.19. Along with a medal, Vause earned a spot at the 19th annual Nike Cross Nationals meet (NXN) in Portland, Oregon, this coming Saturday, Dec. 7.

According to MileSplit, “Team Cross Country Nationals is comprised of nine regional qualifying meets and the national finals in Portland, Oregon. ...Eight regional championships and the CIF State Championships will determine both teams and individuals. Boys and girls fields of 22 seven-person clubs and an additional 50 individuals will lay it on the line in the quest for a national championship.”

It’s fair to say that, in running circles, the Rams turned some heads throughout the year, reaching as high as 11th on the national rankings, according to DyeStat.com.

The boys team capped the 2024 campaign off with an NMAA Cross Country State Championship. Vause took second and won the individual title in 2023.

“We are proud of the boys for the highest finish by a New Mexico team in many years at the Southwest Regional Meet and Charlie Vause for qualifying for nationals,” said Rams head coach Philip Keller.

The girls had a fantastic season as well. They finished 26th at the Nike Regionals and claimed the APS Metro Championship title earlier this year.

The Nike Cross Nationals meet takes place Dec. 7. For more information or to livestream the event for free, visit nxn.runnerspace.com.