"Jamboree, but its no picnic": A deeper look at the City of Vision's XC courses

RIO RANCHO — A wise man once said, “If you build it, they will come.”

Only a handful of high schools get to host cross-country meets over the course of the athletic year. But in that selected few? Both Cleveland High School and Rio Rancho High School.

Cleveland hosts the season-opening “Macen Holderman Memorial Invite” in late August, as the Rams put on the “Rio Rancho Jamboree,” which takes place this weekend.

But aside from the challenge of facing two dominant cross-country programs in the City of Vision, what makes these courses in town unique?

To get a new perspective on the question, I ventured outside the city limits for answers.

“One of the great things about courses in the Metro area is that they are all so unique,” Elena Schrader, the cross-country coach at Volcano Vista High School, said. “Schools in the Metro area have found great courses, and the (Rio Rancho) Jamboree makes great use of the school campus and is fun for spectators.”

A combined 98 high schools and middle schools are set to attend this year’s meet, bringing in talent from all over. Being one of the larger meets on the season schedule, the Jamboree has a “championship” division separate from the usual “varsity” division for the upper echelon of runners.

But don’t let the “Jamboree” name fool you; the Rio Rancho course is not a walk in the park. The school’s neighboring hills become a factor in the 5K course setup, leaving some runners in the dust.

“This course is challenging in that it tests an athlete’s patience,” Schrader said. “Athletes who are ‘too enthusiastic’ during mile one pay the price on mile two. Then, in mile three, athletes are away from the crowd and need to be mentally tough for the last hill and run without crowd support until the last 400 meters.”

The other 97 schools will look to break up the Rams’ and Storm’s “home cooking” as of late, with the Rio Rancho boys’ team taking first place with the Storm in second at last year’s Jamboree. Over at the Cleveland Invite in August, Storm senior Lucas Espinosa set a course record at his home course to open the 2025 season.

While only a few miles apart from each other, Cleveland’s course and Rio Rancho’s course still have their differences.

“Both are great courses; the biggest difference is the hills on the Jamboree course,” Schrader said. “Both run on grass, dirt and concrete; both are great for the fans.”

Saturday’s runners will have to climb the hill, literally and figuratively, to take a place on the Jamboree throne. Last year’s winners, Rio Rancho’s Charlie Vause and Sandia’s Kate Henderson, have graduated, leaving the top spots open for some new names.

“For runners new to the course: Be controlled and patient in mile one, enjoy the crowd and the flat grass in mile two,” Schrader said. “Be mentally tough in mile three, and most importantly, have fun!”

The 2025 Rio Rancho Jamboree will kick off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept 20.

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