Ram boys take titles as Vause places second; Ram girls, Galbraith take second

ALBUQUERQUE — New Mexico’s cross-country rock star delivered again on the state’s biggest stage. This time, she also left with an additional medal around her neck.

“This is so fun. Running is supposed to be so much fun, hence the smile and the headband,” Gianna Rahmer said.

The Eldorado High School freshman easily won her second straight Class 5A state championship on Saturday afternoon at Albuquerque Academy, routing the field by 66 seconds.

But she also led the Eagles to the Class 5A team championship on a brisk day at the Academy.

“Definitely the team,” Rahmer said, having been asked which aspect of Saturday was sweeter. “We have worked so hard, even from last year to this year. I’m just so proud of them. Everyone just pushed and gave it their all.”

Rahmer’s winning time was 17 minutes, 34.7 seconds. Mariah Galbraith (18:40.3) of Rio Rancho was second.

Rahmer finished in under 17 minutes last year at state on this same course, but said this week’s wet weather didn’t make the course noticeably slower.

“I think I’m just at a different spot this year, different circumstances,” she said.

Eldorado doesn’t have any seniors, but the Eagles were the top team Saturday, scoring 60 points. The only other Eldorado runner in the top 10 was Camar Dhaouadi, who was ninth.

“They were passing people like crazy at the end,” said Eldorado coach Chokri Dhaouadi. “Middle of the race we were not winning.”

He smiled.

“Love makes miracles,” he said. “At least that’s what I think.”

Rio Rancho (72) and Cleveland (78) also won trophies Saturday.

The state’s most elite boys team, Rio Rancho, had a brilliant finish to their season.

The Rams occupied four of the top six spots, scored 27 points, and beat runner-up Organ Mountain by 40 points. Cleveland was third.

Knights senior Corbin Coombs and Rio Rancho’s Charlie Vause, the defending state champion, staged an exciting duel to the finish line. Those two pulled away over the final mile, and entered the stadium with Coombs a single stride in front.

Vause tried to run Coombs down, but couldn’t, and Coombs won state in a time of 14:49.0. Vause was 1.5 seconds behind.

“Last year, I was fourth, and there were two juniors in front of me with Mateo (Herrera, of Rio Rancho) and Charlie,” Coombs said. “Once track season went really well, it was a big goal of mine to make it happen and I’m super grateful that it did.”

For Rio Rancho, Cody Sullivan was third, Herrera fifth and Alejandro Casaus sixth.