Cross country braces for 2016

CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad cross country team isn't particularly concerned by how stacked the new district is.

In fact, they look forward to the challenge of facing the four Las Cruces schools more often in 2016.

Cavemen junior Cory Calvani said he expects this year's meets to include far more runners than in previous years, resulting in even tougher competition, because the Las Cruces schools have bigger cross country rosters.

"[It's] a lot of new competition that we've got to train for," Calvani said.

Preparing for the new district, coach David Gonzalez said his squad must run at a more consistent pace during the middle portion of each race. Gonzalez said that although Carlsbad's had some strong starts and finishes in recent years, the middle part will be key against the Las Cruces-area teams.

Although Carlsbad increased effort from week to week last year, Calvani said he'd like to see Carlsbad give it 100 percent each and every time. Calvani said there were times in 2015 where Carlsbad would take it easy in some races and then overdo it during the district championships. But now that the Las Cruces schools are in the same district, Calvani believes it's time to set that tone right away.

Carlsbad participated in the Oñate-Las Cruces Invitational in 2015. Now Cavegirls senior Jaslynn DeLeon said Carlsbad will be more prepared for that meet this year because the team's now more familiar with the course.

"We'll definitely know how to run the race. We'll plan on when to kick in and that kind of thing," DeLeon said, also mentioning familiarity with the Las Cruces teams will help with game-planning.

DeLeon also said because the Las Cruces schools have more runners on their rosters, Carlsbad must have more of its own runners stay together for extra points and better team results.

"Since there were more runners in Las Cruces [in 2015], the boys and girls were more spread out," DeLeon said.

On the boys side, key returners include Calvani and seniors Riley Smith and Ethan Johnson. On the girls side, key returners include DeLeon, juniors Karli Clarkston, Kendal Parham and Astyn Rodriguez, sophomore Bobbie Heath and freshman Kourtney Taylor.

"Everyone looks up to me now," DeLeon said.

Senior Carly Kantrowitz, who throws in the shot put during track and field season, will join the cross country team in 2016. Running with the group every practice day, Kantrowitz said she's doing it to improve her footwork and build more core strength in the shot put.

Junior Bryce Ramsey is out for the season with a torn ACL, Gonzalez said.

Looking ahead, Gonzalez said the new district will be good for his squad.

"We hardly ever see (Las) Cruces. It'll be good motivation for us to step it up a notch. I think it'll be a good turnout. It's just an extra drive for us," Gonzalez said.

Carlsbad opens the 2016 season at 3:30 p.m. today at Clovis.

2016 Carlsbad cross country schedule

Aug. 26: at Clovis Invitational, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 1: at Lovington Invitational, 3:30 p.m.

Sept.10: at Pecos Valley Invitational in Roswell, 9 a.m.

Sept. 17: Ron Singleton Invitational (at Lake Carlsbad Beach Park), 10 a.m. *

Sept. 24: at Oñate-Las Cruces Invitational, 9 a.m. *

Oct. 6: at Artesia Invitational, 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 13: at Hobbs Invitational, 3:30 p.m. *

Oct. 22: at Ruidoso Invitational, 10 a.m.

Oct. 29: District championships at Gadsden, 3:30 p.m. *

Nov. 5: State championships at Rio Rancho, TBA

* = District meet

2016 Carlsbad cross country roster

BOYS

Garret Aldaz, junior

Simon Armijo, junior

Talon Brown, junior

Cory Calvani, junior 

Kevin Calvani, freshman

Cody Dew, freshman

Christopher Fierro, freshman

Jack Fritchy, senior

Markos Gonzalez, freshman

Dylan Heath, freshman

Ryan Hernandez, sophomore

Skyler Hill, freshman

Dane Johnson, freshman 

Ethan Johnson, senior

Josh Johnson, eighth grader

Luke Johnson, junior

Raymundo Juarez, junior

James Lane, junior

Jeremiah Lopez, freshman

Caleb Macias, freshman

Uriah Martinez, sophomore

Jordan Paul, junior

Bo Simmons, freshman

Jonathan Sims, sophomore

Michael Sims, junior

Evan Smith, freshman

Riley Smith, senior

Jordan Tesillo, senior

Damian Yost, freshman

GIRLS

Isabella Chavez, sophomore

Karlie Clarkston, junior

Jaslynn DeLeon, senior

Bobbie Heath, sophomore

Brittany Jenkins, junior

Hailey Johnson, freshman

Carly Kantrowitz, senior

Sierra Kostedt, junior

Danielle Lara, sophomore

Baylee Lynn, sophomore

Mary Jane Martinez, sophomore

Kendal Parham, junior

Bryce Ramsey, junior (injured reserve)

Kiana Rangel, freshman

Astyn Rodriguez, junior

Valeria Salazar, sophomore

Kourtney Taylor, freshman

Emily Young, eighth grader

Current-Argus Sports Editor Matt Hollinshead may be reached at 575-628-5518.