Rio Rancho Boys Cross Country Ranked #11 In The Country

The Rio Rancho High School boys cross country team is currently listed at #11 in the latest Dyestat National Rankings.  According to Albuquerque Academy coach Adam Kedge, Rio Rancho is the first New Mexico program to be ranked in over ten years.  The Rams are the two-time defending state champs and will attempt a three-peat this November.

“I am honored that we have received his ranking,” said Rio Rancho cross country coach Phillip Keller.  “I feel blessed that I have such a hard working team.  I also benefit greatly from the tradition of running excellence that Sal Gonzales left behind as the former coach and current athletic director at Rio Rancho High School.”

Rio Rancho won the St. Pius X Super Cinco, UNM Invitational, and Rio Rancho Jamboree in New Mexico earlier this season. Rio Rancho recently finished second at the Desert Twilight event in Arizona. “What really surprised me is how well we did at the Desert Twilight Meet in Arizona last weekend,” said Keller.  “I thought we would for sure be a top 5 team, maybe a top 3, but they placed second and had such a great race.  It is really the first race that we’ve run that has shown up on a regional and national scale for people to see.”

The Rams will compete in the APS Metro Championships this weekend.  Rio Rancho won the Metro Championships each of the last three years.