NB3FIT runners had plenty to be proud of at the 2026 USATF New Mexico Association Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships. From first-place finishes to personal progress built over the season, the meet was a chance to celebrate how far the youth have come.
Tobias Loretto won the boys 8-and-under 2K in 8:07.6, and Jillian Calabaza won the girls 9–10 3K in 11:38.7, both with personal bests. In the boys 15–18 5K, Christopher Nastacio, Martin Sandoval and Colton Muskett swept the top three spots, with Nathan Calabaza and Domingo Chavez also finishing in the top 10.
Lilliana Tsethlikai led NB3FIT in the girls 15–18 5K, placing second with a personal best of 22:23.6. Janaka Townsend finished fourth, and Savannah Sangre placed 10th. The girls 8-and-under A team earned second place, led by Daisy Sanchez’s sixth-place finish, while the B team placed fifth.
Other highlights included Keilani Mcculley, Avielle Carlisle and Ariana Vigil finishing seventh, 10th and 11th in the girls 13–14 race, all with personal bests. Gage Shendo also ran a personal best to finish 12th in the boys 8-and-under race.
Beyond the results, many of our runners made significant strides of their own this season. Building confidence, finding their pace and sticking with something challenging are accomplishments worth celebrating, too. We’re proud of the work our youth put in and grateful to the coaches and families who have been there for them along the way.
The season continues for many of our NB3FIT youth who will head to the USATF Region 10 Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Monument Valley North End Park in Colorado Springs, Colorado. All youth who competed at state are eligible to participate in regionals.
Congratulations to all our runners, and let’s keep cheering them on!
