RSS FeedALBUQUERQUE - With just two meets left before districts, the Grants Pirates and Laguna-Acoma cross-country teams board the big-yellow bus for another shot at the big boys when they head to Rio Rancho for the Ram Invitational on Saturday for the 9 a.m. start.
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Grants will have to battle it out with Moriarty and Belen for the third spot behind front runners Albuquerque Academy and St. Pius.
At the other end of the district, Laguna-Acoma will also be looking for a berth at state as they hope to finish in one of the top-three spots and if past performance is any indication, the Hawks will return to Rio Rancho in four weeks with another shot at 3A glory.
If L-A's Greg Vallo is eligible to compete, his team could surprise a few people. The Runnin' Lady Hawks are led by super-underclassman Melissa Saavedra.
She has finished in the top 10 at several meets and she won the L-AHS Invite recently, sparking memories of another Laguna-Acoma cross-country phenomenon - Melissa Lucero from the early 1990's.
Grants, on the other hand, will be hoping to qualify for the end of the season finale after missing it altogether last year. It was the first time in 14 years, according to Vandiver, that no Pirates' runner or team made it to the state cross country championship.
Varsity girls get off the starting line first promptly at 9 a.m. with the boys' varsity and then junior varsity teams to follow. All races take place at Rio Rancho High School.
By Will Kie
Beacon senior sportswriter
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