Once again led to the finish line by Rob Selph, the Rio Rancho High School boys cross country team finished sixth at the Class 5A state meet Saturday at RRHS.

Although it was the Rams’ worst finish since 2002, when they finished sixth in their first state meet appearance, Selph actually trimmed more than 31 seconds off his finish in 2007 – on the same course – when he finished 10th.

This time, the senior finished 12th, with the Rams amassing 153 points, 36 fewer than in their third-place finish a season before.

Me and my shadow. RRHS senior Rob Selph heads to the finish line at Rio Rancho Stadium.

Selph posted a time of 16:09.55 for the five-kilometer run, contested on a wonderful fall morning.

Following Selph to the line were Rams Clint Bramlette (20th/16:28.45), Larry Rodarte (29th/16:41.35), Caleb Rubalcaba (40th/16:54.05) and Elijah Wolfe (52nd/17:22.45). Also running were John Van Damme (53rd/17:24.35) and Jordan Arroyo (67th/17:41.95), whose scores were not used. Bramlette, the only other Ram besides Selph who ran at last year’s meet, sliced slashed more than 1 2/3 minutes off his 2007 time, which wasn’t used – he finished a distant 52nd.

Although Eldorado twins Bryce and Kevin Palmer, last year’s winner, finished 1-2 (15:07.25 and 15:10.25, respectively), the Golden Eagles managed only a third-place finish.

Cibola won the title with 51 points, with Sandia in second with 73 points.

Eldorado (94), Clovis (139) and Gallup (148) also finished ahead of the Rams, who were third in the District 1-5A meet nine days earlier. That district race was won by Cibola, with Gallup in second place.

Rounding out the top 10 boys teams were Manzano (170), Los Lunas (187),La Cueva (196) and Hobbs (204).

It was the first cross country title for the Cougars, who finished second to Gallup last fall. Gallup saw its streak of 5A titles end at three, although the Bengals have won 18 state titles since 1983.

“It can be fun, yeah,” Selph said. “Most of the time it’s real fun. Sometimes, you know, it’s work but if you want to be competitive, you put in the work.”

The senior said he’s learned leadership skills as he rose through the ranks.

“I’ve taken the responsibility of leading us during the warm-up and, you know, encouraging people. But everybody on this team has contributed to a real encouraging atmosphere.”

Looking ahead to a final season of track and field competition in the spring, Selph said what he’s learned from running may pay off down the road.

“I think working hard in cross country can give you a mindset that can help you work hard in school,” he said, unsure of where he’d be attending college next fall.