Rio Rancho girls sweep district cross country, face Sandia in soccer final
Cleveland takes the boys cross country title while Rio Rancho soccer teams exit the state playoffs, setting up a weekend of championship football.
By Robert Ward ·
The Rio Rancho girls cross country team captured the District 1-5A title on October 30, securing the top seed ahead of the state championships. Mariah Galbraith won the individual race for the squad. In the boys division, Cleveland claimed the team championship, with Alejandro Casaus finishing first as the top individual runner for Rio Rancho.
The district results set the stage for the Nov. 7 state meet. Rio Rancho will enter the boys race as the district runner-up, while the girls team defends the district crown. Both squads compete in the same event, marking the end of the cross country season.
Postseason soccer eliminated both Rio Rancho high school teams. The boys lost 2-1 to Sandia in the semifinals on Nov. 2, ending their NMAA run. The girls fell 2-1 to La Cueva in the quarterfinals on Oct. 31. Central High’s boys team also lost in the quarterfinals to Hobbs on Oct. 30.
Volleyball concluded its regular season with mixed results for local teams. Central High defeated Volcano Vista 3-0 and Rio Rancho 3-0 on Nov. 5. Rio Rancho lost 3-2 to Piedra Vista on Nov. 3. The 2026 state brackets for volleyball release Nov. 8.
Football concludes its regular season this weekend with two first round playoff games. Rio Rancho hosts Las Cruces on Nov. 6 for the 6A state title. Belen High travels to Manzano on Nov. 7 for the 4A state title. Central High lost its final regular season game to Rio Rancho 50-0 on Oct. 30.
