PREP SPORTS
Academy's Ponte named Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year
Nicholas Ponte, an Academy senior, has been named the Gatorade Boys Cross Country Player of the Year for the fall 2025 season.
Ponte, who will attend and compete in cross country and track for Harvard, won the Class 4A state title last November, winning the race by over 27 seconds. He also led the Chargers to the team championship.
He won six of seven races during the regular season, including the University of New Mexico Invitational, and also the Academy Extravaganza.
At the Albuquerque Metro Championships, Ponte won in one of the most thrilling finishes of the season, edging La Cueva’s Nikko Mihan by about one body length at Nusenda Community Stadium.
Ponte was unbeaten against New Mexico competitors last fall. He placed in the top 25 at the Nike Cross Regionals in Arizona.
THIS AND THAT: Jared Porter of Valencia has joined the 1,000 career points list; he reached the plateau last week in a loss to St. Pius.
James Yodice covers prep sports for the Journal. You can reach him at jyodice@abqjournal.com or via X at @JamesDYodice.
