PHOENIX — Carlos Villarreal proved to be one of the state’s premier cross- country runners all season long and Saturday’s results only affirmed that.
The Rio Rico senior rounded out his high school cross country career by winning the boys Division III state championship in 15 minutes 24.1 seconds at the 3.1-mile path at Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix.
Villarreal wasn’t alone when it came to celebrating.
He was one of four winners from Southern Arizona and helped Rio Rico sweep the individual championships for the second straight year as sophomore Allie Schadler was successful in defending her title.
The other two local winners were Canyon Del Oro’s Bridgette Doucet and Salpointe Catholic senior Nathan Thomas, who swept the Division II titles.
Meanwhile, Allison James helped Catalina Foothills win the Division II team girls championship with her sixth-place finish after the Falcons were the runner-up in each of the last two years.
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Villarreal edged out fellow Rio Rico teammate and last year’s state champion Oscar Amaya, who placed eighth with a time of 16:41.
“I came in with a lot of confidence,” said Villarreal, who is verbally committed to run for the UA. “I learned how to work in the front instead of sitting back and kicking it at the end.”
Doucet, also a senior, ended her storied career by capturing the girls Division II state title in 18:06.9, making it look as effortless as her past two wins at the Rattler Invitational earlier this month and the sectional championships last weekend. She finished 37 seconds ahead of the runner-up.
“It feels good,” Doucet said. “I’m so glad I had the opportunity, it’s unreal.”
Doucet was the state runner-up in 2012 but sat out last season for health reasons before returning to the course this fall.
“We’ve been working for this for four years," CDO coach Rick Glider said. "it’s just been a dream."
Thomas also ended his high school career with a win thanks to a late push in the final stretch. He also had to battle through cramps.
“I didn’t know if I was going to hang with him but all I remember is hitting that last hill with 800 meters left,” Thomas said. “I was just thinking about everything that we’ve done in preparation for this race.”
Schadler will be the only returning champion next season after she captured the girls Division III title in 18:14.2. Despite the warmer weather, Schadler said it didn’t affect her race.
“I’m looking forward to next year and winning my third state championship,” she said. “Every day from here on out and reminding myself of my main goal.”
Foothills was Southern Arizona's lone team champion on Saturday and gave the Falcons their first team title since they won the Class 4A-1 crown in 2005.
James, a junior, was the only Foothills runner to finish inside the top 20 individually as Katie Pekaske, Hannah Whetzel, Katie Watson and Maya Collier placed 21st, 23rd, 25th and 27th, respectively, and finished within 25 seconds of each other.
Pusch Ridge Christian’s Grace Johnson started the successful string of Tucson finishes as she placed eighth in the girls Division IV race in 20:39, the first event of the day.