Same venue different course
Both the Peaks and Four Corners Invitationals are at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff but the courses are quite different. The Peaks course is a little tougher with an extra hill and for some that extra hill can be a deal breaker but not for Flagstaff senior Tatiana Gillick.
"I prefer the Peaks course," said Gillick after the race. "The second hill just really helps me make a kick when girls, most of the time, will slow down because everybody is tired."
Gillick won her second title at the Four Corners Invitational in a time of 18:11.2 besting her 2012 time of 18:40.6.
Gillick has had great success at Buffalo Park winning both the Peaks and Four Corners events in 2012 and 2013 and finishing 2nd (in the same events) her sophomore year to Rolonda Jumbo who is now running for NAU.
Daangoiina Haven (So., Ganado) ran to a 2nd place finish with a time of 19:14.9 with teammate Nikesha Eagleman (So.) taking 3rd in 19:17.1 and Arcadia sophomore Megan Reniewicki placing 4th in 19:18.6. Alix Manci (Jr., Flagstaff) rounded out the top 5 in 19:23.5
Gillick led her team to victory with 61 points over Page with 136 points. Also scoring for Flagstaff were Manci, Fiona Nicholson (Jr., 19:37.1); Ashley Onsae (Sr., 20:41.5) and Rae Johnson (Sr., 20:45.5).
Tuba City senior Anthony Masayesva appeared to come out of nowhere (well not really) to win the boys event in 15:49.5 taking the lead at the half mile mark. Masayesva is a virtual unknown in Arizona running because for the last 3 years he and his twin brother Brian have been running for Serra High School in San Diego. Masayesva ran the 200 and 400 meters while at Page middle school but did not run in Arizona again until this season. Masayesva finished 3rd at the Peaks invitational 2 weeks ago and 3rd a the Antelope Point invite last week.
As Masayesva was crossing the finish line 3 runners from Page rounded the corner in lock step. Tyron Yazzie (Jr., 16:13.9), Jeffery Miller (Jr., 16:14.1) and Xiaija Schuldies (Sr., 16:14.3) were out for a stroll - running together as a unit throughout the race - all looking strong for their final sprint across the finish line. The three helped Page win the team title with 30 points to Tuba City's 44 points. Also scoring for Page were 8th place finisher Justin Littleman (Jr., 16:44.2) and 13th place finisher Michael Tsosie (Jr., 17:00.1)
Pinon freshman won the boys open race in 17:22.2 with Jevon Yazzie (Fr., Page) finishing 2nd in 17:54.0 and Joseph Splude (Sr., Page) taking 3rd in 18:54.0
Grace Meyer (Fr., Flagstaff) won the girls open race in 21:24.8 followed by Jennifer Maldonado (So, Peoria) in 21:41.3 and Mia Smith (So., Page) in 21.50.5.
It was a Flagstaff kind of day with a team victory in 3 of the 4 races. The boys won the Open race with 42 points to Page's 93 points. Tuba City took 3rd with 98 points.
The girls scored 29 points to win the team title over Ironwood High's 94 points. Tuba City finished 3rd with 122 points.