Moon Valley's Jorge Pineda took an early lead and increased it steadily throughout the Div 3 Sec 3 race at Skunk Creek Landfill last Saturday. Pineda's finish time of 17:24.36 was 27 seconds faster than 2nd place finisher Omar Ewert from Apache Junction.
Pineda took the lead in the first 400 meters accompanied by teammate Elden Esterly, Scott Jarriel (Fountain Hills), Jj Abramovich (Estrella Foothills) and Jimmy Zavela (Estrella Foothills).
After the first loop Pineda pulled away slightly with Jarriel and Esterly close behind but by the end of the second loop with 800 meters to go, Pineda held a considerable lead that carried him to the finish line.
Ewert finished 2nd in 17:51.00 followed by Francisco Contreras (17:56.56 - Wickenburg), Grant Navakuku (18:04.96 - Cactus) and Scott Jarriel (18:18.29 - Fountain Hills).
Tempe High won the Team Title with 70 points over Moon Valley's 75 points. Scoring for Tempe were 7th place finisher Ramiro Ortiz (18:25.05), 8th place finisher Jose Garcia (18:26.63), 15th place Andy Blanc (19:01.73), 16th place Tony Tipton (19:02.06) and 25th place Jose Luis Soto (19:40.93)
On the girls side Sierra Jarriel (Fountain Hills) cleared the finish line with the fastest time of the day of 20:17.44.
Although Jarriel stepped to the front early in the race she did not separated from the group until the back side of "The Beast Hill." Following close behind were Abby Greenleaf (Payson), Lexi Wilkes (Cactus) and Kenzie Fitzgerald (Cactus).
With 800 meters to go Jarriel put the hammer down and cross the finish line 35 seconds in front of Briana Alverez (Estrella Foothills) who finished in 20:52.58. Lexi Wilks (Cactus) finished 3rd in 21:17:39 with teammate Kenzie Fitzgerald finishing 4th in 21:50.16. Alyssa Willis (Apache Junction) rounded out the top five in 21:55.75.
Jarriell's win helped Fountain Hills to the Team Title with 55 points followed by Tempe High and Cactus High - both with 62 points.
Also scoring for Fountain Hills were 7th place finisher Erika Yost (22:12.93), 9th place finisher Brooke Yost (22:17.17), 13th place finisher Hope Brecto ((22:36.02) and 25th place finisher Emmie Lawrence (24:05.11).