November has arrived and that means it's time for the big
show at the AIA State Championships. While everyone loves watching records fall
and fast performances at the invitational meets, the goal is always to finish
the season on top.
Division III
First up at 8:30 am will be the Division III boys race, where
Santiago Hardy (Chinle, Sr.), Michael Barney (Saguaro, Sr.) and Vaughn Jackson
(Tuba City, Sr.) will all go head to head looking pull their teams through the
lowest score possible. Santiago Hardy ran the fastest time in Arizona this
season with a 15:16 performance at Desert Twilight. However, a week earlier at
Doug Conley, Barney outkicked Hardy over the home stretch in 14:49 to 14:53.
Their teams are all evenly matched as well, with average times across their respective
scoring five runners between 16:30 and 16:33. The Sand Devils from Page High
School also look formidable having finished only three points behind Tuba City
in their Section. The Ganado Hornets will also be part of the heavy mix of
teams, led by Jalen Chee (Jr.) the 4th boy to break 16 minutes out
of Division III.
(Photo by Alan Versaw)
Division I
Next up, at 9:45 am will be the Division I boys race, with
the Brophy Broncos looking to capture their first State Championship in 13
years, while Desert Vista will attempt to capture their third consecutive
victory. Brophy's Hociel Landa (Sr.) and Luke Mason (Sr.) ran the two fastest 5
km times for Division I in Arizona at Desert Twilight and led the Broncos to a
runner-up finish in Casa Grande. Reece Donihi has returned to fitness for the
Desert Vista Thunder, having won their Section at Crossroads Park last week.
Earlier this season he played a crucial role in helping Desert Vista finish 4th
at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic, as one of three DV boys who broke 15
minutes for three miles. In the fight for a third place team finish are the
Rincon University Rangers, the Highland Hawks, the Corona Del Sol Aztecs and
the Perry Pumas all with average times between 16:16 to 16:20 across their respective
1-5 spreads. 
Division IV
After the intermission for the Division II and IV walkthrough,
will be the Division IV boys race. The Hopi Bruins intend to extend their winning
streak with a 27th State Championship Title. The Bruins have an
average time of 16:58 but with only two boys under the 17-minute mark, including Diome Talaswaima (Sr.) who finished runner-up last year for the Bruins. Hoping
to usurp the defending champions are Many Farms and the Pinon Eagles both with
three guys each under 17 minutes for 5 km. Many Farms' no. 5 runner is faster
than Pinon's, but Pinon should not be underestimated, with their nucleus of Seniors
Tyrin Begay, Wesley Cook and Adriano Joe ranked 1st, 2nd
and 4th in Division IV.
(Photo by John Hays)
Division II
The last race of the day will be the Division II Boys going
off at 1:30 pm. The Campo Verde Coyotes are hungry for a State Championship
title with an average of 16:15 across their top five runners, two being freshman.
Their ace, Rylan Stubbs is only a sophomore and has already run under 16
minutes for 5 km, three times this season. Their biggest challenge will be the
Buena Colts right on their heels, with Manny Olivo-Quiñones (Sr.) and Josh
Sieler (Jr.) both under 16 minutes for 5 km. At Twilight Manny ran 15:20.60, the
second fastest time in the State. Gila Ridge will also be contenders for a
podium finish with Christian DeBoard (Jr.) ranked 4th just behind
Manny, Josh, and Rylan. The Hawks will have company from the South Mountain
Jaguars who beat them in Div. II Section 3 last week as well as Mesquite, and
Flagstaff.
Best of luck to all those who earned their ticket. We'll
see you tomorrow!
November has arrived and that means it's time for the big
show at the AIA State Championships. While everyone loves watching records fall
and fast performances at the invitational meets, the goal is always to finish
the season on top.
Division III
First up at 8:30 am will be the Division III boys race, where
Santiago Hardy (Chinle, Sr.), Michael Barney (Saguaro, Sr.) and Vaughn Jackson
(Tuba City, Sr.) will all go head to head looking pull their teams through the
lowest score possible. Santiago Hardy ran the fastest time in Arizona this
season with a 15:16 performance at Desert Twilight. However, a week earlier at
Doug Conley, Barney outkicked Hardy over the home stretch in 14:49 to 14:53.
Their teams are all evenly matched as well, with average times across their respective
scoring five runners between 16:30 and 16:33. The Sand Devils from Page High
School also look formidable having finished only three points behind Tuba City
in their Section. The Ganado Hornets will also be part of the heavy mix of
teams, led by Jalen Chee (Jr.) the 4th boy to break 16 minutes out
of Division III.