Wolves Continue To Grow As Scottsdale Powerhouse


Returning Database All-Girls' Team Rankings (Based on Average): 12th
Returning AIA D2 Boys' Team Rankings (Based on Average): 5th
Returning AIA D2 Girls' Team Rankings (Based on Average): 2nd
Desert Mountain have some phenomenal leaders in their returning Seniors and continue to foster the buy-in for their underclassmen as well. Returning seniors Connor Heron and Kyle Miller hope to build on their achievements from past year. Meanwhile, Logan Kerr ran 16:58 at the Titan Invitational and finished 17th in the D2 Section 4 Boys race along the same course.
The DM girls won their Sectional Title last year, led by Haley Smith and Kaylin Lacher. We saw dramatic improvements out of Haley Smith last year and while Lacher had a fantastic showing at the previous State Championship, we know there's more room for her to grow as an upperclassman.
Though both DM teams are very strong up front, they also have significant ground to make up if they seek to lock down a top three finish at the State Meet.

Coach Kemmerle says?

Who are your top runners?
Boys: Connor Heron (Sr), Kyle Miller (Sr), Logan Kerr (So)
Girls: Kaylin Lacher (So), Haley Smith (Sr) Jayme Morris (Sr)
Do you have any impact freshman or incoming transfers?
Brady McCaskill has run well with our top guys and looks to be in contention for a varsity spot.
What meets are you keying in on this year?
Desert Twilight, Scottsdale District Meet, State Meet
How have you built DMXC culture? Are there any traditions that have stood the test of time for you guys?
For as long as I can remember, the team has had unique names for different stretches. For example, they call a piriformis stretch "the barfing flamingo." We are also trying to create new traditions this year as we continue to grow as a team.
(Left: Connor Heron finished 4th as Desert Mountain's top boy at the AIA Cross Country State Championships. - photo by John Hays)
What advice do you give to any athlete who just ran the worst race of their career?
There will always be more races. Find a way to learn from it and move on.
Have you set any goals as a team?
Place top 3 at the State Meet among boys' and girls' teams. Sweep the Scottsdale City meet on both the girls' and boys' sides.
Check out the next page for stats on the Desert Mountain Wolves.