Salazar And Merickel Seized Their Victories In Dominant Fashion
While other districts began with the open races, the Paradise Valley District Championships started off with the varsity races at Sereno Park on Friday morning.
Luis Silva (Pinnacle, Sr.) and Paul Gonzales (North Canyon, Sr.) led the top pack around the first lap with of the course with their teammates Caden Acosta (Pinnacle, So.), Yael Caballero (North Canyon, So.), Matt Salazar (Paradise Valley, Jr.) and Nate Pestka (Shadow Mountain, So.) in tow.
Salazar worked his way up to the front of the pack and then made his move past Silva just before the final hill. As he crested the final hill, spectators watched the lanky redhead charge for the finish line and fist pumped for the victory. "I said to myself, I've worked this hard for so many months. I can't lose here. I've got to put it down," said Salazar.
Lu Silva finished runner-up followed soon after by Erik Hedberg of the Horizon Huskies. Led by Nate Pestka (So.), the Shadow Mountain boys placed their five of their scoring varsity runners among the top-16 finishers. The Matadors clinched their district team title with four sophomores and two freshmen.
Unlike in the boys' race, the girls' varsity race was dominated by a clear front-runner. Throughout the race, Cami Merickel (Pinnacle) extended her lead over the field by almost two minutes. She crossed the finish with a in stumble having completely spent her energy over the past 19-minutes for a season best.
Bella Gallo (North Canyon, Sr.) held off Paige Stockford (Pinnacle, So.) to finish runner-up and spearhead the Rattlers to victory. Amanda Brenier (Shadow Mountain, So.) and Arianna Faris (Horizon, Sr.) finished fourth and fifth as the last two girls under 21-minutes.
Maggie Vortuba (North Canyon, Jr.) came through for sixth place and though Naomi Rosin (Pinnacle, Fr.) finished seventh to place three Pioneers ahead of North Canyon, Bailey Mukai (Sr.), Brianna Diaz (Jr.) and Alayna Swaney (So.) finished eighth, ninth and tenth within just five seconds to secure North Canyon's fifth consecutive PV District title.