Joaquin, Maricopa harriers off and running

While the team has had its challenges in fielding a full squad at times, the Maricopa High cross country squad has acquired some quality racers along the way. Maricopa High junior Alyssa Joaquin is one such runner.

A seasoned track runner, Joaquin was recruited by track and cross country coach Duane Anderson to fill one of the many empty spots on the girls’ cross country roster.

Joaquin, who is glad she agreed to run in her first season of cross country, said there is more competition in cross country, and it has also allowed her to stay in shape in the track off-season.

In fact, Joaquin said staying in shape is one of the best reasons to join the cross country team.

“Anyone who plays another sport (in the winter or spring) should run cross country because running gets you in really good shape,” Joaquin said.

Some of the reasons she thinks more people don’t participate, however, include the long distance running and the heat.

A track runner for six years, Joaquin can’t choose between track or cross country and says the only difference between the two is a lot more running.

Joaquin ran those long distances on her own for the first two meets of the cross country season, finishing 14th out of 39 runners in the first meet and setting her personal best record in the second.

As other girls joined the team, Joaquin encouraged them to pace themselves and stay with a group on the course; tips she learned in the weeks she ran alone.

Joaquin is excited to finally have enough girls to qualify for team awards, but her season goal remains a solo feat; to beat her best time of 23:40. At the Rojo Ojo meet in Chandler, she came within 10 seconds of doing just that.

Anderson said like all of his members this season, Joaquin always works hard and is becoming a great cross country runner.

Last Wednesday in Coolidge, the team had 10 runners participate for the first time. The two girls who ran varsity, Joaquin and Carisa Fletcher, finished third and fifth, respectively in a field of 15. For two of the three girls who ran for junior varsity, it was their first race.

On the boys’ side, Chris Collett and Taylor Martin paced the team, finishing 16th and 18th, respectively in a field of some 30 runners. Maricopa finished last in the team standings, but Anderson said that overall it was a good day.

“We have a hard working group, and hopefully we will continue to improve as the season goes on,” Anderson said.

This week the Rams will face two other schools in a meet at the Duke in Maricopa on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The meet kicks off at 4 p.m.

Photo by Katie Winkley