In two meets over the last five days the Maricopa High School cross country teams got themselves ready for the upcoming sectional championships, but managed a lot more. Several Ram girls’ runners assisted in helping rescue a fallen competitor who might have suffered heat stroke.
At Wednesday’s East Valley Invitational, Rachel Beach, Shiori Ito and Cecily Peters came upon a runner from another school who had been stumbling and falling earlier in the race.
“Two of our girls picked her up and moved her to shade and stayed with her.” said boys head coach Duane Anderson. “The other ran about a half- mile to the finish and got help for the girl. This action probably saved the girl from possible heat stroke. They were all thanked at the awards ceremony by the meet sponsors.”
***ADVERTISEMENT***Saturday both teams ran in the Doug Conley Invitational in Tempe, although very shorthanded due to fall break.
The girls ran in the open division, but with only four runners. Jessica Beach finished 13th in 21:42 on a very hilly course.
The boys, who competed in the Elite Division in which 20 team were invited, had only two runners on hand due to vacation, ineligibility and illness. Chris Lessard finished 15th in 16:59.
At the East Valley Invitational, which is held according to grade level, Jessica Beach won among 10th grade girls with a time of 23:15, while sister Beth was third in 23:52.
The still-shorthanded boys had Matt Taylor place third among 11th graders in 19:26 and John Newman second among 12th-graders with an 18:19 clocking.
The two teams will compete in the Sectional championships in Marana on Oct. 29.
East Valley Invitational Results: medals for Top 10 finishers
9th grade girls
7. Andrea Ibarra 27:00
10. Oivia Murcek 29:39
10th grade girls
1. Jessica Beach 23:15
3. Beth Beach 23:52
6. Laura Hernandez 25:06
10th grade boys
8. Caleb St Galies 21:35
11th grade girls
13. Kristin Lintz 33:13
11th grade boys
3. Matt Taylor 19:26
12th grade girls
9. Rachel Beach 25:17
12th grade boys
2. John Newman 18:19
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