Maricopa XC preps for O’Connor

 

The Maricopa High School cross country teams are preparing for Saturday’s O’Connor Invitational, a 22-team meet hosted by Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Skunk Creek Wash.

Last week, the Rams labored their way through the challenging Desert Twilight XC Festival. More than a dozen runners posted personal-best times in the Queen Creek meet that included 118 schools, 29 clubs and two colleges.

Running the 5K in the Large School Freshman race, Filimon Kednmarey posted the top Maricopa time of the day as he finished ninth in 18:32.6. Junior Tanis Palmer was Maricopa’s top finisher in the men’s varsity race, posting a personal-best time of 19:31.7 in 96th place.

Behind him were senior Jovanni Fontes in 19:46 and junior Maverick Miller in 20:34.6, followed by a string of personal bests from senior Matthew Coles in 20:38.4, junior Syon Cordova in 21:08.9, senior Lance Grit in 21:09.6 and senior Steven Canche in 23:40.8.

Sophomore Alex Blodgett was Maricopa’s top finisher in the men’s open division, setting a personal record in 23:16 to finish 156th. Junior Bobby Coleman also had a personal best with 24:31. Junior Charles Liermann finished in 24:45.9, and senior Nickalas Hardenbergh posted a time of 25:23.6.

Elijah Trast established his best time in the freshman race in 26:32.2.

On the women’s side, most Rams were bringing down their times. Maricopa’s top finisher in the varsity race was senior Anabelle Dayley, 104th in 25:19.6. Senior Frances Trast was 10 runners back with a personal record 26:40.9.

The rest of the Maricopa field also set new times while finishing in a pack just behind Trast. Junior Lauren Grist finished in 26.45. Senior Ebony Griffin ran 26:46.2. Junior Stephanie Vasquez Rocha ran 26:46.9, and senior Ailed Cota Montoya ran 26:48.4.

Rayleigh Double was Maricopa’s sole entry in the freshman race, finishing in 33:53.7.

Maricopa’s last regular-season competition before sectionals will be the Eye of the Tiger Invite Oct. 24 in Marana.

The sectional competition to qualify for state is Nov. 4 in Gilbert.