Schadler sensational in record-setting run

By Erik Boal, DyeStatCAL Editor

Give the meet directors for the Arizona Interscholastic Association state championships credit.

They certainly understand what it means to have a flair for the dramatic.

On a historic day at Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix, the schedule was set up to have the Division 3 girls race conclude the meet, meaning all eyes would be on Rio Rico junior Allie Schadler and her pursuit of the meet record.

Schadler didn’t disappoint, covering the 5-kilometer course in 17:04.48, producing a significant gap between herself and last year’s record run of 17:25.79 by former Desert Vista standout and Colorado freshman Dani Jones.

“I can definitely tell you that going into the race, it was just my goal to run for my team and to win as a team. I wasn’t really thinking about the course record,” said Schadler, who captured her third consecutive state title.

“But throughout the race, I kept hearing people say ‘You can get it, you can get it,’ so I guess I just kind of dug down and I tried my best. I was really tired at the end, but I’m really happy with how it came out.”

Schadler ran 18:14.29 at last year’s state final to help Rio Rico finish fifth after leading the Hawks to a championship as a freshman. Her record performance, combined with a third-place finish from her freshman sister Samantha Schadler in 18:45.50, helped Rio Rico improve to third with 115 points behind back-to-back champion Page (64) and runner-up Window Rock (110).

“We definitely know whenever we come to a meet we have a job to do and this meet we wanted to come here and win,” Allie Schadler said. “We didn’t get that, but we’re just really happy because we all tried our best and that definitely pushed me to my fullest potential, so I’m really happy to have them.”

Schadler ran 16:47.70 to win the Division 3 Section 3 championship 5-kilometer race Oct. 31 in Marana, giving her increased confidence after running 17:15 in another solo effort Oct. 24 at the Mt. SAC Invitational, the second-fastest time on the 2.93-mile course at the two-day meet in California.

“I wasn’t looking for a PR last week, just to run and win, and qualify for state as a team,” Schadler said. “It boosted my confidence a lot and helped me going into this race. Just overall, it’s a great feeling knowing I’m on the right track.”

Sprint power Chandler goes the distance

After having its run of nine consecutive girls state track and field titles halted in May, Chandler celebrated its first Division 1 cross country crown, relying on the addition of freshmen Morgan Foster, Mihalja Milovanovic, Becca Taylor and Netawn Marsoobian to its lineup to hold off nine-time winner Xavier College Prep and two-time defending champion Desert Vista.

Led by senior Alexis Nichols in fifth place in 18:35.60, Chandler had four athletes in the top 10 and all five scoring runners in the top 20 to prevail 46-51 over Xavier College Prep, with Desert Vista finishing third with 56.

Foster was sixth in 18:41, sophomore Ava Hamilton placed eighth in 18:56.60 and Milovanovic finished ninth in 18:59.70 for Chandler, which improved from 10th at last year's state final.

Sarah Carter, Xavier’s seventh runner at last year’s state final and 57^th overall, continued her impressive junior season by winning in 18:08.60, the No. 13 mark all-time on the Cave Creek course.

The Gators supported Carter with three additional runners placing in the top 11, but Xavier couldn’t overcome its No. 5 finisher placing 30th. Xavier ran the No. 4 team time in meet history, Chandler was No. 5 and Desert Vista No. 7, all three teams under 95 minutes.

Desert Vista junior Emily Crall was second in 18:17.20, but despite the Thunder placing six runners in the top 20, it wasn’t enough to secure a third straight title. Junior Baylee Jones, third last season, was in the lead pack with Carter, Crall and Sandra Day O’Connor sophomore Jesselyn Bries (18:24) through the 2-mile mark, but struggled in the final kilometer with fatigue and finished 17^th.

Desert Vista completes run to repeat

For the first time all season, Desert Vista put its strongest lineup on the line and the Thunder’s depth was instrumental in producing one of the most impressive performances by a boys team in meet history.

Senior DJ Harris won the individual title in 15:50.30 and Desert Vista won its second straight championship and third in four years with a 43-124 victory over Brophy College Prep.

Xavier Esparza (16:08.50) was fifth and Habtamu Cheney (16:15.80) took eighth, with Chris D’Angelo (16:26.80) and Reece Donihi (16:30.10) finishing 15^th and 16^th for Desert Vista, which posted an 81:11 team time, No. 2 in meet history, trailing only Corona del Sol’s 79:50 effort in 2013.

Desert Vista, which captured its seventh title since 2002, improved a full minute from last year’s championship effort.

Hopi’s marathon streak continues

With a 59-129 victory over Many Farms in the Division 4 boys final, Hopi won its 26^th consecutive state title, extending the longest state championship streak in the country.

Hopi sophomore Diome Talaswaima (16:34) finished second behind Many Farms senior Zhariff Lee (16:33.70) to lead five runners in the top 25 for the Bruins, who have won six titles in a row in Division 4.

Hopi has also won six championships in the Division 3A Conference, in addition to 14 titles in the Division 1A/2A Conference, all under coach Rick Baker.

Smith’s star continues to rise

Northland Prep sophomore Maya Smith has raced a limited schedule this year as a result of recovering from early season injuries, but she shined again in the Division 4 girls final, repeating as champion in 18:20.40.

Smith, who won last season in 19:24.93, set the division record and improved to 18^th all-time on the Cave Creek course.

After leading Northland Prep to its first state team title last season, Smith and her teammates came up just short in pursuit of a repeat. Scottsdale Prep, runner-up last year, captured its first championship with a 64-74 victory over Northland Prep.

Seniors Haley Everroad (19:44.70) and Josee Jacobellis (20:40.60) were third and sixth, with freshman Alysa Aurigemma fourth in 20:17.30 for Scottsdale Prep, which rebounded following a 37-139 setback to Northland Prep last season.

New Page, same success

For the second year in a row, Page swept the Division 3 boys and girls state titles, the only school in the state to capture back-to-back championships in both genders.

Despite Chinle junior Santiago Hardy winning in 15:58.50, Page held off the improved Wildcats for the second year in a row with a 61-65 victory in the boys race, setting the stage for the girls to repeat with their victory over Window Rock. Hardy improved from a 25^th-place finish last season in 17:25.

Both teams had three runners place in the top eight. The Sand Devils, who captured their 13^th boys state title overall, were led by Justin Billy (16:44.60) in fifth, with Allen Fowler and Dorian Daw placing seventh and eighth in identical marks of 16:47.4.

Page, which secured its fifth girls title in seven years and 11^th overall, was led by sisters Lara and Mariah Yazzie, along with senior Shayla Tate. Lara Yazzie, a senior, was sixth in 19:39, Tate finished seventh in 20:01.70 and Mariah Yazzie, a junior, placed eighth in 20:07.80.

Flagstaff flying high

The Flagstaff High program, which benefits from training at 7,000 feet altitude, ascended to a new level of success with its sweep of both Division 2 boys and girls titles.

Led by senior Courtney Lewis winning the individual title in 18:36.10, the Eagles soared to a fourth girls championship in five years and 12^th overall with a 59-156 victory over Sunrise Mountain.

Flagstaff added a first boys title, defeating reigning champion Gila Ridge 68-101. Rhen Davis (16:33.60) was seventh and Davis Boggess (16:39.90) placed ninth to lead the Eagles.

Dynamic debut

Apollo senior Diego Lopez made his first race on the Cave Creek course a memorable one by winning the Division 2 state title in 16:14.20, holding off an impressive surge in the final 400 meters from Gila Ridge senior Aldo Marquez (16:16.60).

Inspired by the attendance of his mother, Yolanda, for the first time this season, Lopez followed his three-second victory over Marquez in the Division 2 Section 4 championship with another thrilling finish to secure Apollo’s first individual state championship since 1997.