By Brian Bergner Jr.

Larson Newspapers

For only the second time in Sedona Red Rock High history, the Scorpions hosted a track and field meet, and this time, they invited Verde Valley rivals at Camp Verde and Mingus Union High for a little competition in the Sedona Invitational meet March 25.

Hundreds of participants not only from the Verde Valley but from Bourgade Catholic, Scottsdale Christian Academy and Chino Valley High as well, enjoyed the warm weather for an hour or so before cold winds and good ol’ Northern Arizona weather kicked in.

Nevertheless, athletes competed harder than ever, from freshman and sophomore competitions to varsity athletes looking to see where they stood among some of the best.

“If you ask any coach who came, they’ll tell you they liked how we did it. It gives the coach a chance to do the right thing for the kid,” Sedona head coach Harry Schneider said.

Usually varsity sports are all that’s covered on the NEWS’ Sports & Recreation page but printed results of the freshman-sophomore meet are below.

As for the varsity kids, many Verde Valley athletes gave all they had in a test of skill and will at the Sedona Invitational. For Camp Verde, the girls relay team placed third overall with a 12 minutes, 11.8 seconds time.

Senior Cassie Spleiss did quite well in the 100 meter hurdles finishing third overall with a 18.0 time, while senior teammate Liz Hicks finished first in the shot put with a 81-foot 11-inch throw.

In the boys 3200 meter run, Reece Watkins finished third with a 11:45 time, while Aaron Godfrey was right behind him in fourth place with a 12:59.8 time.

“We only had a few at the varsity level competing, but they did well,” Camp Verde head coach Lori Showers said.

On the Mingus side of the field, several Marauder athletes were in top form starting with the girls 4X100 meter relay team who took first with a 53.0 time.

In the 400 meter dash, Sarah Raber was top of her class with a 1:00.20 time, while teammate Amanda Miskiel took first place in the shot put event with a 27-foot 1-inch throw.

Mingus’ Molly Westcott was also in top form in the girls high jump event with a 4-foot 6-inch mark, and in the girls pole vault, Leslie Kinkade finished first with a 9-foot jump.

“Our girls have been really improving. I’m so proud of what we have accomplished so far this season,” Mingus head coach Jared Stone said.

Robert Ortiz of Mingus also finished first in the triple jump event with a 42-foot 3-inch leap.

As for Sedona, the Scorpions recorded 13 first place finishes, tops at the meet.

Top performances include Rita Clancy finishing first in the 100-meter hurdles with a 16.6 time, while Rachel Cook was first in the 100 meter dash with a 13 second time.

Others included Sophia Zeno with a 6:00.30 time in the 1600 meter run, good enough for first place, and Jesus Rivera who finished first overall in the 800 meter run with a 2:00.10 time.

“These kids were spectacular. I just want to thank all the volunteers for a job well done. We couldn’t have done it without them,” Schneider said.

Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com