The Sedona Red Rock High School cross country team continued their domination Saturday, Oct. 31, with boys and girls taking home gold in the 3A-West regional meet.
“We ran very well again. I’m glad we got a chance to see this course a couple weeks ago because it helped us. Every time you run a course, you get better,” Sedona Head Coach Harry Schneider said.
For the boys, Sedona ran away from the competition at Estrella Regional Park [5K], scoring 21 points to take home their second straight West region championship.
Senior Jesus Rivera was again the main reason, winning the meet with a 16:20 time and receiving the 3A-West Outstanding Runner of the Year award for his efforts.
Other team results included Wickenburg High School who took second with 45 points, Chino Valley High School was third with 69 points, River Valley High School was fourth with 118 points and Estrella Foothills High School did not qualify.
Standouts for Sedona besides Rivera included senior Garrett Debs who took second overall with a 16:51 time while sophomore teammate Jorge Rivera was fourth overall with a 17:58.
Debs improved dramatically, having run an 18:05 two weeks ago on the same course.
Sophomore Alan Meyers took sixth with an 18:11 time and junior Taylor Weber was eighth with an 18:26 time.
Both Rivera boys, Debs, Meyers and Weber received first team All-Region awards.
The sixth runner for Sedona, sophomore Zac Johnson, finished in 14th place with a 19:21 time.
For the girls, Sedona took home first place with 21 points, far and away better than the next closest team in Wickenburg who finished second with 78.
River Valley came in third with 90 points, Chino Valley was fourth with 91 points and Estrella Foothills wrapped up the top five with 95 points.
“The temperature was a little lower which helped, but our girls were fantastic,” Schneider said.
The Scorpion girls team was stellar Saturday with all seven finishing in the top nine spots.
Senior Sophia Zeno finished second overall with a 20:18 time while freshman Kala Seresun took third with a 20:36.
Junior Hope Goimarac took fourth with a 21:13 time, freshman Taylor Gage was fifth with a 21:15 time and freshman Eva Wilson wrapped up the top five for the Scorpions, taking seventh overall with a 21:42 time.
Other notables included senior Lydia Mosley who finished eighth overall with a 21:58 time and senior Rita Clancy who took ninth with a 22:09 time.
“I’m very happy to see the boys and girls do so well. What a performance by these kids at the region meet,” Schneider said.
State
With the West region championship trophy standing tall in the front office at Sedona, the Scorpions now turn their attentions to the 3A state meet.
On Saturday, Nov. 7, Sedona will travel to Phoenix for the state meet which is scheduled to take place at the Cave Creek Golf Course.
Schneider predicts both boys and girls teams could be top 10 finishers and the girls may even challenge for a top three spot, maybe even a state championship.
“We’re excited for state. It’s finally here. All the kids have worked hard and they are ready to compete,” Schneider said.
Brian Bergner Jr. can be reached at 282-7795, ext. 131, or e-mail bbergner@larsonnewspapers.com
