Prep Cross Country Previews
Cibola Raiders
Last year: Boys finished 11th at state; Girls finished 12th at state
Top returners: Boys — Bernie Montoya, sr.; Jose Garcia, sr.; Keanu Nakasawa, jr. Girls — Monica Huston, sr.; Ally Jeffers, jr.; Shannon Norton, jr.; Alexandra Aceves, soph.
Key newcomers: Boys — Alex Marquez, sr.; Jesse Chavez, sr.; Christian Alva, jr. Girls — Yoecelyn Walle, jr.
Coach Kris Norton's comments: “(Montoya and Garcia) have the potential to be the best 1-2 punch we've ever had.”
The lowdown: Now that Montoya, the reigning state champion, and Huston, who finished seventh, are seniors, Norton must start preparing to bridge to the future, as well. However, he feels that with constant fresh talent pumping into his program, the Raiders will be strong in the future as well as the present. With top-level runners like Montoya, Garcia, Huston and Jeffers, the Raiders should be able to compete as one of the top 10 — or top five — teams in the state.
Kofa Kings
Last year: Boys did not make state; Girls finished 20th at state
Top returners: Boys — Roberto Salazar, jr.; Clifton Ross, jr.; Albert Aguilar, sr. Girls — Abigail Rosales, jr.; Alexis Jubera, sr.; Ruth Hanson, sr.
Key newcomers: Coach Tom Spanton said it's too early to tell.
Coach Tom Spanton's comments: “We haven't run a lot but I was expecting 25-30 kids and we ended up with 60 kids. But I guess that's a good problem to have and hope that'll bring some competition.”
The lowdown: It may be difficult for the girls to duplicate their 20th-place finish, considering they lost their top three runners from their state meet team. However, with Rosales, Jubera and Hanson back, they still have a chance to once again make the state meet. Spanton said that his hope for the season is to bring the boys team — as well as the girls — to the state meet.
Gila Ridge Hawks
Last year: Boys finished 24th at state; Girls finished 18th at state
Top returners: Boys — Jonathan VanDeberg, jr.; Justin Ramirez, jr.; Michael Morrisey, sr. Girls — Madison Haynes, jr.; Melia Harman, sr.; Candra Land, sr.
Key newcomers: Boys — Ryan Hinrichs, sr. Girls — Camille Ochoa, soph.; Malibu Walter, soph.
Coach Laurel Jordan's comments: “The kids are devoted, they practiced all summer. We've done the mountain a couple of times.”
The lowdown: The girls bring back their top runner by returning Haynes, who finished in 18th place in the 2011 Division II state meet. After finishing in 20:05.40, she has the potential to finish her junior year with a sub-20 time and move into the top 10 in the state. With Harman, who finished 95th, and Land, who finished 110th, the Hawks bring back enough players to once again finish in the top 20 in the state.
San Luis Sidewinders
Last year: Did not make state
Top returners: Boys — Isaac Molina, soph.
Key newcomers: Girls — Coral Alonso, soph.
Coach Justin Anderson's comments: “I always expect the best out of our kids, but with the heat and the extenuating circumstances, it's been hard to train.”
The lowdown: As of last week, the Sidewinders have only been able to go for a run outside once, so Anderson said it's tough to tell who's going to emerge as the top runners. Instead of braving the unforgiving sun, the Sidewinders have been running the outside of the volleyball court in the gymnasium. Anderson said he expects to have 20-25 boys — compared with only around eight girls.
Yuma High Criminals
Last year: Did not make state
Top returners: Boys — Chris Carter, sr.; David Medina, jr.; Filomeno Munoz, jr. Girls — Gabby Ruiz, sr.
Key newcomers: Boys — Richard Diaz, sr. Girls — Nathalie Barraza, fresh.; Diana Mendez-Santos, jr.
Coach Kyle Hills' comments: “The kids are putting forth a great effort. Hopefully we'll have something to contend with this season.”
The lowdown: After coaching in Pennsylvania, Hills takes over for the Criminals and, while acknowledging it's most likely a rebuilding year, he likes what he sees from the team so far. Ruiz returns and could be the girls' No. 1 runner and he expects good things out of Barraza, too. On the boys side, Carter will most likely be the No. 1, with Diaz potentially as a No. 2.
Yuma Catholic Shamrocks
Last year: Did not make state
Top returners: Boys — Becket Edwards, soph.; Jaime Casillas, jr. Girls — Adriana Solorzano, jr.; Patricia Scholle, jr.; Louise Scholle, jr.
Key newcomers: Girls — Sydney Compton, jr.; Loretta Peffers, soph.
Coach Ralph Farr's comments: “This probably is the best girls team I've had in three years, minimum.”
The lowdown: Edwards spent most of his freshman season as the Shamrocks' No. 2 runner and will likely now move up to be their top runner. On the girls side, after nearly not having enough to have a varsity team, Farr feels that this Shamrocks team has a chance to make the state meet.
— Capsules by Jesse Severson
