Such has been the sustained excellence of high school cross country in Flagstaff that it almost goes without saying that one or more teams, maybe even three, are expected to contend for state titles.
But we’re going to say it anyway…
This year is no exception.
Flagstaff High’s girls and boys teams, both runners-up in the AIA Div. 2 state meet last November, are back with the core of their squads and surely must be favored to return to the top podium at Cave Creek Golf Course on Nov. 2. But don’t count out Coconino High’s chances of ascending to the podium. Though it’s a rebuilding year, the Panthers have a solid foundation. Coconino begins the season today at the meet at Hopi High.
Same holds in Division 4, as the defending champion Northland Prep High boys team has lost only one of its runners and figures to be the overwhelming favorite to repeat. Basis Flagstaff, also in D4, was hit hard by graduation and is rebuilding. The Northland Prep girls, third last season, return its top four runners.
Individually, Flagstaff’s Alex Bland will be gunning to defend his state title in Division 2, and NPA’s Yohanes Van Meerten, who dominated Division 4 all year but was sick for the state meet and did not run, figures to be the favorite.
The battle for the girls’ D2 individual title could involve several local runners. Last year’s top two finishers, Millennium’s Landen LaBlond and Campo Verde’s Clara Jones, have graduated. That leaves Flagstaff High senior Olivia Baker as the top returning runner from the state meet, while Coconino High senior Mary McGinlay (fifth last year) figures to contend.
But keep an eye on Flag High junior Taylor Biggambler. She was the Eagles’ top runner most of the 2023 season, but was ill at the state meet and finished 18th. Look for Biggambler to return to the form that saw her finish third in the state as a freshman in 2022, helping the Eagles win the state title.
A closer look at the four Flagstaff-area high schools this cross country season, which hits its stride this Saturday with the annual Peaks Invitational at Buffalo Park:
FLAGSTAFF HIGH
Girls: Baker and Biggambler give the Eagles an impressive 1-2 punch up front, but what sets this team apart is its depth. While last year’s champion, Desert Mountain, lost three of its top 5 runners to graduation, Flagstaff has lost none of its top 5. Coming back are Audrey Ketter, Haley Johnson and Miley McQuivey. Coach Trina Painter said that sophomore Naomi Ketter is looking strong in workouts. In fact, the girls team has added even more depth with freshmen Kylyn Taylor and Rylan Swain.
“(They are) two new freshmen that are versatile and athletic,” Painter said. “They play soccer and are very strong and natural runners. They have already made a positive impact on the girls team.”
Taylor, the daughter of NAZ Elite pro marathoner Kellyn Taylor, won the 2022 Arizona Youth Cross Country Championship (Middle School) race while a seventh-grader at NPA.
Boys: On the boys’ side, Flagstaff is equally as strong. The Eagles placed second last year behind Millennium High, but the defending champions graduated all five of its scorers from last year’s state meet. Flagstaff, by contrast, returns its top five.
In addition to state champ, Bland, a junior, the Eagles will be led by senior Cole Troxler (11th in state in 2023), sophomore Jacob Medina (19th), junior Elijah Talkalai (54th), junior Miles Borling (56th) and sophomore Kalell Tsinnijinnie (79th). Painter said newcomers Uuts Masayumptewa and Kenyon Lee will add depth.
One coaching staff note: Painter said Flag High has added NAZ Elite executive director Ben Rosario to its staff.
“He is bringing some new ideas and is a wealth of knowledge that the team will definitely benefit from,” she said.
COCONINO HIGH
Girls: Coconino has four returning runners from last year’s team, which finished sixth in the state last year moving up to D2. Though the Panthers’ No. 2 runner, Sara McCabe, a top 10 state finisher, has graduated, McGinlay is back and coach Shannon Taylor said she has been training well in practice.
McGinlay will be joined by returnees Savanna McKerracher (41st as a freshman), Scarlett Hargan (89th as a freshman), and Iris Taliman (136th as a junior). Saylor Smith, a scoring runner at last year’s state meet, is not running this year, according to Taylor, opting for club soccer.
“We actually have a small girls team this year, about 16,” Taylor said. “But a lot of them are really dedicated.”
Taylor said she has been impressed with two runners up from last year’s junior varsity, Caitlynn Black and Emma Date.
“We have a solid group,” Taylor said. “I tell them, ‘Let’s work on pack running, staying together, working as a team, keep each other accountable.’ My job this year with the girls was getting them to work together.”
Boys: Gone is Nick Wolfe, who finished sixth in the state meet in 2023. But seniors Clayton Rhoton and Laine Davis are back and will lead a team that finished 15th in the state but figures to finish higher this year. Rhoton placed 45th at state and Davis 164th, but both are coming off of impressive middle-distance track seasons last spring.
“The leadership that Clayton and Laine bring is great,” Taylor said. “They are so excited for cross country. They know the routine, the workouts, what targets to be doing. They are showing the younger boys how it is to run as a group, collectively working together.”
Also returning is sophomore Crew Reber (165th at state) and Kevin Ciechoski. In all, Coconino boasts nearly 30 boys on its roster, a record, Taylor reported.
“We have a lot of freshman boys who’ve moved up,” Taylor said. “We also have Robert Moore, who ran track and field last year and now running cross country as a junior. He did well in track (200 meters, 800 meters, 1,600 meters) and he ran the 4×8 at state for us last year.”
NORTHLAND PREP
Girls: New coach Pam White-Hanson inherits a deep team that finished third at state last year. The team’s top four runners return: junior Jaelyn Weiss (11th at state), sophomore Eva Madsen (23rd) and seniors Sarah and Laura Drexler (35th and 44th, respectively).
White-Hanson said that McKenna Marino and Savanna Reyher look to round out the scoring this year. As for the “low stick,” White-Hanson said that both Weiss and Madsen have looked strong in workouts.
A trip back to the podium for NPA will depend on pack running.
“That’s always the goal for any team,” she said of returning to the podium this year. “We definitely have some strong runners, especially with four returning. They’ve got a little more experience. They know the competition and are familiar with.”
Boys: NPA’s boys team is stacked and the prohibitive favorite to repeat as state champions. The only runner to graduate was Jack Flugstad, the No. 2 runner last year who finished sixth at state last year in the absence of Van Meerten. Van Meerten, a sophomore, is back after skipping track at NPA last season. He figures to be among the favorites to win the D4 individual title.
NPA’s strength, though, lies in its depth. Back is last year’s No. 3 runner, Delani Hanson (son of coach Pam), who had an impressive run at state last year to finish 13th. Also stepping up at state last year was Aaron Nichol, who finished 19th as a junior, and Emilio Haubert, 25th as a sophomore.
But wait, there’s more. NPA also boasts returners Miles Underwood (35th as a sophomore) and Harrison Kessenich (52nd as a junior). White-Hanson notes that Sabino Chatter will be a contributor this season.
“We look strong, but, you know, we don’t want to jinx anything,” White-Hanson said. “I come from a college (Adams State, an NCAA Division 2 powerhouse) where we won every year and we were proud of that. That was our goal every year, so I hope to do that here. We have runners step up to the plate and they make a commitment through summers and off -season. They do what’s necessary.”
BASIS FLAGSTAFF
Basis has a new coaching staff this year. Anthony Gunderson is the boys coach, and elite marathoner Diane Nukuri (who’ll be making her pro farewell at the Chicago Marathon in October) will be the girls head coach.
Girls: Basis lost its top two runners to graduation. Returning are juniors Sammy Mullaney, Jasmine Hall (the latter is daughter of elite marathoner Sara and Olympian Ryan) and Olivia LaBenz. Neither Hall nor Mullaney competed in the state meet last year, but both ran well earlier in the season. Newcomers include junior Abigail Papez and junior Arribella Gunderson.
Boys: Basis finished ninth at state last year, and the Yeti return senior Ben Hutchinson (40th), sophomore Miguel Rodriguez-Rosero (46th) and sophomore Everett Evans (60th). Also returning are seniors Josh Nelson, Sam McDowell and Mason Takeuchi. A newcomer is freshman Tyler Montoya.
“Ben Hutchinson has stepped up as a leader this year by motivating fellow athletes, planning long weekend runs outside of practices on the weekends and orchestrating pasta dinners,” said Gunderson, who has anointed Hutchinson team captain.
SCHEDULES (as posted on athletic.net)
Coconino High
Tues, Aug. 27: Rick Baker Hopi High Invite
Sat, Aug 31: The Peaks XC Invite
Sat, Sep 7: Canyon De Chelly Invitational
Sat, Sep 14: Four Corners Invitational-FULL
Fri, Sep 20-Sat, Sep 21: 43rd Annual Woodbridge Cross Country Classic
Fri, Sep 27: Desert Twilight
Fri, Oct 4: Dave Conatser Invitational
Wed, Oct 9: Flagstaff City Meet
Sat, Oct 12: Bradshaw Mountain Invitational
Thu, Oct 24: AIA Sectional
Flagstaff High
Sat, Aug 31: The Peaks XC Invite
Sat, Sep 7: Happy Valley Invitational
Sat, Sep 14: Four Corners Invitational
Tue, Sep 17: Chuck Hardt XC Invitational
Fri, Sep 27: Desert Twilight
Sat, Oct 5: Glendale Showcase
Wed, Oct 9: Flagstaff City Meet
Wed, Oct 16: East Valley XC Invite
Thu, Oct 24: AIA Sectional
Northland Prep
Sat, Aug 31: The Peaks XC Invite
Sat, Sep 7: Happy Valley Invitational
Fri, Sep 13: Ojo Rojo XC Invite
Sat, Sep 21: Paradise Honors Presents The Panther Invitational
Fri, Sep 27: Desert Twilight
Sat, Oct 5: Lake Powell Invitational
Wed, Oct 9: Flagstaff City Meet
Fri, Oct 25: AIA Sectional
Basis Flagstaff
Sat, Aug 31: The Peaks XC Invite
Sat, Sep 7: Western Equinox XC Invite
Sat, Sep 14: Four Corners Invitational
Fri, Sep 20: Ray Wherley Invitational
Fri, Sep 27: Desert Twilight
Wed, Oct 9: Flagstaff City Meet
Fri, Oct 25: AIA Sectional
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