The stage was set for fierce competition. Grande Sports World, Casa Grande, Ariz. More than a thousand runners gathered here to compete in the Nike Desert Twilight Cross Country Meet.

Corona Del Sol was one of the schools to participate in the meet. Corona’s boys varsity competed in the Boys Sweepstakes race, while the girls varsity competed in the Girls Championship race.

Everyone ranging from middle school runners to varsity athletes participate at the event. It is considered by many runners their favorite because most of the races take place at night.

The daylong event features 19 races. Schools from all over the United States travel to Arizona to participate in the event. The best teams in Arizona get the opportunity to compete in it.

Schools from Arizona have the opportunity to test themselves against competition outside the state. It also offers major point allocation for future meet qualifications.

The girls finished 21st overall. Some of the girls even obtained personal records. Many of the girls were excited from their performances.

Junior Peyton Burnside finished first for the Aztecs and 44th overall, setting a personal record of 19:58.7 in the Girls Championship race.

“I knew I had to maintain a good pace in order to PR,” said Burnside. “I was pretty happy I could maintain my pace of the first and second mile.”

Sophomore Ashlinn Aguayo said running in the nighttime provided a different experience than other meets. She finished with a time of 20:55.2 and 93rd overall.

“I really liked running in the nighttime and the weather was great, the only thing was that in some spots it was dark, so you have to be careful, but other than that it’s a really good experience to run here at Twilight,” said Aguayo.

Senior Emily Rugg was another runner who obtained a personal record with a time of 21:12.3 and 109th overall.

“I felt so good the entire time. I knew in my head and I believed in myself that I was going to PR,” said Rugg. “I’m so proud of myself. It’s all what you put in. What you put in is what you get out, and just coming down the last 400 meters I knew I was going to PR and I just gave it all I got.”

The boys participated in the premiere race of the day that capped off the event. They finished 27th with a score of 643.

Senior Zachary Johnson finished 68th with a time of 16:03.6. The speed of the competition was something that he found intense.

“They started really fast. I know I was expecting it but it’s always a surprise how fast it goes,” said Johnson.

Senior Dominic Arellano, who ran a time of 16:15.13 and 92nd overall, also expressed how the competition differed in this race.

“It’s nice having all these people out, because there’s never a moment you’re not next to someone. So, it’s really nice to move up and keep up with the next person,” said Arellano.

The Aztecs ran against tough competition considering the magnitude of the meet. They tested their abilities against much more runners than they’re normally accustomed to.

Corona’s next meet will be at the Chandler Relays on Oct.18.