Valley Sanders senior Nizhoni James constantly improved throughout the cross country season, becoming one of the state's top distance runners.

Competing against Division IV, Section III distance runners, James claimd fourth place, behind St. Michael Lady Cardinals top three finishers at Hidden Cove Golf Course in Holbrook last Friday.

St. Michael senior phenom Ali Upsha was the overall champion, posting an 18:32. Lady Cardinals teammates Amber Woody (2nd, 20:33) and Chiara Holgate (3rd, 20:47) finished ahead of James.

A top all-round athlete, James covered the 5K course in 20:54. James said her season is going well.

"From the beginning of the season to now, I believe that I have improved," James said. "The sectionals meet has proved that I am on the right track, heading into state. Throughout the season, I do feel like I have competed to the best of my abilities. Only a few races I feel as if I could have ran a little harder or finishes with a better tim or place. Overall, I feel great about my accomplishments for this season."

James said the course at Hidden Cove Golf Course was flat with rocks and some grass. She said there was one portion of the course, where runners ran up twice.

"I;ve ran there multiple times throughout my high school career .... so I have gotten familiar with running it," James said. "It is a different course than I am usually used to. Most courses I run are sandy and they have plenty of hills. I feel like I could have had a better time, if I stayed relaxed and if I could have a really good pace that I stuck with throughout the whole course."

A mainstay on Valley's basketball team, James has been a varsity starter for the Lady Pirates since her freshmen season.

"I play multiple positions in basketball and I'm comfortable changing sports when needed," James said. "Last year I decided to try softball for the fist time. I ended up becoming one of the team's pitchers and first baseman."

James said she has set a pair of immediate goals for the state cross country meet.

"My goal at the state meet is to break a 20-minute time and get a new personal record for myself," James said. "Another goal for me would be to finish in the top 10 or even the top five. I want to be proud of myself by finishing my last high school cross country race strong. I do feel like I am ready to compete at the state meet. I may not have any full team this year, but I am ready to compete and make my family and friends proud."

Since her freshmen year, James has qualified for the cross country state meet.

"I feel like I did good all three years that I have gone, but I could have done better," she said. "My freshmen year, I took 18th place. My sophomore year, I took 21st plae. My junior year, I took eighth place."

After graduation in May 2020, James said her plans is continue her education and possibly run cross country or play basketball.

"I am going to collee and major in dental hygiene or physical therapy," James said. "I want to compete in cross country or basketball."

James said she plans on attending Northern Arizona University, although she would not compete in cross country or basketball.

James said she is exploring offers from in and out of state colleges to run cross country or play basketball.

The cross country state championships is scheduled for Saturday at Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix.