STATE CROSS COUNTRY RECAP

Led by defending individual state champion, senior Ali Upshaw, the St. Michael Lady Cardinals repeated as the Division IV girl's cross country state champions, while the Page Sand Devils garnered its sixth straight Division III boy's cross country state championship.

Enroute to earning her second straight state championship, Upshaw toured the 5K course at Cave Creek Golf Course in 17:49.

St. Michael completed the meet with 37 points, as the Lady Cardinals placed three runners in the top 6. The Lady Cardinals' fourth and fifth runners crossed the finish line in 15th and 22nd place.

Freshman Amber Woody claimed fourth place, negotiating the course in 20:00. Junior Chiara Holgate turned in a 20:16 for sixth place. Freshman Nizhoniibaa Phillips posted a 21:05 for 15th place. Junior Ashley Philips completed the team scoring in 22nd place, with a 21:25 showing.

St. Michael runners junior Auri Quintana was clocked in 21:42 for 24th place. Senior Cameron Nelson completed the race in 31st place with a 22:09.

The Hopi Bruins settled for Division IV boy's state runner-up, netting 95 points. North Phoenix Prep won the state championship with 55 points.

Freshman Wayland Namingha was Hopi's top finisher in 8th place, with a 16:44 over the 5K course. Junior Tyrall Roland claimed 13th place, posting a 16:58. Sophomore Milson Tessay copped 15th place, turning in 16:59. Senior Shawnanthony Pashana crossed the finish line in 26th place, with a 17:18. Rounding out the team scoring was sophomore Jerren Tenakhongva, who finished 33rd place, when being timed in 17:33.

Hopi's non-scoring finishers were freshman Shereef McKinney (44th, 17:53) and sophomore Ahmon Lomayestewa (46th, 17:57).

Page won the boy's Division III state title with 62 points, well ahead of runner-up Prescott with 140 points and Kayenta Monument Valley with 154 points..

Page's top finisher was junior Trent Holiday, who finished 3rd place, with a 16:13 time. Senior Skyler Sandoval crossed the finish line in 9th place, touring the terrain in 16:35. Junior Rex Martin claimed 13th place with a 16:51 showing. Freshman Quentin Davis completed the race in 20th place with a 17:03. Sophomore Colton Yazzie was 28th place with a 17:23.

Page's two non-scoring finishers were freshman Shayden Begay (71st, 18:15) and freshman Gavyn Begay (124th, 18:56).

Kayenta Monument Valley senior William Wayne was the team's top finisher in 18th place with a 16:59. Sophomore Cayden Smith completed the race in 23rd place, posting a 17:13. Senior Ian Salt crossed the finish line in 31st place, turning in a 17:25. Senior Autry Lomahongva was 39th place with a 17:36. MV's fifth runner was junior Colwyn Nelson with a 18:09.

The Mustangs' two non-scoring finishers were senior Isaiah Whitehorse (80th, 18:19) and sophomore Leithan Stanley (109th, 18:43).

Ganado settled for third place in girl's Division III with 143 points. Prescott won the state championship with 75 points. Salpointe Catholic of Tucson claimed runner-up with 79 points.

Jayla McIntosh was Ganado's lead finisher in 13th place with a 20:14. Whitney James claimed 15th place, posting a 20:17. Marissa Shorty was 35th place (after adjusted place) with a 21:18. Kayla Beck finished 38th place (after adjusted place) with a 21:31. LaSundrai Baldwin finished 42nd (after adjusted place), posting a 21:33.

Two non-scoring Ganado finishers were Marissa Smith (49th, after adjusted place, 21:51) and Shaunda Yazzie (62nd, after adjusted place, 22:13).