It was almost a carbon copy individually on Saturday from last week when it came down to top performers at the Epic Tourneys Western Equinox Cross Country Invite at Freestone Park. Almost.

Desert Vista's Lauren Ping repeated her runaway victory from last week at the Chandler Invitational. Ping's finish Saturday was 17 minutes, 01.8 seconds followed by teammate Katie Sigerud (17:43.4). Ping's domination of Arizona opponents has become common place for the accomplished sophomore. 

In boys competition, however, Prescott senior Aiden McCarter denied Casteel's Dayton Carlson of a second consecutive meet-best time. McCarter took six seconds off the time the day's leader to that point, Carlson, posted in the first session. McCarter's time of the day was 15:21.4.

Saturday's meet was McCarter's first invitational this season. He competed in the late session (last of three on the day) that looked to be Carlson's again. McCarter finished in the top 10 of every invitational he competed in last season. He helped Prescott to a runner-up finish last year in the Division III state meet, but on state meet day last year took ill in the middle of the race and did not finish.. 

"Last year it was kind of sad," Prescott coach Jeff Chandler said. "He didn't eat or drink before the meet started. He passed out about halfway through. They had to take him off the course in a golf cart.

"We're calling this his revenge year. He didn't run cross country as a freshman or sophomore. So last year was his first year. He trained incredibly hard this summer. Today he pretty much ran by himself. It was a great start to the season for him."

Chandler said McCarter's goal is to break the school record, which he nearly did on Saturday. The school record is 15:19.

Carlson posted the best mark in Saturday's first session (15:27.5) to edge Brophy Prep's Xander Black (15:29.1). Last week at the Chandler Invitational Carlson clocked in at 15:26.0. He rarely bested the 16-minute mark last year. His time at the D-II state meet last November was 16:31. His results to date.....

"I didn't expect to do as well as I have," Carlson said. "My best time last year was at the end of the year. Not close to what I've run so far. I'm just glad we're able to compete and have a season after we didn't have track last year."

Casteel's Dayton Carlson cooled down after posting top time in his session at Western Equinox Invite.(Azpreps365 photo).

Xander Black's consolation to finishing behind Carlson was leading Brophy to the Session I Big-School Varsity team title (D-I and D-II schools). Brophy totaled 47 points to runner-up Highland's 58. Red Mountain was third (74) followed by Gilbert (108) and Campo Verde (131). Brophy placed three of its runners in the top 10 - Black, Charlie Fallon (sixth) and Jackson Moran (seventh). Red Mountain brought the best pack mentality -- a 33 second spread 1 through 5 finishers. brophy

Highland's girls garnered Session I Big School Varsity champs. The Hawks totaled 48 points to best Ping and Desert Vista (53) for the top spot. Casteel (117) was third, Chandler (129) fourth and Xavier Prep (131) fifth. Highland placed two runners in the top 10 - Kayla Case (third) and Emma Baugh (ninth). The top trio of the second 10 - Emma Finchem (11th), Sophie Mann (12th) and Marina Dear (13th) defrayed Desert Vista's 1-2 finish. It's sixth and seventh runners were 15th and 16th.

Top-10 times at Western Equinox regardless of school size or session:

GIRLS
1. Ping, 17:01.8. 2.Sigerud, Desert Vista 17:43.4. 3. Kayla Case, Highland 18:14.0. 4. Taylor Jacobs, Red Mountain 18:47.2. 5. Sophia Noriega, Chandler 18:48.2. 6. Kyah Zurek, Casteel 18:49.7. 7. Kyla Wild, Salpointe 19:03.5. 8. Sophia Hackett, Chandler 19:06.8.  9. Landen Leblond, Millennium 19:09.8. 10. Taylor Lovell, Perry 19:10.7. 

BOYS

1. McCarter, Prescott 15:21.4. 2. Carlson, Casteel 15:27.5. 3. Black, Brophy 15:29.1. 4. Randy Espinoza, Deer Valley 15:44.7. 5. Javier Garcia, Gilbert 15:49.8. 6. Elijah Poelman, Highland 15:51.7. 7. Terrence Keyes, Gilbert 15:54.3. 8. Charlie Fallon, Brophy 16:04.2. 9. Jon Barney, Veritas Prep 16:09.6. 10. Austin Clayton, Mtn. Ridge 16:12.9.

For complete meet results, team and indvidual, go to http://wingfootfinish.com/.