DIVISION II: CROSS COUNTRY

Saturday, Nov. 8

Phoenix Cave Creek Golf Course

Tucson Salpointe senior Nathan Thomas somehow put his pain aside to run a 15:53 to  win the Division II state championship Saturday morning. Thomas used the final 800 meters to turn back Scottsdale Saguaro senior Alex Stevens (15:57).

"Over the last 800 I remembered everything I had done over the last four years to get here," explained Thomas. "I just dealt with the pain and fought through it.

"I wasn't the fastest freshman and I worked hard to get here."

Yuma Gila Ridge won the boy's team championship (99), followed by Phoenix Greenway (124) and Phoenix Shadow Mountain (166).

Canyon del Oro senior sensation Bridgette Doucet was way out in front of the field with a time of 18:07 to win the girl's championship.

Doucet's story has become familiar with race fans and she served as an example to all champions as she went to get water for her competitors and offer aide and encouragement as they crossed the finish line behind her.

"The girls I ran with are just amazing," said Doucet. "Racing with them just makes me happy. I thank God for giving me this opportunity."

The girl's team title went to Catalina Foothills with a score of 84. Flagstaff (96) took second and Casa Grande Vista Grande (120) took third.

"We have a lot of seniors on this team but we also have three new runners," said Catalina Foothills head coach Mike Smith. "The three runners have never run cross country before."