CROSS COUNTRY: Ana Alvarez leads Salpointe to early victory

September 2, 2015 by Andy Morales, AZPreps365


Salpointe sophomore Ana Alvarez
(Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

Girl's Cross Country (Arthur Pack 5K Course) Salpointe 25, Canyon del Oro 58, Mountain View 79, Vista Grande 84, Pusch Ridge 133, Sabino 153

Tucson Salpointe Catholic sophomore Ana Alvarez was the sixth-best runner for the Lancers last year, her first year ever running cross country, but that has all changed. Alvarez ran a 19:05.00 to help lead her team to an early victory Wednesday at the Arthur Pack course in Marana.

This was the first time she has officially posted a time below 20 minutes in a 5K event. Her previous best time was 20:35.9 she earned last November during sectionals. In fact, her time during this meet may be one of the best ever posted by a Salpointe runner.

Her sophomore teammate Jacque Dinauer came in one second behind at 19:06.00 making her time also impressive. Casa Grande Vista Grande standout Rihanna Teggant came in third with a time of 20:33.00.

"This is incredible. I'm still trying to process this," Alvarez said. "I proved to myself I can accomplish more than I thought.  I didn't even know I won when I crossed the line. I'm also happy for my team!"

The top runner for Marana Mountain View was Delany Vaughn (6th, 22:25.00). The top finisher for Oro Valley Canyon del Oro was Katherine Bruno (7th, 23:03). The best for Oro Valley Pusch Ridge was Hope Powers (12th, 23:39). The top runner for Tucson Sabino was Jenna Chabot (17th, 24:36.70).