XC: Desert Vista girls win Sweepstakes crown at Desert Twilight

October 3, 2015 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Desert Vista's girls cross country team made it three in a row Friday night as champions of the sweepstakes race at the 8th annual Desert Twilight Invite in Casa Grande.totaled 75 points, Air Academy 93 and Xavier Prep 98 in a tight three-team race.

The girls sweepstakes individual title went to repeat champ Air Academy senior Katie Rainsberger with a smoking time of 16 minutes.23.40 seconds. That was better than Arizona junior standout Allie Schadler (Rio Rico), who came in at 16:54.10. Rainsberger's time was almost 18 seconds faster than her winning time last year, a course record.

Other Arizona runners who medaled (top 20) in the sweepstakes race: Xavier's Sarah Carter (3rd) and Jane Miller (9th); Horizon's Megan Mooney (4th); Rio Rico's Samantha Schadler (6th); Gila Ridge's Clara Haynes (7th); Arcadia's Megan Reniewicki (8th); Desert Vista's Crall (10th) and Davis (11th); Ganado's Daangoiina Haven (12th); Chandler's Morgan Foster (13th) and Alexis Nichols (14th); Camp Verde's Alaina Kautz (15th); Deer Valley's Kassidy Deardorff (18th) and Chinle's Nikesha Eagleman (19th).

The boys sweepstakes race title went to Desert Hills (St. George, Utah, who topped last year's champ Desert Vista. Desert Hills total was 85 and Desert Vista finished at 129.

Boys sweepstakes individual champ was junior Daniel Bernal (El Paso Eastwood High), who edged Saguaro senior Tyler Beauchamp was about a second and half behind Bernal for 14th place last year. Other Arizona runners who medaled (top 20 finish): Mesa Mountain View's Mitchell Jacobson (9th) and Eric Simoneau (18th); Buena's Manuel Olivo-Quinones (10th); Desert Vista's DJ Harris (11th); Brophy's Luke Mason (13th); Pinon's Adriano Joe (14th); Perry's Cade Burks (15th) and Anthony Haren (20th); Tuba City's Albert Fuller (16th) and Chinle's Santiago Hardy (18th).

Arizona runners were individual champs in the boys and girls championship race divisions. Catalina Foothills Sam Pershing won the boys champions race (15:53) and Cibola's Monique Jimenez was girls championship champ (18:56).