Jenna Ortiz
ASU Student Journalist

Scottsdale Prep getting closer to last year’s marks

September 20, 2018 by Jenna Ortiz, Arizona State University


Sophie Hallam with a strong finish for Scottsdale Prep. (Photo by Jenna Ortiz/AZPreps365)

The Valley Christian Invitational was a literal breath of fresh air Thursday for Scottsdale Prep compared to its last meet.

McKenna Lane said, “[Our last meet in] Flagstaff was tough because of altitude and they were doing burns, so the air quality was rough.”

This meet felt better than previous races with the team fresh off a speed workout Tuesday. Coach Justin Lane hopes the results from their hard work will kick in the next few weeks until sectionals at the end of October.

Scottsdale Prep was motivated to keep up with Valley Lutheran, a school with similar times. Lane finished first for the Spartans and before the Flames speedy triplets.

Sophie Hallam and Rachel Moss followed Lane for Scottsdale Prep.

Moss said, “At the start I tapped [Hallam]. I was like, ‘I see [Valley Lutheran]’ but then we never caught up to them.”

 Neitehr were down because they trust their program.

“If we beat them now, we’ll get more comfortable.” Moss said, “Right now we’re striving to get closer and closer to them where we can off set them or beat all of them.”

The program's focus is to close the gap from last year’s results around the same time. Lane said the next meet, the Nike Desert Twilight XC Festival, is where he’ll decide if he needs to change the training to improve more.

Next week’s meet is a favorite among the team, with a rave and fireworks going off before each race at night.

The party starts for the Spartans Friday at the Grande Sports Complex.