The Desert Vista Boys Cross Country team traveled to the 2018 Woodbridge Cross Country Invitational for one of their most competitive meets of the season. For many on the team this is their only time to go out of state for a meet. Also this will be the first time many of the Thunder Varsity runners will compete in a featured race.
The course consisted of a grassy terrain with some dirt and asphalt but had no hills, which created a perfect course for personal records. Also Woodbridge is not the typical 5k high school race; being only 3 miles, the overall times are on average 30-40 seconds faster than a 5k. The weather was also in the favor of racing with it only being in the mid-70s for most of the races.
The Freshmen were the first off the bus to race in competitive competition. They recently lost one of their runners, Ryan Hoyt, due to a toe injury. Despite this fact, the boys went onto compete well. Noah Jodon was first Thunder runner in 6th place overall (16:46), followed closely by Nolan Billeter (16:56), Ethan Bukowski (16:57), Johnathan Estrada (17:06), and Will Perciballi (17:19) to make up the scoring five that took first place overall!
Next up were the Sophomores with a close 2nd-place finish with only Great Oak, a nationally recognized running team, beating them. First for the Thunder was Chris Broze (16:55) in 29th and Jacob Cardon (16:57) not far behind. Following was Makay Blackburn (17:02), Vade Pierce (17:06) and Noah Patch rounding it off in 56th (17:24).
Not far after sunset was the Junior race. The Thunder Boys posted a convincing 64-point score for 1st place. Leading the charge was Nicolo Perciballi (16:26) in 10th and Noah Werbelow (16:27) right behind him. Next up was Demetrius Love (16:29), Nick Basha (16:53) and Mays Jones (16:58). Next year looks promising with these boys finishing on top!
Last in the class races was the Thunder’s most experienced men with almost 4 years of training, the Senior race. In the front was Co-Captain Marshall Smith (16:48) in 23rd place and Ceth Reeves (16:48.5) rounding off that close finish in 25th. Holding up the back was Micah Simpson (17:12) and Nathan Hess (17:59) with his breakout season. Finally in 81st was Morgan Higginbotham (18:12). With these scores the Thunder managed a tight 7th-place finish in the competitive Senior category.
Last but not least, was the Sweepstakes race which is the most featured and exclusive race at Woodbridge. This race has most of the finishers with under 5 minutes a mile for the race which is rare in young men. Just like with Thunder’s top finisher, Lee Nasewytewa (14:25), breaking the School record previously held by Reece Donihi of 14:28. Next up for the Thunder was Travis Kearney (15:02), Sammy Van Alstine (15:25), Pierre Cuyue (15:52) and finally Sophomore Martin Fuller (15:52). This was enough to notch 23rd place in one of the Nation’s most prestigious races.
There was an outstanding amount of sportsmanship and enthusiasm out there from all the teams that participated. Cross Country is a sport that has reached out to many and has brought every team from Utah to Arizona together which is an awesome sight to see. Another big thank you to all the Coaches and Staff that made this meet possible to attend for young men to grow in their running and character!!
Join the Thunder next week when they go to the Doug Conley Invitational. GO THUNDER!