Tyler Bednar
ASU Student Journalist

Desert Mountain cross country: Young teams look to repeat success at Scottsdale district meet

October 15, 2022 by Tyler Bednar, Arizona State University


Desert Mountain runners pose with medals won at the Chandler Relays on Oct. 14. (Krystal/Amazon Photos)

Tyler Bednar is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Desert Mountain High School for AZPreps365.com

Desert Mountain High School cross-country continues its season at the Scottsdale Unified School District Championships on Oct. 19 at El Dorado Park. The team will compete against three other schools in the district: Arcadia High School, Chaparral High School and Saguaro High School.

The boys and girls cross country teams have had plenty of success at the meet. Both varsity teams took home the district championship last season.

This season, junior Kaia LaHann has emerged as the top runner for the girls. After the loss of two runners early in the season to injury, LaHann has stepped up to the challenge and delivered.

LaHann has been the top finisher for the girls in all races this season. In the team’s last meet, the Desert Twilight Invitational, LaHann finished 12th while setting a personal best 19 minutes, 38.70 seconds in the 5K, which qualified for a medal. Her finish was the 10th fastest 5K in school history.

Desert Mountain cross-country head coach Kevin Kemmerle notes LaHann’s impressive improvements this season.

“She had great workouts this week,” Kemmerle said. “She’s been gaining confidence every week.”

At the district race, she said she hopes to finish even higher. Last season, LaHann finished eighth with a 22:06.40 finish.

“My goal for the district race is to PR again,” LaHann said. “I want both the girls and boys to have a top-three finish at districts.”

Due to the absence of veteran girl runners, more needed to step up. Junior Ella Larsen has done that for the varsity team. Last week at the Desert Twilight Invitational, Larsen finished top 50 and cemented her spot as one of the team’s top runners.

Larsen explains tactics the team uses during races.

“We try to go out really fast the first mile, but we also try to keep the last mile fast too by striding to the end,” Larsen said.

Larsen performed well at the Scottsdale District race last season. She took home ninth overall, finishing only four seconds behind LaHann.

Larsen has specific goals for herself for the district race.

“I’m trying to get to sub 20 (minutes) by the end of the season at least,” Larsen said. “I’ll be happy if I get around 20:30 or 20:10.”

The 1-2 punch of LaHann and Larsen sets the Wolves up for a high finish at the district race, where they look to repeat as champions.

On the other side, senior Brady McCaskill has been the top boys runner for a few seasons. McCaskill finished fourth overall at the Desert Twilight Invitational on Sept. 30 with a 16:15.6 finish, his personal best, which also qualified for a medal.

McCaskill said he was pleased with his performance at the event.

“It was really fun. I felt good,” McCaskill said. “Being up front was definitely a good experience. I think it was probably the best race of my season so far.”

McCaskill explains his strategy to the race.

“Generally, I try to start out with the front pack and hang for as long as possible,” McCaskill said. “I try to make sure I’m not starting out too fast to set myself up for the last mile.”

The Scottsdale District race knows McCaskill well. In last season’s race, McCaskill was the top Desert Mountain runner and finished second overall with a 17:04.30. He expects to win the race and wants the team to place first.

Sophomore Conor McGlynn finished 79th at the Desert Twilight race with a 17:46.6 finish. McGlynn explains his preparation for races is more mental than physical.

“Music, having a positive attitude and socializing with the team are all helpful (in his preparation for races),” McGlynn said.

McGlynn is already prepared for the District race. Last season, he finished 11th with an 18:35.70 finish. He has his hopes set higher.

“This year, I expect to be in the top five,” McGlynn said.

McGlynn said he hopes the boys team can repeat annual success at the district race.

McGlynn explains how he prepares for each race.

“My dad helps me plan it out (what he eats) because he works with cycling athletes,” McGlynn said. “I make sure I pack little snacks that I know I can have like applesauce. I just make sure I’m consistent and staying in shape.”

Both teams have high hopes for the district race. The district race sets Desert Mountain up for the sectional meet that takes place Nov. 2.