Page Sand Devils dominate Canyon de Chelly Cross-Country Invite

 

By Oree Foster

Az. Preps 365 Staff Writer

CHINLE - Page utilized a strong performance from individual champion senior Bowen Martin to easily capture the boy's team title at the Canyon de Chelly Cross-Country Invitational, hosted by the Chinle Wildcats.

Page chalked up 27 points to take home the team championship. Navajo Pine (New Mexico) settled for runners-up, totaling 64 points, followed in third place by host Chinle with 96 points.

Schools recording a team score included Winslow (118), Many Farms (120), Coconino (151), Monument Valley (174), Ganado (182) and Pinon (188).

First-year Page head coach Tim Martin said the championship was a team effort.

"The guys turned in a solid performance," Martin said. "We placed our top five scoring runners in the top nine slots. We had good practice. The guys have been working hard. The hard work is paying off. It's early in the season and we're looking for improvement when we race in post-season."

Tim Martin, a former Northern Arizona University cross-country / track All-American, replaced MacArthur Lane, who guided Page to three straight cross-country state championships. Tim Martin hopes to coach Page to its fourth straight team title on November 10.

Bowen Martin, son of Page head coach Tim Martin, crossed the finish line, posting a 16:46 over a 5,000-meter coruse.

"Bowen ran a good race, the elder Martin said. "In fact all our runners ran a good race. The guys were focused. All the hard work is paying off."

Sand Devil teammate Morgan Fowler claimed runner-up, clocking a 16:50. Page harriers finishing seventh, eighth and ninth places respectively were Skyler Sandoval (17:30), Trent Holiday (17:32) and Lance Harris (17:37).

"Our race strategy was to race consrvatively the first-half of the race and pick it up the second half of the race," Tim Martin said. "After the half way mark of the race, the guys raced hard. The guys did exactly what our plan was. It was fun to watch. The guys ran a smart race."

Bowen Martin and the Sand Devil team are both undefeated in this young season. Bowen Martin and the Sand Devils have each captured three championships at Pizza Edge Twilight Invitational, hosted by Monument Valley High School in Kayenta and Peaks Invitational in Flagstaff. They both added its third title at the Canyon de Chelly Invitational, hosted by Chinle High School.

Page is planning to race at the Ojo Rojo Cross-Country Invitational in Chandler, Arizona this Saturday. After taking a week off from racing, the Sand Devils are competing in the prestigious Desert Twilight Cross-Country Invitational in Casa Grande, Arizona. The Desert Twilight is expected to draw schools from the Four Corners region, including Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. Other states from throughout the U.S. will also be represented.

Chinle senior Alisia Honyumptewa nailed down her second first-place finish of the season, crossing the finish line with a 19:21 time.

Chinle girl's head coach Bea Begay said her prize runner, Honyumptewa raced well on her home course.

"It's always good to win first place on your home course," Begay said. "Alisia has raced well in her first three meets. She will improve as the season progresses."

Finishing runners-up was Pinon senior Precious Robinson, who was clocked in 20:07.

Chinle captured the girl's team championship, netting 61 points, eight points ahead of runners-up Coconino, who tallied 69 points. Girl's team scores included Ganado (82), Page (90), Tuba City (98), Winslow (177), Pinon (197), Holbrook (202) and Monument Valley (246).

Girl's team champion Chinle placed four runners in the top 11 slots. It's fifth runner finished 36th place. Lady Wildcat harriers included Mariah Bahe (4th, 21:19), Quintrelle Curley (9th, 22:11), Nevaeh Scott (11th, 22:22) and Delt' ee baa Nacona (36th, 25:18).

"I have runners who are experienced and new runners competing at the varsity level," Begay said. "We're taking one meet at a time. The girls are building confidence and the girls are improving. It's early in the season. The girl's are closing their pack time."

In its firs three meets this season, Chinle has garnered a pair of first place victories at Hopi Invitational and its invite. The Lady Wildcats finished third place at the Peaks Invitational.

Chinle will race at the Shiprock (New Mexico) Chieftain Invitational this Saturday.