A handful of Saturday's at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler the last several Septembers have been good times for cross country stallion Eduardo Roa.

Roa, a McClintock High senior, becomes visible at or near the front of the finish line at invitationals hosted by Chandler High -- the Chandler Invitational and Ojo Rojo. Two weeks apart in September and run in different formats, Roa shines from the opening gun to his energized finishes. 

"I enjoy running there," Roa said. "My goal each time is to improve my time. I want to finish in under 16 minutes this time."

This time is Saturday Sept. 24 at the 23rd Ojo Rojo. Roa is the defending boys champion. To reach his goal he needs to shave two seconds off his winning time last year of 16 minutes, 1 second. Two weeks ago he won the senior race at the Chandler Invitational, turning the tables on one of his main competitors, Maricopa's Chris Lessard. Lessard finished first in the junior race in 2010. Roa was second.

McClintock boys cross country coach Jeff Dodge knew 2011 would be a different year for his standout. Older brother, Carlos, his mentor and a McClintock grad himself, runs at Mesa Community College.

"This season Eduardo trains by himself," Dodge said of McClintock's record holder for the best time at a state meet. "He's stepped up to the challenge not having Carlos around during the season or older kids to run with. It really isn't a surprise he's doing well. It was a chance for him to grow. He's had to rely on himself. He's done very well adjusting to that. His ultimate goal is to be a state champion."

Saturday will be Eduardo Roa's third time racing in the Ojo Rojo. McClintock did not compete in the Ojo Rojo in Roa's freshman year. Eduardo's body of work at the Ojo Rojo began with a 13th-place finish as a sophomore, two seconds behind brother, Carlos, who was 12th. Last year, Eduardo won. In three tries at the Chandler Invitational, Eduardo has finished third in the freshman race in 2008, second in the junior race (2010) and first two weeks ago in the senior race.

As was the case two weeks ago, Eduardo Roa won't have time to stick around and personally receive a plaque or medal for his Ojo Rojo finish if his effort matches those of the past. Carlos Roa represented Eduardo at the Chandler Invitational awards ceremony.

That's because running mid-morning Saturday invitationals conflicts with Saturday school that Roa attends. He's accumulating college credits to get a head start on the next level while still at McClintock.

"I have to leave after I run those races to not miss much class," Roa said. "I want those early college credits, and Saturday classes give me that chance."

Eduardo Roa's success at Tumbleweed Park is fulfilling. But those triumphs fall short of what he hopes to accomplish the first week of November at state in Cave Creek. He finished fifth at state in Division II last year behind four seniors. One of his top competitors this time around will be that man who is always looming -- Lessard. Lessard and Maricopa will compete in Division II this year. 

"Winning state is a big thing," Eduardo Roa said. "There's still a lot of competition. You have to be at your best. I feel good, and I'm healthy. I want to stay that way." 

NOTES: Race times for the 23rd Ojo Rojo begins with freshman boys and girls at 8:20 a.m.. The varsity girls race at 9 and varsity boys at 9:30. Junior varsity boys race begins at 10:10 and JV girls at 10:11. Thirty-four schools are entered for the traditonally scored meet. They are: Alhambra, Basha, Fairfax, Boulder Creek, Brophy, Campo Verde, Canyon del Oro, Centennial, Chandler, Chino Valley, Corona del Sol, Desert Vista, Dobson, Gilbert, Hamilton, Highland, Horizon, Horizon Honors, Ironwood Ridge, La Joya, Marana Mountain View, Maricopa, McClintock, Mesa Mountain View, Notre Dame, Perry, Pueblo, Queen Creek, Red Mountain, Seton Catholic, Skyline, Tolleson and Westwood.