Even with the top seven varsity runners resting, the Desert Vista boys finished eighth out of 31 schools at the 23rd annual Ojo Rojo Lions Invitational in Chandler on Saturday, Sept. 24.
Andrew Hermanski led the DV runners, finishing the 3.15-mile Tumbleweed Park course in 17 minutes, 10 seconds. Austin Tielke was second in 17:28, followed by Kevin Estrada (17:32), Jacob Walimaa (17:37), Ryan Husser (17:39), Austin Aguinaga (18:01) and Dylan Smith (18:01). DV’s five scorers finished in the top 61 out of 212 runners. Mesa Mountain View edged Gilbert Highland for the team title, but DV will be back at full strength for the Desert Twilight Cross Country Festival Friday, Sept. 30 at TokaSticks Golf Course.
Desert Vista’s Troy Giordano (17:39) earned a plaque for winning the junior varsity race. Alec Hoyt was runner-up and Spencer Clason gave the Thunder three runners in the top five. Mitchell Bogushefsky (11th) and Alex Aguinaga (12th) medaled as well.
Kyle Havriliak was third and Zever McGary fourth in the freshman run. Josh Geiger (12th), Duncan Merrill (15th), Matt Beeks (19th), Brian Ingersoll(24th), and Jackson Blue (29th) earned ribbons for finishing in the top 30.