[This article is courtesy of Senior Co-Captain Clark Scalia]
The ever-present depth of the Desert Vista Boys Cross Country team is something most other high school programs in Arizona can only dream about. Year after year, thanks to the quality of the DVCC Junior Varsity squad, one could argue that the Thunder are capable of running two top-ten squads at the D1 State Meet. Nearly every Thunder Runner on the JV team could be running Varsity for any other D1 program in the state. Instead, these young men have chosen to show up every morning at 5am and push the Varsity runners week after week, day after day, mile after mile, with the goal of bringing out the best in the Program.
Desert Vista once again called upon that depth as it made the trip to the Regional Meet at Crossroads Park in Gilbert, AZ to try and earn a trip back to the State Cross Country Meet.
The Regional Meet is held at the same course as the Titan Invitational, a course known for its deceptively steep hills and a finish that some would describe as evil (the last 100 meters are all uphill). Adding to the challenge was the 90-degree temperature typical of our late summer/early fall season here in Arizona.
Coach Chris Hanson was able to make the strategic decision to rest the DVCC Varsity and instead have his talented Junior Varsity squad toe the line in an attempt to qualify Desert Vista for the State Meet.
The Thunder JV squad showed up to compete, taking first place with an extremely low team score of 36 points. Leading off for Desert Vista was junior Reece Donihi in first place with an outstanding time of 16:17. Following Donihi was junior Nick Thatcher, who has made significant strides during the season to climb into the top seven, in 5th place (16:32). After Thatcher was yet another junior, D’Angelo Piasecki (16:42) in 7th and sophomore Travis Kearney close behind in 10th (16:46). To round out the top seven was junior Aksel Laudon in 13th (16:51), junior Bryce Schmisseur in 19th (17:05), and junior J Iannone in 17th (17:21). The Thunder had a dominating performance at the meet, as five DVCC runners finished within the top fourteen places in the race.
Desert Vista certainly made its case for why the program is a top contender for this year’s state title. The boys put on display the firepower present within the team and how five months of grueling training is paying off. This training is the key to the success of the program as it makes the whole team mentally tougher and prepares them for the grind that is the five kilometer race. The team will certainly draw on this mental toughness during the state meet being held at the Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix, AZ on Saturday, November 5th.
Be sure to come out and support the well-rested Thunder Varsity. The start time for the girl’s race is 8:55am and the boys race begins at 9:45am.
As always, a thank you is in order of the coaches, boosters, and parents who allow Desert Vista to continue its success as a team. We will never be able to fully comprehend the sacrifices that all of you make for the team. We hope to see all of you at the State Meet this Saturday to come and support both the girls’ and boys’ teams.
Go Thunder!!!!