One for the Other Thumb!!!!!
On Saturday Nov 10th, 2018, the Desert Vista Boys Cross Country squad grabbed its fifth consecutive Arizona State D1 Cross Country Championship and tenth State Title overall making them one of the most dominant teams in Arizona state history. The Thunder were the top team across all divisions and set a State Meet scoring record in the process, breaking the old record of 32 points in edging out Highland High School in a very close matchup, 31 to 41.
Junior
Sammy Van Alstine is the
2018 Arizona D1 Boys State Champion, winning the race in 16:03. He joins fellow Thunder runners
DJ Harris (2015),
Matt Boughton (2006, 2007) and
Garett Kelly (2005) as Arizona D1 Boys State Champions. He earned a spot on this year's 1st-Team All-State squad. This was his second State Meet, with his 6th-place finish last year also earning him 1st-Team All-State honors. Sammy was a member of the Sons of Thunder this season and was also medalist in the Varsity Race at the Doug Conley Invitational.
Following Sammy was senior Co-Captain
Lee Nasewytewa in 3rd place with a time of 16:09, earning a spot on this year's 1st-Team All-State squad. This was his first State Meet appearance. Lee holds the Desert Vista school record in both the 3-mile and the 5k; this season, he ran a blazing 14:25 (3-mile) at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a scorching 15:15 (5k) at Desert Twilight. Lee became a two-time member of the Sons of Thunder this season and was medalist in the Varsity Race at the Tempe City Meet.
Right behind Lee was senior
Travis Kearny in 4th place with a time of 16:08, beating out another runner by fractions of a second and earning a spot on this year's 1st-Team All-State squad. This was his first State Meet appearance. Travis had a tremendous season and ran personal bests of 16:03 at Desert Twilight and 15:02 (3-mile) at Woodbridge. Travis entered distinguished company this season when he became a three-time member of the Sons of Thunder.
The next runner across the line was senior
Josh Lowry in 7th place with a time of 16:30, earning a spot on this year's 1st-Team All-State squad. Josh, a recent transfer from Ohio, made the State Meet in his first season running with DVCC. He set personal bests set this season with a 16:07 at Desert Twilight and a 16:03 (3-mile) at the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational.
At this point in the race four Thunder runners, as well as all five Highland runners, had crossed the finish line; Desert Vista needed its fifth scorer to place 25th or better in order to secure the victory.
Mission Accomplished! as junior
Demetris Love crossed the line in 16th-place with a time of 16:50. A newcomer to DVCC, this was the first State Meet appearance for Demetris and he earned a spot on this year's 3rd-Team All-State squad. Demetris truly peaked at the right point this season, running his personal best for the 5k at the State Meet (16:50). He also set a personal record of 16:29 (3-mile) at Woodbridge earlier this year. Demetris was medalist this season in the Open Race at the Tempe City Meet. We look forward to his second year of running cross country.
Senior
Pierre Cuyeu was the next DVCC runner, placing 23rd in a time of 17:03. As further demonstration of the depth of the DVCC squad, his finishing position would also have served to secure the victory for DVCC. Pierre was another member of a talented crop of DVCC newcomers and this was his first State Meet appearance. He too had a very successful season, with personal records of 16:42 at Desert Twilight and a fine 15:52 (3-mile) at Woodbridge.
Rounding out the team was junior
Vincent Larente in 42nd place in a time of 17:30. This was his first State Meet appearance. Vincent made significant improvements across the board this year and we look forward to his senior campaign. Earlier this season, Vincent ran personal bests of 17:04 at Twilight and 16:37 (3-mile) at Woodbridge.
The Varsity seven was well-supported by the rest of the DVCC Crew who did an amazing job flying all over the course to encourage their teammates on to victory. Everyone from the team played a role and made this latest State Championship a possibility.
On November 17th, the DVCC Boys Varsity team will compete at Nike Cross Regionals (NXR) against the best of Southwest region, including teams from Utah, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico and attempt to qualify for Nike Cross Nationals (NXN).
Until last season, no Arizona boys cross country team had ever qualified for the Nationals NXN; this year, DVCC looks to qualify for the second season in a row.
A heartfelt thank you to all the selfless parents and coaches and boosters who have contributed so much time and effort over this season. Your efforts are greatly appreciated by all Desert Vista athletes.
GO THUNDER !!!!!