The DVCC Boys Cross Country Team competed in the Cross Country Championship held on Saturday, November 16th at the Cave Creek Golf Course. The Thunder posted a score of 65 points to finish in second place behind Highland (39).
The Thunder was hoping to capture its 6th state title in a row and most certainly gave it everything they had but it just wasn't meant to be on this day. The team actually ran faster than last year's state championship squad, posting a total cumulative time of 1:21:11, which was the second fastest state championship time ever for DVCC.
DVCC was led by Senior
Demetris Love Jr. in 6th place with a time of 15:52, which was the second-fastest state race in DVCC history. This was the second State Meet appearance for Demetris. He ran nearly nearly a full minute faster than last year and earned a spot on the 1st-Team All-State squad. In addition to his 5k PR at the State Meet, his season also included a 3-mile PR of 15:00 at Woodbridge this season and a first-place finish in the Varsity race at the Tempe City Meet this season. Demetris was also a member of the Sons of Thunder this season.
Next across the line was Senior
Sammy Van Alstine in 11th place with a time of 16:03. Sammy returned to the state meet for the third time, this year as the defending Arizona D1 Boys State Champion having won the race last year (16:03). He earned a spot on this year's 2nd-Team All-State squad, having made 1st-Team All-State in his previous two appearances. Sammy was a member of the Sons of Thunder this season, his second season with that honor.
Following Sammy was a trio of latented sophomores, led by
Noah Jodon in 14th (16:13). His time earned a spot on this year's 2nd-Team All-State squad. This was his first State Meet appearance. This season, Noah ran a 15:15 to set a 3-mile PR at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a 15:45 to set a 5k PR at Desert Twilight.
Sophomore
Ethan Bukowski was close behind in 16th with a time of 16:18. He earned a spot on this year's 3rd-Team All-State squad. This was his first State Meet appearance. Ethan had a successful season, running a 15:17 to set a 3-mile PR at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a 15:54 to set a 5k PR at Desert Twilight.
Sophomore
Jonathan Estrada was the final scoring runner to cross the line for DVCC. He grabbed a 21st-place finish with a time of 16:25 and nabbed the last spot on this year's 3rd-Team All-State squad. This was the first State Meet appearance for Johnathan. This season, he ran a 15:31 to set a 3-mile PR at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a 16:11 to set a 5k PR at Desert Twilight.
Next up for the the Thunder was Junior
Christopher Broze, who posted a time of 16:51 and finished in 40th place in his first State Meet appearance. This season, he ran a 16:09 to set a 3-mile PR at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a 16:33 to set a 5k PR at Desert Twilight. Christopher was a member of the Sons of Thunder this season, his first time with that honor.
Rounding out the team was another talented sophomore,
Ryan Hoyt in 56th (17:05). Ryan is the sibling of former Thunder runner
Alec Hoyt (2014), himself a two-time state meet runner for DVCC. This season, Ryan ran a 16:35 to set a 3-mile PR at the Woodbridge Cross Country Classic and a 17:01 to set a 5k PR at the Regional Meet.
Additional Info
- DVCC Program
- Over the last 9 years, DVCC has 6 wins and 3 Runner-up finishes
- 2 of the 3 Runner-up finishes were to the 2 fastest team times in State History.
- Over the last 18 years, DVCC has 10 wins and 5 Runner-up finishes
- 2019 Team:
- Fastest #1-5 Avg (16:10) in DVCC history
- Fastest #6-7 Avg (16:57) in DVCC history
- Posted 6 Sub-17:00 Times (ties the most ever in DVCC history)
- Demetris Love ran the 2nd-Fastest State Race in DVCC History: 15:52:03
Thank You to the coaches, staff, boosters, and parents as this season would not have been possible without you.
GO THUNDER!!!!