Puma Cross Country opened their 2021 season on September 17 with both squads defeating Pima Community College. The Pumas, running in the Paradise Valley Invitational, outscored the Aztecs 15-46 in the men's race and won by forfeit (19-forfeit) in the women's race. "Both teams ran really well," said Coach David Barney. "It was a good chance for everyone to get their feet wet, and it was the first collegiate race for almost all of them!"
The men's race saw the Pumas come across the line with four student-athletes tying for first place; William Wayne (freshman- Monument Valley H.S.), Johnathon Lane (freshman- Walden Grove H.S.), Talon Smith (freshman- Joseph City H.S.), and Gilbert Olivas Jr. (freshman- Cactus H.S.). The top four finished together in a time of 22:49 over the four-mile course at Sereeno Park in Scottsdale. Pierce Vittone (freshman- St. Mary's H.S.) followed in fifth-place in a time of 23:10 to give the Pumas a low score of 15. Cesar Fonseca (freshman- Dysart H.S.) and Jason Polhemus (freshman- Cactus Shadows H.S.) rounded out the scoring for PV placing 8th (24:41) and 9th (25:13) respectively.
The Puma women's team provided more of the same with Ryan Heiliger (freshman- Cactus Shadows H.S.) and Meghan Barney (sophomore- Veritas Preparatory Academy) crossing the line together for the win in 21:07. Kaelynn Ashley (freshman- Coconino H.S.) and Audrey Hajek (freshman- Raton H.S., NM) finished side by side for third and fourth place points, in a time of 23:15. Abby Dayton (freshman- Estrella Foothills H.S.) wrapped up the Puma scoring placing 9th.
"I'm proud of both teams today," commented Barney, "It was fairly warm and pretty humid, and they gave us some solid performances! But I'm especially proud of our women. Abby and Kaelynn both ran on sore legs to make sure we could score! Now we've got to get them healthy and keep moving forward."
The next competition for the Pumas will be the ACCAC Conference Championship meet on Friday, October 1. The meet will be held at Freestone Park in Gilbert, AZ. The women will start at 8:00am, and the men will race at 8:45am.
