Yuma High School’s cross country season came to an end last Friday at the Class 2A Region 2 Meet at Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs.
The runners all gave it a good shot, but no one qualified. The boys had enough runners to post a team score, but did not finish in the top five.
“Our boys and girls ran a good race in Colorado Springs,” coach Robert Zahller said. He noted the lead runners on both teams finished in the top half in a region that featured some of the top teams and runners in 2A.
Jiovani Perez led the Yuma boys by placing 41st in 19 minutes, 49.86 seconds. Alan Flores was 43rd in 20:01.78, Liam McClaran 51st in 21:02.03, Josiah Perez 55th in 21:28.67, Hugo Olivas 57th in 21:40.56, Silas Chambers 63rd in 22:17.73, and Anderson Weathers 67th in 23:01.85.
Myka McDonald paced the girls by placing 49th in 25:45.09. Kenya Arvizo was 54th in 26:44.94, Achtonn Neill-Davison 57th in 27:13.36, and Alyssa Roberts 60th in 27:57.83.
Golden View Classical Academy won the boys team title with 45 points. Also qualifying for state as a team were Banning Lewis Prep, Wiggins, The Vanguard and Peyton. Banning Lewis won the girls title with 27 points. Also qualifying for state were Denver Christian, The Vanguard, Golden View Classical Academy and Peyton. Addie Jones from Wray also qualified for state as an individual.
All classifications will have their state championship meets Saturday at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
Zahller retiring
Rob Zahller said he is retiring from coaching after 15 years. The YHS graduate also has coached track and field during his career. He said he is wanting to pass the torch to another YHS graduate, Ty Thurston, who was the assistant coach this season and is in his second year as a teacher at YHS.