Recap: Southern Nevada Regional XC Championships 

Centennial Girls Eight-Year Wins Streak Ended By Palo Verde

By John Dixon for DyeStat

Fifty-two teams and 684 runners woke up to a beautiful day in Boulder City with a shot to qualify for the State Championships Nov. 9 in Reno.

In Nevada, there are three 4A (Large School) Regions, two in the South (Mountain and Desert) and one in the North. There are two 3A Regions (North and South) as well as two 2A Regions (North and South). 

Note: This will be the last year of this configuration as in 2020 Nevada will realign with the addition of a 5A classification. Three teams qualify for State in each Region plus the best 7 individuals on non-qualifying teams.

Highlights - Saturday November 2 – Veterans Memorial Park, Boulder City

Desert Boys - State Qualifiers 1. Clark (50), 2) Green Valley (66), Bishop Gorman (94). This was expected to be a tight team race with Green Valley being the pre-meet favorite, but it was Clark’s day. The Chargers were led by the 2-3 finish of Brian Kariki and Ezekiel Nyberg (17:12.6 to 17:12.7). Foothill sophomore Nathan Carlin was the Individual Champion running 16:49.1.

Desert Girls - State Qualifiers 1. Coronado (26), Clark (101), SECTA (116). Coronado has been the dominant team in Nevada all season winning everything in sight.  In fact, the Cougars could have run their 8-14 and still have qualified for State. The Cougars placed seven in the top 12 and had the Individual Champion in senior Porshe Eismann (19:39.1) and second place finisher Claire Rawlins (19:43.6).

Mountain Boys - State Qualifiers 1. Centennial (44), Arbor View (65), Faith Lutheran (76). The Bulldogs placed seven in the top 17 and were led by the fourth place finish of senior Tucker Raymond (16:45.6). The Individual Champion was Faith Lutheran’s Aidan Bauhghan who had the meet’s fastest time of 16:24.3. Teammate Raymond Millero was second in 16:31.4.

Mountain Girls - State Qualifiers 1. Palo Verde (54), Arbor View (61), Shadow Ridge (70). For the first time in eight years, Centennial did not win Region, finishing fourth. Palo Verde placed their scoring five in the top 18. Leading the was for the Panthers was the fourth place finish of sophomore Carys Loerwald (20:32.7). The Individual Champion was Jazmin Felix from Desert Pines (19:33). Not only did Felix have the meet’s fastest time, but it was her third consecutive Region Championship.

3A Boys - State Qualifiers 1. Moapa Valley (35), 2. Valley (68), Del Sol (92). Moapa cruised to an easy win placing five in the top 16. The Pirates were led by the fourth place finish of junior Preston Humes (18:01.4). Valley’s senior Christian Franklin was unchallenged, winning his second straight title in 16:32.3. Second place Oracia Garcia from Democracy Prep was more than a minute back running 17:38.1.

3A Girls - State Qualifiers 1. Moapa Valley (41), Boulder City (46), Valley (70). This was the closest team race of the day as the Pirates placed five in the top 14. Boulder City went 2-3-4, but their fourth and fifth runners were 17 and 23. Moapa sophomore Emma Humes (20.33.0) defended her 2018 Championship with the win.

2A Boys - State Qualifiers 1. Lake Mead Christian (38), 2. West Wendover (61) 3. Lincoln County (71). The Eagles placed their scoring four (four score in the 2A Region) in the top 19 and were led by the 2-3 finish of freshman Johanan Jackson (18:04.0) and junior Josiah Sohus (19:08.5). Beatty senior Jose Granados was the individual champion running, 17:48.9.

2A Girls - State Qualifiers 1. Laughlin (14), White Pine (27), Needles (43). Laughlin went 1-2-3-10 easily winning the title. The Cougars were led by three freshman, Leslie Quintero (23:04.3), Alessandra Faccioli (24:19.0) and Louisa Chapa (24:27.4).