DHS runners compete at state

Douglas High School’s cross county team ran in the Division III 4A state meet in Phoenix Saturday.

The Bulldogs finished 19th in the field of 21 teams finishing with 473 points and head of Scottsdale Coronado and Tempe.

Rio Rico won the state title with 29 points followed by Tuba City, Scottsdale Saguaro and Chinle.

There were 163 runners in the race. Jake Wynn, a senior at Saquaro, was the overall state champion finishing with a time of 15:58.505.

Senior Ricky Larez led the Bulldog runners finishing 66th overall with a time of 18:49.085. Ricky Melendez followed in 78th place and a time of 18:53.532; he was followed by Jesus Loreto in 92nd place and a time of 19:02.956. Gustavo Melendez was 111th with a time of 19:28.952; Alonso Sodari followed finishing 126th with a time of 20:03.147; Manuel Acedo was 134th with a time of 20:42.863 and John Owen was 138th with a 21:18.858.

Larez and Owen are the lone seniors on the team. Loreto and Gustaco Melendez are both sophomores and Acedo, Ricky Melendez and Sodari are all freshmen.

In the girls race Douglas’ Emeri Melendez, a freshmen, finished 67th in the field of 139 runners posting a time of 22:27.394. She was the Lady Bulldogs lone runner in the field of 139 runners.

Tempe’s Dianna Gacia was the overall winner finishing with a time of 18:39.189.

Page was first in the girls race followed by Mingus Union and Chinle.

"It was a great experience for everyone involved," Douglas' cross country coach Nicole Mariscal said. "The underclassmen are excited about the possibilities for next season."