The Douglas High School boys cross country team had its entire team qualify for state following an impressive performance this past weekend in the sectional race in Marana.

Douglas High School cross country state qualifiers. From left to right, John Owen, Gustavo Melendez, Emeri Melendez, Jesus Loreto, Alonso Sodari, Ricky Melendez and Ricky Larez. Not pictured is Manny Acedo. State takes place this Saturday in Phoenix. Bruce Whetten/Douglas Dispatch

Emeri Melendez was the lone runner from the Lady Bulldogs to qualify for state.

State will take place this Saturday at the Cave Creek Golf Course. Melendez will run at 9:15 a.m. while the boys will run at 10:15.

At Saturday’s sectional meet there were 13 teams in the race. Douglas did not score failing to have the five runners required to score.

Campo Verde was the overall winner with 47 points, Safford was second with 107 and Rio Rico third.

Sahuarita’s Melissa Williams was the overall winner covering the 5,000 meters in a time of 19:54.70.

Melendez, a freshman, finished 24th overall posting a time of 21:25.

Karla Loreto was 35th with a time of 22:19.60; Laura Blair, 45th, 23:00.60 and Lara Hurtado , 46th, 23:01.00.

There were 89 runners in the girl’s race.

In the boys race which featured 103 runners, Rio Rico was first with 17 points; Campo Verde was second with 88, Sahuarita third with 124 and Douglas sixth out of 14 teams, with 165 points.

Rio Rico’s Robert Contreras was the overall winner posting a time of 15:38.10.

Ricky Larez led Douglas finishing 26th overall with a time of 17:57.50.

Ricky Melendez was 29th with a time of 18:05.20; Jesus Loreto was 35th, 18:12.30; Alonso Sodari, 38th, 18:21.30; Gustavo Melendez, 43rd, 18:41.60; Manny Acedo was 67th, 19:50.00 and John Owen 78th, 20:10.70.

“The runners had a great day,” DHS cross country coach Nicole Gomez Mariscal said. “Almost every single person cut their time and had a personal best. I’ve very proud of their performance. They went into the race with a positive mind set and it worked. It was exciting when the results were announced to hear the boys had made it to state.”

The coach added she is also proud of Emeri Melendez who placed in the top 25.

“The runners have been training hard and we’re happy to see that their hard work paid off,” she said.