Harrison, Schadler win Twilight sweepstakes races

Desert Vista boys, Chandler girls claim team titles at Desert Twilight

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Kashon Harrison of Kirtland Central NM and Cole Sprout of Valor Christian CO produced the most thrilling boys sweepstakes finish in the 11-year history of the Desert Twilight Festival.

But when it came to the boys team battle Friday at Grande Sports Complex in Casa Grande, Ariz., Desert Vista needed no such heroics.

The reigning Arizona Division 1 state champions placed five scorers in the top 29 with an 18-second spread and all seven runners in the top 38 to knock off defending champion El Paso Eastwood TX by a 71-107 margin, securing the Thunder's first sweepstakes title since 2014.

RESULTS | INTERVIEWS

Harrison rallied in the final 200 meters to lean ahead of Sprout at the finish to become the first New Mexico athlete to capture an individual sweepstakes championship.

Harrison was credited with the victory on the 5-kilometer course in 14 minutes, 48.47 seconds to Sprout's 14:48.54. Since the event was moved from Toka Sticks Golf Course to the layout in Casa Grande, both Harrison and Sprout ran the second- and third-fastest times, trailing only the 14:45.6 by two-time champion Daniel Bernal of El Paso Eastwood TX last year.

Chandler put all five scorers in the top 60 -- led by Morgan Foster taking third in 17:44.8 -- to celebrate its first girls sweepstakes championship in program history with a 118-169 win over Durango CO. Desert Vista, seeking its record fifth sweepstakes title, placed sixth at 209.

Chandler joined Desert Vista, Xavier College Prep and Mountain View Mesa as girls sweepstakes champions, with Arizona programs winning the title all 11 years.

Rio Rico AZ junior Samantha Schadler pulled away from Desert Vista senior Haley Wolf (17:21.6) in the final 400 meters to win the individual sweepstakes title in 17:15.8.

Samantha joined older sister Allie Schadler -- last year's winner in 17:03.8 -- as sweepstakes champions, helping Rio Rico become only the second girls team in meet history to have two individuals capture titles.

Xavier Prep had Jessica Tonn win in 2009, followed by Sarah Fakler from 2010-12.

Northland Prep AZ senior Maya Smith, a three-time Division 4 state champion, won the girls championship race in 17:37.2, the third-fastest female performance of the meet.

Boulder Creek AZ senior Jacob Lewis, second last year in the championship race, won the competition in 15:20.2, a top 15 boys time overall.