Desert Vista boys rally past Highland to extend Division 1 dynasty, with Page also capturing fifth straight title in Division 3; Flagstaff sweeps Division 2 championships for fourth year in a row

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Several of the most impressive team winning streaks in meet history continued Saturday at the Arizona Interscholastic Association State Championships, perhaps none more dramatic than the comeback orchestrated in the last mile by Desert Vista in the Division 1 boys final.

INTERVIEWS

Facing a projected 29-point deficit against Highland at the 2-mile mark, Desert Vista collectively rallied to extend its legacy with a 31-41 victory and a fifth straight championship at Cave Creek Golf Course.

Junior Sammy Van Alstine surged in the final 800 meters to win the individual title on the 5-kilometer course in 16 minutes, 3.08 seconds, prevailing against defending champion Leo Daschbach of Highland (16:06.99), with Desert Vista teammate Lee Nasewytewa placing third in 16:09.2.

But the biggest boost for the Thunder came from the supporting cast of Travis Kearney (16:25.19), Josh Lowry (16:30.31) and Demetris Love (16:50.31), all closing in strong fashion to place in the top 16. Kearney improved nine spots in the final mile to finish fourth, Lowry moved up eight places to take seventh and Love passed 16 runners to secure the victory for Desert Vista, which has won nine titles overall.

Flagstaff was also significantly tested on its journey to sweeping the Division 2 team championships for the fourth straight year.

In a back-and-forth battle throughout, the Eagles relied on junior Hana Hall, a transfer from University Prep CA, winning the girls race in 18:07.48 to edge North Canyon by a 94-96 margin, securing a seventh title in the past eight seasons and 15th overall.

Stefana Purkovic placed second in 18:37.65 for North Canyon, which secured its best finish in program history.

Facing a projected two-point deficit entering the final mile of the boys race, Flagstaff relied on its experience to hold off Casteel by a 128-144 margin.

Cienega sophomore Ayden Schilb, third last year, made a strong push in the final 600 meters to capture the individual crown in 16:07.44.

Bowen Martin ran the fastest time of the meet, clocking 16:02.07, with the senior leading a sweep of the top three spots for Page in the Division 3 final, along with Morgan Fowler (16:19.63) and Trent Holiday (16:37.56).

Page won its fifth straight championship and 16th overall with a 35-114 victory over Prescott.

After capturing the past two Division 2 girls titles, Chaparral senior Abi Archer moved up to Division 1 this season and added another victory in her final state race, producing the fastest female effort of the meet by clocking 17:56.22, elevating her to the No. 7 all-time performer on the course.

Xavier Prep secured its first Division 1 girls title since 2012 with a 71-93 victory over last year’s champion Chandler. It marked the 10th championship in program history for Xavier Prep, which had endured four runner-up finishes in the past five years.

Chandler senior Morgan Foster (18:04.04), a Stanford commit, took second behind Archer, but Xavier Prep had six athletes place in the top 23.

Rio Rico senior Samantha Schadler joined Archer in adding another title to her career resume, repeating in Division 3 by clocking 18:01.32. Zoey Delgado placed third in 18:55.74 for Salpointe Catholic, which secured its second championship in three years with a 66-129 victory over Prescott.

Northland Prep Academy, which halted Hopi’s national record of 27 consecutive boys state titles last season, backed it up with another strong performance to repeat in Division 4 with a 37-67 victory.

North Phoenix Prep junior Jordan Black captured the Division 4 individual title in 16:05.27.

Junior Aliandrea Upshaw won her first Division 4 girls crown in 18:18.33, leading St. Michael Indian to its first team title since 2002 and fourth overall with a 63-102 victory over Hopi.

Team Champions

Division 1 Boys - Desert Vista 31 points  RESULTS

Division 1 Girls - Xavier Prep 71 points  RESULTS

Division 2 Boys - Flagstaff 128 points  RESULTS

Division 2 Girls - Flagstaff 94 points  RESULTS

Division 3 Boys - Page 35 points  RESULTS

Division 3 Girls - Salpointe Catholic 66 points  RESULTS

Division 4 Boys - Northland Prep Academy 37 points  RESULTS

Division 4 Girls - St. Michael Indian 63 points  RESULTS