Many Farms, Betony dominate at Invite
By Alistair Mountz
Special to the Times
MANY FARMS, Ariz, Oct. 1, 2009
(Special to the Times - Steven Clarke)
It was the same old, same old domination for the Many Farms High boys and girls cross-country teams at the Many Farms Invitational last Saturday as they earned first-place finishes in the boys varsity, girls varsity and junior varsity boys divisions for the second year in a row.
The only thing different this season was Sanders Valley freshman sensation Chelena Betony who is putting together a spectacular individual season and quickly becoming one of the most noteworthy runners in northern Arizona.
In the varsity boys race, Many Farms took each of the top three spots as well as fifth and sixth to easily win the team title followed by St. Michael in second and Rough Rock in third.
Senior Robert Lowe was first with a time of 17:49. Lowe was followed by his teammates Garriot James, a senior, in second and sophomore Deion Begay in third. Seniors Brian Keesie and Deon Leonard finished fifth and sixth. Sandwiched in third place was senior Winston Tsosie from Pinon.
The Lobo boys were state runners-up last season and are looking forward to another successful run in Phoenix. Although missing at least one top runner due to academics, they consistently finish among the top teams at every meet they've entered including a first-place finish at the Window Rock Invitational on Sept. 5.
Many Farms coach Frank Begay said that once his full squad is in place they will have an excellent opportunity at state once again.
The Lobo girls' varsity also won a first place team trophy Saturday. Karla Harvey paced the team with a fourth-place finish. Chenoa Herrera from St. Michael took second and Chelsea Gaddy from Sanders Valley finished third.
In team results, St. Michael finished second and Rough Rock was third.
However, the major story on the girls' side was the continuing dominance of Chelena Betony, the slight but formidable freshman from Valley Sanders.
Betony scorched the Many Farms Invite course, which she called "not too challenging, a little flat," in 21:36, three minutes and eight seconds faster than the second place finisher. In a sport where finishing just 20 seconds ahead of someone can be considered a "blowout" three minutes is impressive.
The Many Farms Invite marked the fifth individual first-place finish for Betoney this season. Remarkably, Betoney has finished within the top three of every meet the Lady Pirates have entered this season.
"I'm surprised at how well I'm doing," Betoney said humbly. "My dad has been really pushing me this season. It really is a challenge, I'm just trying to stay focused while I'm on the course."
As for the Lady Pirates as a team, head coach Dorthy Mitchell admits it has been a struggle this season. Although they have five runners on the girls' team only three made it to the Many Farms Invite meaning the team couldn't qualify for a team trophy.
"We're trying to get it together as a team," Mitchell said after the meet. "We are getting closer to where we want to be. I think by the end of October we'll have it."
"We're getting better," Betoney agreed. "We're getting faster each week. I think we'll do well in regionals."
No doubt the Many Farms Invite served to prove the point that Betoney and the Many Farms boys varsity will be forces to reckon with as the cross-country season heats up.
Alistair Mountz is an English and journalism teacher at Many Farms High School.