Section champ Chinle girls ready for state
Special to the Times | Reginald Chee
Ganado Hornet Damira Allen (4217) leads Alchesay Falcon Kylie Ovah (3934) and Chinle Wildcat Isabella Martin (4130) in the AIA Division III, North Section 5K girls race at Lake Powell Golf Course in Page on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
WINDOW ROCK
The Arizona Interscholastic Association state meet is on Saturday and the Chinle Lady Wildcats enter the final meet of the season as one of the four sectional champions.
The Wildcats captured the team title at the Division III, North Section on Nov. 5 with 59 points as they held off Ganado (62) and Alchesay (66) for the team title.
“We had our last big training push of that week because we started our taper after sectionals,” Chinle coach Shaniya Smith said. “The kids had a big workout, and they were still feeling it and for them to run like they did on tired legs is pretty phenomenal.”
The Lady Wildcats was led by freshman Isabelle Martin (20:31.1) as she finished as the sectional runner-up behind Ganado senior Damira Allen, who won the race in 20:18.0 at the Lake Powell National Golf course in Page.
“She was really feeling that fatigue, but she was still able to power through,” Smith said of Martin, who edged Alchesay’s Kylie Ovah (20:32.8) for second place by one second.
“I think for us the biggest part of just prepping for the race was just the mental self-talk and just staying in really positive place.
“Each of our kids blew it out of the water,” she added, “and you could see that determination in their faces.”
As for the state meet, Smith said her boys and girls team are both ranked No. 8 in the state and they are looking to push their limits.
“Our goal is to definitely to have our girls get on the podium and our boys to finish in the top 5,” the Chinle coach said. “I think as far as rez schools we’re one of the top teams and on the boys side Page is favorite to win.”
The Chinle boys will be without sophomore Colten Clark, who had his season end unexpectedly earlier this year.
“The boys have really stepped up to fill that gap, but we’re feeling his absence,” Smith said.
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