Ganado girls, boys garner Window Rock Cross-Country Invite title
FORT DEFIANCE
Ganado’s girls and boys nailed down championship honors at the nine-team Window Rock Cross-Country Invitational.
The Ganado girls’ placed their five scoring runners in the top 13 slots en route to earning 33 points.
The Lady Hornets finished well ahead of runner-up Window Rock, who tallied 59 points. Valley Sanders settled for third place with 94 points. Many Farms finished with 95 points, followed by Alchesay (99), Winslow (139) and Rock Point (206).
Ganado head coach Anna James said the Lady Hornets have been working hard in practice, preparing for their meets.
“The girls are hard workers,” James said. “It’s early in the season. We are improving and getting better. Today’s race is an indication that Ganado are preparing themselves for the competition.”
Ganado’s top racers were sisters Janaya and Jayla McIntosh. Janaya, a senior, claimed second place, touring the 5K-course in 20:53. Jayla, a sophomore, finished in third place, posting a 21:21.
The individual girl’s champion was Piñon junior Precious Robinson, who clocked a 20:30 over the 5K-course.
“I ran my race,” Robinson said. “I was concentrating on the race from start to finish. I knew Janaya of Ganado was going to be a challenge. I was focused on racing hard.”
Ganado senior Jalen Chee was the boys’ individual champion, completing the 5K-course in 16:54.
Chee said he felt good throughout the race, en route to capturing his second individual championship this year. Earlier this season, Chee won the Pizza Edge Cross-Country Invitational championship in Kayenta.
“It was a good race,” Chee said.
“Today was a good indication that I have been practicing hard. I finished well ahead the second place finisher. I hope to continue improving my time. We have tough meets coming up.”
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