Desert Twilight XC Invitational (AZ)
ON-SITE COVERAGE COMING SOON
Katie Rainsberger Scorches 16:23 5k At Desert Twilight! Air Academy Makes Case For National Ranking
Photo by John Hays
Saucony Flo50 No. 2 ranked Katie Rainsberger of Air Academy, Co. ran 16:23 last night over 5k for the nation's fastest time this year and a new course record in Casa Grande, Arizona. The senior clicked off consistent splits of 5:15-5:18 and crossed through three miles in about 15:48. The run should not be too much of a shock, as she ran 17:05 for 5k at 6,500 feet of elevation over rolling hills last week in Colorado.
Finishing runner-up was No. 17 ranked Allie Schadler of Rio Rico, Az. in her first high-profile race this season. Schadler also dipped under 17 minutes with a 16:54.1 personal best.
As Rainsberger makes a case for status as the nation's top prep, her Air Academy teammates look to move into at least 'bubble team' consideration within the national rankings. No. 6 ranked Desert Vista won handily with 75 points to Air Academy's 93 points, but still - that is a small margin considering that AA is currently unranked compared to a top ten program in DV.
The Thunder grouped together tighter than the Cadets with a 1:14 top five spread and 18:12 average; the Cadets averaged 18:06 (thanks to Rainsberger's 16:24) with a 2:20 spread. Junior Baylee Jones continued to lead the Thunder with a fifth place, 17:41 finish.
Daniel Bernal of El Paso Eastwood ran a new personal best of 15:00.80 to win the boys title - that's 28 seconds faster than last year and 15 seconds faster than his previous best. Tyler Beauchamp of Saguaro was runner-up in 15:01.7.
The No. 13 ranked Desert Hill boys of Utah took the team win led by Jaidan Melendrez, who finished fourth in 15:14. The entire top five finished within the top 24 overall to score 85 points with a nice 39-second spread and 15:37 team average. Unranked Desert Vista was second with 129 points as well as a 39-second spread/15:46 5k average - just one point ahead of Durango High School.
Saucony Flo50 National XC Rankings: