By Raymundo Frasquillo
RIO RICO – Morenci was one of 26 schools represented in the Rich River Invitational, in which 128 girls competed in the varsity runs, 67 in 1-4 and 61 in 5-8, on Aug. 28.
Five Wildcats set the bar for the season with times they can top during future meets. Four first-time program members each set personal bests; sophomore Aries Hooper clocked in with 24:36.8, and freshmen Raeleigh Lucero (24:20.2), Shaysea Marin (24.44.3), and Danielle Ellington (24.55.0).
Senior Hazel Salinas crossed the finish line in 24:49.8. She had a personal course-best time of 24:07.2 (Oct. 25, 2023) as a freshman, with a personal best 23:23.2 effort 11 days prior.
Morenci Boys
There were two Morenci boys entered, junior Ryder Nelson competing in the 5-8 portion and junior Morgan Petross in the open run. Nelson finished in 19:43.9. His personal best is 19:10.7 (Sept. 3, 2025).
Morenci heads to the “Town too Tough to Die” for the Justin Prevatte Classic on Sept. 9, to the Coronado Vineyards for the Willcox Invitational on Sept. 16, to Casa Grande’s Toka Sticks Golf Resort for the 20th Desert Twilight Cross Country Festival on Sept. 25, the Bisbee Invitational at Warren Ball Park on Sept. 30, the Thatcher Invitational at the Mount Graham Golf Club Course on Oct. 7, to Marana for the Eye of the Tiger meet on Oct. 10, to the Benson Invitational on Oct. 14, to the Rollin Hills Golf Course for Tucson Salpointe Catholic’s John Gleason Lancer Invitational on Oct. 17, to the Greenlee County Golf Course for the Copper Hills Invitational on Oct. 21, and back to Rio Rico for the sectional tournament on Nov. 5. The Cave Creek Golf Course is the site for the state meet on Nov. 14.
Thatcher Girls
Six Thatcher girls posted times, three each in the 1-4 and 5-8 portions. Junior Madi Lunt clocked in with a personal best in 23:27.9, senior Addison Williams in 25:23.0, and sophomore Zoe Ochoa in 26:14.4 during the 1-4 portion.
Junior Delila Sanchez finished in 25:41.3, freshman Kate Gibson with a personal best 27:01.5, and senior Nataly Walter in 27:54.3.
Thatcher Boys
Eight Thatcher boys ran, four each in 1-4 and 5-8. Junior Nathan Retana came in with a personal best 17:08.4, sophomore Bryson Kartchner in 18:06.2, freshman Theodore Haller with a personal best 18:58.1, and sophomore Easton Baker in 19:31.6 during the 1-4 portion.
Freshman Weston Welker had a personal best 19:38.7, junior Blake Bingham a time of 19:39.4, senior Hudson Gibson 21:15.7, and freshman Porter Nolan a personal best 21:24.3 during the 5-8 portion.
