MVHS Runners Take 1st In Division, Break Two Records

By GABRIELLE SHIOZAWA

Moapa Valley Progress

Two more school records fell when the Moapa Valley High School Cross Country teams ended their regular season on Saturday, October 6, with a spectacular performance at the Southern Division Finals. The Boys’ team once again took the division title. And, for the first time in recent memory, the Pirate girls’ team also one the division meet which was held at Basic High School in Henderson.

For the girls, Emma Humes broke the school record for the second time this season with her time of 20:12. Humes placed first in the 3A Sunrise Division. Shelby Olson had set the record at 20:14 just the previous week.

Olson took second place with her time of 20:19. Other Pirate finishers included Hannah Watson, 22:41; Ayden Morrow, 23:03; McKinley Bledsoe, 23:03; Lucy Bromley, 23:09; and Samantha Thompson, 23:11.
The overall score for the MVHS girls team was 24 points and that earned them the first place division title.

“This has been a great season, and to have Division go this well is amazing,” commented Emma Humes, a freshman. “We did have a couple of rough patches in the race, but we still came out really strong!”

In the boys’ race, Emma’s brother, Preston Humes broke the boys’ school record with his time of 16:47, placing first in division. The previous record, 16:59, was set by legendary Pirate runner Josh Thompson in 2010.

Jerrick Stastny and Bryton Dorsey took second and third place, respectively, with times of 17:26 and 17:35. Other MVHS runners included Max Shambaugh, 18:56; Preston Bushman, 19:29; Colton Ruff, 21:54; and Rory Bylund, 22:51.

The Pirate boys’ team won the 3A Sunrise Division title with a cumulative score of 18 points.
“It feels super good because it’s always been a goal of mine to break the school record,” remarked Preston Humes, a sophomore. “To lead my team also feels really good. I just hope that we can do really well at region as well.”

In the Varsity B girls’ race, MVHS girls placed eighth. Finishers included Laura Adams, 24:00; Alexa Canfield, 25:49; Annabel Lounsbury, 25:55; Haley Bush, 26:57; Gabrielle Shiozawa, 27:46; Miranda Robison, 27:54; and Kennadie Burt, 30:32.

In the Varsity B boys’ race, Ryan McMurray and Alex Villezcas finished with respective times of 21:58 and 23:48.

Earlier that week, Pirates competed in the 2.5 mile O’Dea Frosh-Soph Invitational at Desert Breeze Park.
In the freshman girls’ race, Emma Humes placed second at 17:05. Ayden Morrow finished at 19:46, and Lucy Bromley finished at 20:08.

In the freshman boys’ race, competitors included Preston Bushman, 16:56; Colton Ruff, 18:42; Rory Bylund, 19:46; and Alex Villezcas, 21:16.

Sophomore girls who raced included Hannah Watson, 19:44; Samantha Thompson, 20:50; Laura Adams, 21:04; McKinley Bledsoe, 21:54; Annabel Lounsbury, 24:11; and Haley Bush, 25:27.
Preston Humes placed fourth in the sophomore boys’ race at 14:37.