The high school cross country team had another big season in 2013, ending an era with head coach Chris Davis on a high note.

Davis, who will be retiring at the end of the current school year, said he was happy to see his final year with the team go so well, and thanks his assistant coaches and athletes for making it so memorable.

“This season was a lot of fun,” Davis said.

“We had a trip to race in California early on and that served as a good team-building exercise. We came back and we were on target for our upcoming meets, as far as times are concerned. Then we kept having fun and improving week by week.”

The Falcons’ season began in early September with a massive meet at the Chandler invitational. The Falcons took on hundreds of runners from every division at this 40-team event, competing based on class rather than having a varsity and open run.

Racing in big meets became the norm in 2013, as that trend continued the very next week in mid-September as the Falcons hosted their first event of the season out of Fountain Park.

The local squad welcomed 25 teams with nearly 500 athletes showing up to compete as the boys went on to claim seventh place overall and the girls went on to take sixth.

By that point, the tone was pretty much set for the season. The local squad competed in about a race a week, each time finishing near the front of the standings.

The Falcons returned home for their final meet of the regular season, this time running out of the high school campus. By this time, the girls had improved to a first place standing with the boys taking fifth overall.

The sectional meet was hosted out of Skunk Creek Landfill this year, which is a much nicer area than the name implies. The girls put on an extra burst of speed this outing, claiming first place at the sectional run as the boys went on to claim sixth.

The Falcons produced six all-section athletes at this event, including Sierra Jarriel, who took first place for the girls, Brooke Yost, Erika Yost, Hope Brecto, Scott Jarriel and Hayden Brecto.

“I think the highlight of this season was when the girls won the section race,” Davis said.

“They were excited about that and I felt really good about it, too. They had really good times and we achieved one of our goals for the year.”

The final meet of the season was the state event, hosted out of Cave Creek Golf Course in early November.

The girls came in 10th overall with the boys taking 13th. The top Falcon for the ladies was Sierra in fourth place overall with her brother, Scott, taking a top spot of 46th for the boys.

Scott, according to Davis, proved to be a leader off the course as well as on.

“He kept everyone in line and informed, doing a good job with the team e-mails and making sure everyone was where they needed to be,” Davis said.

“Michelle was a good captain for the girls and, even though she wasn’t a captain, Brooke Yost really stepped up and helped lead the team, too.”

Davis said he is really proud of his runners this season, who knew how to have fun and also when to buckle down and work.

To his seniors, Davis said he hopes they keep on performing well in terms of running and in academics, and he hopes they enjoyed the season as much as he did.

“We have a lot to be thankful for this season,” Davis said.

“Both teams had a great year.”

Davis said that, even though he’s going on to retirement, he feels the Falcons have a “real powerhouse” of a team ready to roll next season, and he wishes them the best.

“Remember to always stay focused and listen to direction, and you will achieve your goals,” Davis said.

“I’m going to miss everyone. I’m sad I’m leaving but, on the flip side, I’m also happy. I have a lot of confidence in this team. We won seven regional titles and two sectional titles in my time here. I look forward to seeing them earn some more.”