It was a big weekend for the Fountain Hills High School cross country team with both the boys and girls squads qualifying for the state event.

The girls finished in second place overall at the sectional event on Friday, Oct. 31, with the boys going on to take fifth place.

Both teams are now set to compete in the state run, which is set to be held at the Cave Creek Golf Course this Saturday, Nov. 8. The girls will hit the course at 11:30 a.m. with the boys to run at 12:30 p.m. This meet will wrap up the 2014 season for the Falcon squad.

Girls

The section meet featured a field of 16 teams from around the state in Division III, Section III event. The meet was hosted out of CrossRoads Park in Gilbert, with the kids hitting the course in temperatures that reached the low 90s.

It was a little warmer than expected but, according to head coach Todd Brecto, that didn’t slow the Falcons down even a little bit. As for the race itself, Brecto said that the coaching staff put in a little extra work to get the team good and prepared for the meet.

“We took the team down to Gilbert to run the course on the Tuesday before the meet,” Brecto said.

“I think that really helped the athletes prepare mentally for the meet on Friday. There were several key big hills and tight corners and that would have been a big surprise if we had not run the course ahead of time.”

The Lady Falcons hit the course at 2:30 p.m. the day of the big meet.

“I told them not to worry about the times this race, but only to concentrate on racing and competing,” Brecto added.

“We were trying to defend our title as section champions from last year, but we knew it would be difficult, as Tempe has a very strong team this year.”

Brecto said that the Falcons battled Tempe through the entire race, with both squads taking 10 of the top 14 spots overall.

The Falcons took second place overall, led by Hope Brecto in eighth place. Kailee Martin was hot on her trail, followed immediately by Brooke Yost. Danica Kerr took 13th overall, with Emmie Lawrence wrapping up the Falcons’ scoring positions in 24th. Alexandra Coons and Kelsey Schultz weren’t too far off as they brought the event to a close for the Lady Falcons.

Boys

As for the boys, Brecto said the team was up against an incredibly tough group of 16 teams for their race.

“They knew going into the race that they would all have to have great races just to make it to the state competition,” Coach Brecto added.

Hayden Brecto took first place for the Falcon squad, running in eighth until the final 800 meters, when he turned on some extra speed and managed to come in fourth place overall, just two seconds behind the second and third place finishers.

Matt Siewert was next, coming in 11th overall, with Ryder Worden taking the third place finish for the Falcons. Nathan Blaes and David Grifo wrapped up the scoring positions in a tight cluster.

Andrew Cooper and Jordan Smout also crossed the finish line in a close group to bring the event to a close.

Overall, the guys took fifth place as a team.

“I was very proud of the way we raced [at the sectional meet],” Brecto said.

“It was a challenging course and the heat was a factor, but we accomplished our goals.

“Just making it into the state meet is quite an accomplishment. I know our athletes are ready to have their best race of the season next Saturday.”