DV boys win region championship; MP's Wilson 1st individually

Even without its top four runners, Desert Vista's boys cross country team captured the Central Region crown Wednesday night.

The Thunder place five runners in the top eight -- no other school had more than one -- in finishing with 26 total points.

Andrew Kellogg, Adam Estavillo, Michael Johnson and Albert Kombe all rested for next week's Class 5A-I state meet. In their place, Ryan Nelson, Ramsey Carroll, Tucker Kidd, Sean Gormley and Nick Rick more than handled the race.

Mountain Pointe's Dan Wilson was first overall, finishing in 16:56. 

The Pride were third as a team, finishing just one point behind second-place Tempe Corona del Sol. Chandler Basha was fourth.

Desert Vista's girls team finished third while trying to figure out its state lineup. Ali Connell, expected to be the team's top runner before it was revealed she had a fractured tibia before the season, did run in the race -- her first of the year -- and finished 14th. She said she would compete at the state meet next week.

Erin Leonard was second individually for the Thunder. In addition to Connell, two other girls made DV's varsity squad for state: Jessica Hammer and Kaitlyn McElhaney.

They'll be joined by Leonard, Paige Pyper, Megan Kupres and Katie Conway, who didn't run Wednesday.

Mountain Pointe's girls team finished fourth.

Daisha Hill-Hurtado was the Pride's top finisher, coming in ninth. Lindsey Schader was three second behind, placing 10th.

Corona's girls won, while Basha was second.