Spanish Springs boys, Centennial girls claim 4A titles

By John Dixon for DyeStat

Early threats of rain and wind Saturday held off as excellent conditions greeted runners at the NIAA State Championships at Shadow Mountain Park on the campus of Reed High in Sparks. The tough, hilly course didn’t yield fast times, but most of the pre-meet team favorites seemed to prevail.

Class 4A 

Boys – Spanish Springs swept the top three spots, something never been done at the state championships, and repeated as team champions scoring 65 points, easily outdistancing second-place Arbor View (91). Senior Andrew Ribeiro won in 16:52, followed by teammates Matthew Hakin (16:59) and Daniel Horner (17:06). Ribeiro had been ninth a week earlier at the Northern Regional Championship. The top Southern Nevada finisher was Green Valley senior Milton Amezcua, fourth in 17:15. Arbor View was led by junior Noah Ayala in sixth (17:20).

Girls – Centennial captured its third state championship in four years, scoring 53 points to second-place Damonte Ranch’s 70. Spanish Springs senior Alexis Melendrez placed first by running 19:41. Reno freshman Penelope Smerdon was second in 20:06 and Wooster senior Eliana Ornelas was third in 20:17. Centennial got a ninth-place finish from junior Kloe Littleman (20:44). One of the pre-race favorites, Centennial’s Alexis Gourrier placed 14th and was her team's No. 3.

Class 3A  

Boys – Spring Creek held off rival Elko for a 43-48 victory. SECTA was third with 103 points. Spring Creek senior William Fallini-Hass had the fastest time of the day, winning in 16:39. Tahoe-Truckee sophomore Montana Montgomery was second in 17:21 and defending 3A champion, Bryce Odegard from Pahrump Valley, was third in 17:38.

Girls – Spring Creek defeated defending champ Tahoe-Truckee 34-59 for its second championship in three years. Elko was third with 77. South Tahoe sophomore Carissa Buchholz was the individual champion, running 19:52. Desert Pines sophomore Jazmin Felix was seconde (20:03) and Lowry junior Rebecca Kuskie was third (20:19).

Class 2A/1A

Boys – North Tahoe coach Warren Mills captured his 21st boys state title with, ironically, a 21-point win over The Meadows School, prevailing 29-50. West Wendover was third with 58. North Tahoe placed its scoring four in the top 11. (Nevada scores four places for in 2A/1A race). The top two individuals were the same as in 2016: Sierra Lutheran junior Jared Marchegger won in 17:04 and was followed by North Tahoe senior JC Schoonmaker (17:24). Lake Mead Christian senior Shay Rutledge was third in 17:29.

Girls -- Coach Mills’ girls won their fourth straight and 11th championship overall with a dominating 14-point total. The Meadows School was second with 50 and Wells was third with 51. The Meadows senior Ellen Hirsberg won in 20:30. North Tahoe freshman Keli Lehmkuhl was second in 20:45 and junior teammate Josii Johnson was third in 21:20.

RESULTS - Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A

Team Champions

Class 4A Boys - Spanish Springs 53 points

Class 4A Girls - Centennial 53 points

Class 3A Boys - Spring Creek 43 points

Class 3A Girls - Spring Creek 34 points

Class 2A/1A Boys - North Tahoe 29 points

Class 2A/1A Girls - North Tahoe 14 points