ArchivesRio Rico boys and girls, collectively known as the Red Machine, took first place over Cholla, Cienega, Sahuarita and Tanque Verde in a cross-country meet at Rio Rico High School Wednesday. Jose Luis Munoz led the boys to a 1-2-3-4-6 victory, while Aeloeone Bristow led the girls to a 1-3-4-5-6 finish.
  
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The first race for the Lady Hawks was a good one, Aeoleone Bristow said. “We almost perfect-scored it, which is pretty exciting for our first race.” Taking all top five spots gives a cross-country team a perfect 15, the best they can do. The girls scored 19.
Bristow, the defending state champion, has been working hard during the summer, along with the team, she said. “I think we’re going to be pretty good. It’s looking good from here.”
The boys’ race took off in the rain, which wet down the course shortly after the girls took off. Jose Luis Munoz led four Hawks over the line with a first-place time of 16:09. Alejandro Valencia, Matt Diaz and Mario Munoz followed Jose Munoz, but Tanque Verde’s Simon Yuklie spoiled a perfect 15 for Rio Rico by finishing fifth in 17:02. Robert Contreras followed Yuylie, with a sixth-place time of 17:12. “It’s the first race of the season, and it’s a good way to start it off,” Jose Luis Munoz said.
The team has a good start, and some work ahead, Munoz said. “We still have to work on some things. We have practice tomorrow and the next day. We still have a lot of work to do. But it’s a good way to open the season at home, with a good crowd. This is how we thank the community, by racing strong.”
There’s time in the season for that work, Munoz said. “We have time to work on things. We have a great squad right here. We recruited hard and we have good runners. We went on long runs during the summer and worked hard. It’s paying off right here.”
Coach Roger Bristow runs the Wednesday meets against other schools, but overall strategy involves including some top invitationals and some national events during the season. Big races on Rio Rico’s schedule include the Doug Connley and O’Conner Invitationals, plus the Nike Cross Nationals. “We’re going to the Ray Wiley. The Twilight Race is one we’re really looking forward to. It’s really fun. It’s at night,” Bristow said.
As for long-term personal goals, Aeloeone Bristow is looking to retain the state championship she won as a sophomore. “Hopefully, the boys and girls will both win, and we’ll make history again at our school.”
There is one more home meet in Rio Rico on Oct. 21 against Sabino and Santa Rita. Cienega and Cholla were scheduled to race Rio Rico, and Sahuarita and Tanque Verde opted in for the meet as well. “Tanque Verde likes to come and run with our kids. Tombstone was scheduled to come, but they didn’t. Something went wrong with their transportation,” Riger Bristow said.
Rio Rico is building a reputation in Arizona, and nationally as well. Their recent state 4A II championships make their home meets popular for other schools, regardless of division. Tanque Verde coach Michael Stock brought his team and finished third in the boys’ race. “Coach Bristow has been very gracious to invite us to the first race of the season and we learn a lot from this great program. My kids love running these hills,” he said.
Tanque Verde moved up from 1A to 2A this season, Stock said. “We’ve got a lot of new freshmen and first-time runners. I’m very proud of them. My number one got fifth place in the boys race and my girls all ran hard. My co-captian, Jon Sulinsky finished eighth. Everyone looked good. They did a good job.”
Running against good schools makes his team stronger, Stock said. “They (Rio Rico) are a great model for my kids, with their hard work and dedication. Rio Rico has a great program. We’re going to be the Rio Rico of 2A someday.”
The Schadler Course: 3 miles
Girls team
1. Rio Rico, 19 pts (1-3-4-5-6)
2. Cienega, 52 Pts. (8-9-10-12-13)
3. Cholla , 83 pts. (11-15-16-17-24)
4. Sahuarita, 84 pts. (2-18-19-22-23)
5. Tanque Verde, DNS
Girls Individual (top 10)
1, RR, Aeo Bristow, 19:09
2, SAH, Adriana Woletz, 19:52
3, RR, Nathaly Lira, 20:16
4, RR, Daneille Jones, 20:27
5, RR, Marley Henson, 21:04
6, RR, Jocelyne Munoz, 21:11
7, RR, Michelle Guayante, 22:23
8, CHO, Anne Couture, 23:01
9, CHO, Allison Hillemeyer, 23:18
10, TV, Jasmine Walls, 23:23
Boys team
1. Rio Rico,16 (1-2-3-4-6)
2. Cienega, 59 (7-9-13-14-16)
3. Tanque Verde, 79 (5-8-15-22-29)
4. Sahuarita, 101 (12-20-21-23-25)
5. Cholla, 131 (19-24-26-30-32)
Boys individual (top 10)
1, RR, Jose Luis Munoz, 16:09
2, RR, Alejandro Valencia, 16:13
3, RR, Matt Diaz, 16:17
4, RR, Mario Munoz, 16:52
5, T, Simon Yuklie, 17:02
6, RR, Robert Contreras, 17:12
7, C, Zack Deissen, 17:24
8, T, Jon Sulinsky, 17:26
9, C, Robby J, 17:57
10, RR, Knoel Sotomayor, 18:03
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