It comes as no surprise that Rio Rico swept the 4A-II Gila Regional cross country meet Saturday at Marana High School. The Red Machine took five of the top 10 places in the boys’ race and six of 10, including first and third through seventh, in the girls’ race.

Rio Rico High’s Jose Luis Muñoz crosses the finish line in 16:09 for first place in a cross country meet at Rio Rico High School on Sept. 2. Saturday, Muñoz won the regional title in record-breaking fashion. File photo/Roger Conroy

Jose Luis Muñoz is the boys’ champion, finishing in a time of 16:19.4; and Aeoleone Bristow is girls’ champion, with a time of 20:11.8. This is the 12th year for the Hawks as boys’ regional champions and the sixth year for the girls’, coach Roger Bristow said.

Overall

Overall, no Rio Rico girl placed lower than 12th out of 38 runners and no boy lower than 17th of 45 runners. The race this year went well, Bristow said. “We changed our training and our scheduling around a little bit. We needed to run fairly fast Saturday, just to meet our season plan. They did a good job. I think they can certainly run better.”

Muñoz ran better than anybody on the Marana course. His time of 16:19.4 broke a record set in 2004 by Kenny Cormier (16.31).

“They changed it a little bit. The former track and cross country coach said the course is now longer by about 100 meters. Cormier is from Douglas and went on to be the Footlocker National Champion,” Bristow said. “So Jose Luis is in good company. I’m not sure how pressed Cormier was in that race, but he maybe could have run faster. Jose can run faster too, because he won by 37 seconds.”

Girls’ race

The Lady Hawks grouped well, with all top runners finishing in the top seven.

“The girls ran OK on the girls’ side,” Bristow said. “I think they can run better. We’ve had a lot of injury and sickness on the girls’ side. They ran a good race. It’s their best effort since Ray Worley. They’re coming around at the right time.”

State

“Next week is state,” Bristow said. “Page, Flagstaff and us are all competing on Saturday.”

The state cross country meet is planned for Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix on Oct. 7.

The girls have improved this season. Bristow said, “Marley Henson did a good job. She has had a couple of rough races, but came around. Danielle Jones has really come around the last couple of races and ran well for us.”

Marley is Hanna Henson’s (2007 state champion) sister, and a freshman. “I’m looking forward to them running better at state and better at nationals,” Bristow said.

Aeoleone Bristow is the girls’ 2008 defending state champion. Bristow, Nathaly Lira, Danielle Jones and Michelle Guayante return from the 2008 girls’ number three state team.

On the boys’ side, Munoz finished fourth at state last season. Munoz, Alejandro Valencia and Matt Diaz return from the boys’ 2008 defending state champion team.