Payson Roundup

Max Foster/Roundup

Among the Longhorn cross country runners who qualified for the state championship meet are Joey Garcia and David Knauer. The two are shown at the East regional championships held Oct. 31 at Rumsey Park.

There will be no team berth in the state tournament for Longhorn boys cross country team, but three individuals are headed to the 3A finale.

The trio, Dakoda Wholly, Joey Garcia and David Knauer, earned individual seeds by virtue of their top 15 finishes at the East Region championships held Oct. 31 at Rumsey Park.

The state finals will be run at 9:50 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 8 at Cave Creek Golf Course.

In the East championships, Wholly — who also starred the past season on the Longhorn soccer team — led Payson with a 10th place showing in 20:54.61.

Garcia was 13th (21:18.74) and Knauer 14th (21:22.35).

Aman Sharma and Kenny Nyhus also represented Payson, but did not qualify for state by finishing among the top 15.

Sharma was 25th (23:04.18) and Nyhus 26th (23.08.5).

Although Payson tied for fourth in the final standings, the team did not field the minimum six runners to qualify for a score and a team berth to state.

Snowflake’s speedy Cody Wells, who dominated the field covering the 5K in 18:12.38, won the individual championship.

Runner-up Matthew Grant of Alchesay was timed in 18:52.40.

Blue Ridge claimed the East Region title with 48 points.

Trailing by a single point was runner-up Alchesay. Snowflake was third and Show Low fourth. The top four receive team berths to the state tournament.