Payson Roundup

Pitted against the finest high school cross country teams in Arizona, the Lady Longhorns ran to a seventh-place finish at the 3A state cross country meet. In the season-ending fray held Nov. 8 in Phoenix, Payson tallied 205 points.

With 50 points, powerful Chinle — led by fabulous freshman Rolando Jumbo — won the state title.

Jumbo took the individual crown soaring around the 5K course in 18:14.30. Her winning time was 42 seconds faster than runner-up Jessica Rydberg of Blue Ridge.

The East Region was well represented in the state meet with Blue Ridge and Alchesay joining Payson in the top 10. Blue Ridge was third and Alchesay fifth.

Show Low took 12th.

Jacquelyn Osterblad turned in Payson’s best individual finish taking 29th in 22:44.65.

Only four seconds behind her in 30th place was junior Lucy Schouten.

Lauren Nossek finished 40th in 23:40.50.

Freshman Adrian Barnes was 52nd running the course in 24:23.05.

The team effort was rounded out by Elizabeth Luna (54th; 24:26.50), Iris Molina (69th; 25:28.30) and Meha Sharma (94th; 30:08.15).

The state meet marked the culmination of a season in which the Lady Horns finished second in the East Region tournament held Oct. 31 at Rumsey Park.

Although the Longhorn boys did not qualify as a team for state, three individuals did earn 3A berth.

At state, Dakoda Wholly led the short Payson parade by taking 63rd in 19:03.65. David Knauer was 79th (19:54.45) and Joey Garcia was 86th (20:17.80).