The Falcon cross country team had a busy opening week, kicking things off with an uncommon event hosted by Saguaro and a big weekend invitational hosted by Chandler.

The season continues at home this Saturday, Sept. 13, as the Falcons host their first of two local events this season. The race is set to begin at 7 a.m. at Fountain Park. This will be the Falcons’ biggest meet ever, including 37 teams from all over the state and an expected turnout of around 1,400 runners.

Saguaro

According to Coach Todd Brecto, the Falcons took part in a “unique” race last Wednesday, Sept. 3, in an event hosted by Saguaro.

“The meet was set up with three-person relay teams,” Brecto explained.

“Each runner ran a 1.8- mile course. Scoring was based on the two best all- male teams, the two best all-female teams and the two best co-ed teams.”

Brecto said that the Falcons had a lot of fun in this unusual event, and that the Falcons went on to claim an overall victory to boot.

Chandler

The second meet of the season was a big one, as the Falcons hit the road to take part in the Chandler Invitational.

“The invitational started off with a freshmen only race, with Rebecca Worden placing 15th for the girls and Parker Smout finishing 16th for the boys,” Brecto explained.

The next race of the day was the open race for the men and women.

Taylor Johnson brought home a medal with a sixth place finish and a time of 23:56. Other place finishers for the girls included Elizabeth Smout (27th) and Marie Olson (41st).

Over to the boys, Andrew Cooper claimed a medal out of a big field of runners with his 15th place finish at 20:42. Cody Walter took 18th place, with Tiger Elwood at 20th, Brett Smaga at 24th, Jason Sahr at 36th, Cole McCauliff at 37th and Jake McCauliff at 41st.

Finally, the Falcons took part in the varsity race, with the girls coming away in second place overall and the boys managing a sixth place finish.

For the girls, Hope Brecto was the top finisher for the Falcons with a 10th place time of 21 minutes flat. She was followed closely by Brooke Yost in 11th at 21:08.

Other varsity finishers for the girls included Danica Kerr in 18th at 22:29, Kelsey Schultz in 19th at 22:31, Alexandra Coons in 21st at 23:10, Emmie Lawrence in 22nd at 23:14 and Keilee Martin in 26th at 23:35.

Hayden Brecto got things rolling for the boys in 15th place overall at 17:57. Matt Seiwert placed 18th at 18:14 with Ryder Worden in 29th at 19:17. Nathan Blaes took 31st at 19:31, followed by David Grifo in 32nd at 19:36 and Jordan Smout in 37th at 20:50.