Anyone driving by Fountain Park Saturday morning, Sept. 13, may have noticed a massive group of Arizona teens and spectators gathered near Plaza Fountainside.

With 35 schools and 1,100 runners showing up to take on the local course, all of those people excitedly milling about were in town for the first home meet of the 2014 cross country season, the largest the local school has ever hosted.

“I can’t think of a more perfect place to hold a race than Fountain Park,” said head coach Todd Brecto.

“We received many compliments from the other teams and the large crowd in attendance. Because the meet had such large numbers, we had to turn four races into six.”

Teams have been complimenting the Fountain Park course for years, since its unique layout allows parents and coaches to actually see much of the race.

Many cross country meets are three-plus mile treks into the middle of the desert. Spectators typically get to see the runners take off from the starting line, then come in one by one for the finish.

The Fountain Park course includes one short loop around the Saguaro Blvd. side of Fountain Park, followed by two full laps around the park before hitting the finish line. Spectators can see the entire first loop, and half of each subsequent loop without having to move from the start/finish line.

According to Brecto, the location was only half of the reason the event went off so well.

“The only way that this meet is a success is because of the countless hours the cross country parents volunteer to make the meet run smoothly,” he said.

“Thank you, cross country parents. You are the best.”

Thanks to all of those rolling hills and tight corners around the Fountain, Brecto said that the 3.1- course is known for its challenge. Still, the Falcons managed to rise to the challenge, despite the fact that many older members of the team were actually absent due to college testing.

Hope Brecto won the freshmen/sophomore race for the ladies with a time of 22:42, followed by a flock of her fellow Falcons; Danica Kerr in fourth at 23:42, Kailee Martin in seventh at 23:56 and Alexandra Coons in 11th at 24:20. Lauren Johnson and Rebeca Worden also finished in the top 100 for that race.

Kelsey Schultz was the only Falcon to run in the varsity event, finishing the race at 23:04.

Over to the junior/senior race and Taylor Johnson led the way for the Falcons in 11th place. The rest of the Falcons also finished in the top 100, including Frida Schirmag at 50th, Elizabeth Smout in 61st and Marie Olson in 82nd.

Hayden Brecto claimed the fastest time for the boys in the junior/senior event, taking 17th place overall at 19:04. Ryder Worden finished at 20:25, followed by David Grifo at 20:50, Andrew Cooper at 21:35, Cody Walter at 22:08, Brett Smaga at 23:29 and Jason Sahr at 23:56.

Only a handful of guys took part in the boys’ varsity run, including Nathan Blaes at 20:28, Tiger Elwood at 22:11 and Cole McAuliff at 25:42.

Next up, the Falcons hit the road to Costa Mesa, Calif., to take part in the annual Woodbridge Classic Friday, Sept. 19. Runners return home for another road meet next Wednesday, Sept. 24, to race at Arcadia beginning at 5 p.m.