The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) Cross Country team delivered strong performances at the Falcon Invitational, held at Foothill High School on Saturday, September 28. After a quick turnaround from their midweek meet in Pahrump, the Trojans faced a mostly asphalt course featuring a long, gradual decline, providing a favorable setting for personal records (PRs).
Head Coach Erik Odegard expressed pride in his team’s efforts, saying, “The kids took advantage of the easier course and pushed for PRs. Several athletes ran their best times of the year, which was great to see as we get closer to Regionals.”
Despite a strong showing, medals were scarce, as only the top 15 runners in each race received recognition. However, standout performances still shined through, particularly for Sophie Romero, who ran her first Invitational for the Trojans and secured the team’s lone medal. Sophie finished 13th in the Varsity B race for girls, a remarkable achievement considering the field of over 450 athletes.
On the boys’ side, Antonio Veloz led the charge once again, finishing with a time of 17:33, shaving almost 15 seconds off his previous PR. Timmy Stutzman also posted a personal best, improving by nearly 20 seconds, while freshman Josh Flores continued his upward trajectory, cutting another 30 seconds to clock in at 19:32.
For the girls, Aurora Whitney led the team and set a new PR, finishing in the low 22-minute range. Close behind her was Sasha Strain, who also achieved a personal best, finishing just shy of breaking into the 22-minute mark. The girls’ team has been working together effectively, pulling each other along during races and finishing strong in the final stretch.
“As the season progresses and competitions become fewer, we’re using this time to fine-tune aspects of our race strategy,” Coach Odegard added. “The athletes really needed to see how fast they could run on this course, as it should give them the confidence they need for the Regional meet.”
With one more Invitational left on the schedule, the Trojans will focus on recovery, maintaining top conditioning, and fine-tuning their speed as they prepare for the all-important Regional meet. Coach Odegard emphasized the importance of balancing hard work in practice with addressing any lingering wear and tear.
The Trojans’ strong performances and growing confidence position them well for the challenges ahead.
