The Pahrump Valley High School Cross Country team came together on Thursday evening, December 11, for its annual awards ceremony, celebrating a season that will be remembered as one of the most successful in program history. Athletes, families, and coaches gathered for a potluck dinner, a season-highlight slideshow, and an evening of recognition that reflected both competitive excellence and the culture of the Trojan program.
This year’s celebration followed a remarkable fall for PVHS cross country. Both the boys and girls teams finished the season as 3A Southern Region Champions, a milestone achievement that underscored the depth and consistency of the program. The girls team went on to place third at the 3A Nevada State Championships, marking the highest state finish ever by a Pahrump Valley High School girls cross country team.
The ceremony also marked a change in how postseason honors were awarded across the region. For the first time, cross country coaches separated recognition by division rather than grouping athletes from 5A through 2A together. The adjustment allowed 3A athletes to be acknowledged on their own merits—and the Trojans made a powerful statement.
In the 3A All-Region girls division, six of Pahrump Valley’s seven regional championship runners earned First Team All-Region honors: Jules Ondrisko, Sophie Romero, Rylan Bliss, Kaylan Robinson, Rosie Miller, and Addi Nelsen. On the boys side, Joaquin Flores and Josh Gent were named First Team All-Region, while Logan Tilley, Aydon Veloz, Timmy Stutzman, Josh Flores, and Ben De Santiago earned Second Team All-Region honors.
State recognition followed the Trojans’ strong regional performances. Sophie Romero, Jules Ondrisko, and Kaylan Robinson were named to the All-State Second Team for the girls, with Rylan Bliss and Addi Nelsen receiving Honorable Mention. For the boys, Joaquin Flores earned All-State Honorable Mention recognition.
Academic excellence was also highlighted during the evening. All-State Academic honors were awarded to Joaquin Flores, Josh Flores, Josh Gent, Daniel Thompson, Alexis Clouser, Addi Nelsen, and Ella Odegard.
The coaching staff received well-deserved recognition as well. Coach Tahlia Sherlock and Coach Bryce Odegard were voted Best Assistant Coaches in the Southern Region, while Coach Erik Odegard was named Southern Region Head Coach of the Year, reflecting the leadership and preparation that guided both teams to championship success.
Team awards celebrated the character and contributions of individual athletes throughout the season. Timmy Stutzman and Kaylan Robinson received the Lionheart Award, Josh Flores and Alexis Clouser earned the Trojan Award, and Aydon Veloz and Jules Ondrisko were presented with the Tough as Nails Award. Alexander Martinez and Addi Nelsen were named Most Improved, while Ben De Santiago and Rosie Miller received the Newcomers Award. Logan Tilley and Keelee Gieni earned the Coaches Award, Kris Trejo and Rylan Bliss were named Rookies of the Year, and Akim Khan received the Trojan Heart and Soul Award.
The night concluded with the program’s highest individual honors. Sophie Romero was named Most Valuable Runner for the girls, while Joaquin Flores and Josh Gent were recognized as co-Most Valuable Runners for the boys.
The ceremony served as a moment to pause and recognize the work, growth, and commitment that defined the 2025 season, bringing the year to a close for a group that set a high standard within the program.
