The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) cross country program is hitting the ground running this fall—both literally and figuratively—as the Trojans gear up for what promises to be one of their most competitive seasons yet. Under the guidance of Head Coach Erik Odegard and Assistant Coach Tahlia Sherlock, the team enters the 2025 season with a strong mix of veteran leadership, promising underclassmen, and renewed motivation on both the boys’ and girls’ sides.
“We’ve got a lot of returners this year and a solid group of newcomers that are already putting in the work,” said Coach Odegard. “On the boys’ side, the summer mileage is already paying off, and for the girls, we’ve nearly doubled the size of the team compared to last year. That’s exciting for what we can build.”
Among the dedicated returners is junior Joaquin Flores, who spent his summer running up to 50 miles a week. His goal is to cut his 5K time down to 17:30—perhaps even into the 16-minute range. He credits his motivation to former teammate Antonio Veloz, a now-graduated senior who inspired him to stay consistent and push harder. Joaquin hopes his efforts help the Trojans secure a spot at state and, ideally, dethrone Moapa Valley at the regional level.
Senior Ben De Santiago is making a high-impact return to cross country after last running competitively in eighth grade. Previously a football player, Ben made the switch to focus on his future goals in wrestling and track. “I want to win a state title in track and be the best I can in wrestling,” he said. “Cross country helps with that endurance. This summer wasn’t about wasting time—it was about using every day to prepare.”
Ben is already seeing the benefits of the shift. “Cross country trains your body to run farther at a faster pace. So when you go back to sprinting in track, your lungs and legs are ready to hold that speed for longer. It’s the kind of conditioning that gives you an edge.”
Both Ben and Joaquin pointed to the team’s leadership core as a major strength this season. Names like Akim Khan, Timmy Stutzman, and Logan Tilley came up frequently, each praised for different leadership styles. “Akim is a motivator,” said Joaquin. “Even when his foot was broken, he showed up every day to support the team. Timmy leads by action. He doesn’t say much, but he pushes you to be better just by how hard he works.”
Coach Odegard echoed those sentiments adding, “Ben is new to the program but already a vocal leader from his time in track. Joaquin leads by example. Timmy’s our quiet worker. And Akim—he brings energy and positivity to every practice. It’s a strong mix of personalities that complement each other well.”
On the girls’ side, junior Rosie Miller is new to the team but clocked around 20 miles a week over the summer, crediting the team’s friendly and inclusive atmosphere as her main motivation. “The personalities on the team is what keeps me coming back,” Rosie said. “It feels more like a family than a team.”
With an expected 15 girls on the team this year—many of whom are new to cross country—Rosie said most of the leadership comes from the overall unity between the boys and girls teams. Still, one teammate stood out: Savannah Thompson. “She’s quiet, but she works hard and sets the example for everyone else,” Joaquin said. “She’s like Timmy in that way—always consistent, always pushing.”
Coach Odegard is optimistic about what the girls can achieve this season. “Last year, we had about seven or eight girls total. This year, we’re close to 15. With some of the talent we’ve added, I’m confident we can push for a top spot at state.”
The team’s training has also been elevated thanks to visits from Dominique Malloy, a former PVHS and collegiate sprinter who worked with the athletes on building speed, maintaining race pace, and sprinting under fatigue. “She had us working on sprint endurance—how to hold a kick after already running hard,” Ben said. “It was tough, but it helped build the lactic acid tolerance we’ll need in races.”
As for race favorites, the Thompson Twilight Invitational is high on the list. It’s one of the only night races of the season and features a fun mix of surfaces and obstacles. “It’s a unique experience,” said Joaquin. Others mentioned were the Larry Burgess Invitational at Sunset Park and the Red Rock Twilight meet, which features a fast course on concrete.
This season also brings some changes to the competition structure. Several charter schools have left the division, and now PVHS is part of a more streamlined 3A Southern League with about ten teams. Coach Odegard says the boys’ team has a real shot at overtaking perennial regional powerhouse Moapa Valley, while the girls’ team should be a top contender at both the region and state level.
“We’re not just training hard—we’re training smart,” said Coach Odegard. “The team is more well-rounded than ever. They’re motivated, they’re supporting each other, and they’re ready to make some noise this season.”
With a packed schedule ahead, including familiar races and new challenges, the PVHS cross country program enters 2025 with confidence and cohesion. For these athletes, the miles already run are just the beginning. The finish line is still far ahead—and they’re racing toward it together.
