The Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS) cross country team ended their season on a high note, showcasing their hard work and dedication at the state meet held Saturday, November 2 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Boulder City. Both the girls’ and boys’ teams put forth inspiring performances, solidifying their place as a formidable force in Nevada high school cross country.
Head Coach Erik Odegard praised the girls’ team for their resilience and teamwork. “The Trojan XC team finished up a great season,” Odegard shared. “The girls fell a little short of our goal of repeating as regional champs but bounced back and competed well as a team at state.” Finishing as the top team from the south at state, the girls gave their all, led by senior Aurora Whitney, who clocked in a time of 23:23. Her dedication and perseverance throughout the season culminated in this standout performance.
Odegard was also impressed by Sasha Strain, who ran what he felt was her strongest race of the season, finishing in 24:01. “Sasha put herself in a great spot and finished second for the Trojans,” he remarked. Savannah Thompson wasn’t far behind, finishing at 24:06. Alexis Clouser and Keelee Gieni rounded out the top five, followed by Sophie Romero and Alejandra Abarca-Franco, who all contributed to the team’s outstanding finish. The three seniors, Aurora, Sasha, and Alejandra, leave a legacy of mentorship and leadership that Coach Odegard believes will continue to inspire the next generation of Trojan runners.
The boys’ team, guided all season by senior leader Antonio Veloz, also rose to the occasion. After qualifying for state as the third team at Regionals, they embraced the challenge of state competition and pushed hard. “Antonio has been a great leader for our team all season, and the younger kids have looked to him for guidance on the course,” said Odegard, adding that he and fellow senior Isaac Norton will be greatly missed.
Antonio led the way at state with a time of 18:44, with Joaquin Flores following closely at 19:19. Freshman Josh Gent, who showed steady improvement throughout the season, finished third for the team at 19:51. Logan Tilley and Timmy Stutzman were close behind, rounding out the top five and contributing to the team’s effort. Josh Flores and Daniel Thompson completed the top seven, competing all the way to the finish line.
Looking back on the season, Odegard expressed optimism for the future, particularly with the young talent developing on both teams. With three freshmen and two sophomores among the top runners on the boys’ team, PVHS cross country is well-positioned for continued success. “We’re really excited to see the next chapter in Trojan XC,” he said, grateful for the seniors’ contributions and inspired by the younger athletes’ potential.
