Heat factors into teams’ losses

With weather and travel conditions playing a large factor Tuesday afternoon during the Division I-A Sunrise Region opener at Moapa Valley High School, both Boulder City cross-country programs placed fourth on the day in what head coach Canaan Petersen chalked up as a learning experience for his team.

"To be honest, the both teams struggled with the heat," Petersen said. "Both teams have a lot to work on, but with it being the first meet of the year, I know we will continue to work hard in practice and improve every week of the season."

The boys, who came into the meet ranked as the Division I-A fifth best team by the Southern Nevada Cross-Country Coaches poll, had a solid meet overall finishing with a score of 93 behind Southeast Career Technical Academy (25), Chaparral (73) and Del Sol (91).

"The boys as a team fared a little better overall Tuesday," Petersen said. "Tyler Campbell competed for the lead most of the race, but fell back during the last mile. I'm confident he will improve his time steadily throughout the season, while Joren Selinger also put in a good race."

Campbell, the Eagles' lead junior runner, finished the 3.1-mile race third overall with a time of 21:17.6, to put the Eagles in the top half of the region.

For the girls, who came into the race ranked as the Division I-A third best team by the Southern Nevada Cross-Country Coaches poll, confusion and inconsistency plagued them throughout the event as they finished with a score of 106 behind Tech (19), Moapa Valley (69) and Del Sol (97).

Lead sophomore runner Sierra Selinger would go through most of the race ahead of the pack Tuesday, before taking a wrong turn in the final mile to conclude the race unfinished. Returning stars sophomore Camille Torgeson and senior Emma Torgeson would also struggle on the day, both finishing the race well below their posted times from a season ago in what concluded as a disappointing event for the defending Division I-A Southern Region champions.

"Sierra not finishing hurt us," Petersen said. "She looked good and strong in front, before taking a wrong turn in the final mile and eventually not finishing. My other girls were way off their normal pace, but again the heat was brutal on most of them. I expect us to continue to improve."

Upcoming Events

Saturday, Las Vegas Invitational at Hemenway Park, 8 a.m.

Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.