Local cross country runners honor John Thornton legacy almost 30 years after passing

by Jessica Walker
Contributing Writer
To almost every runner who has come through San Juan High School in the last three decades, the name and story of John Thornton is familiar.
John was a talented four-sport Bronco athlete who competed on the baseball, basketball, track, and cross country teams. Tragically, he was killed just months after his graduation in 1993.
Years ago, before every home meet, we were told about John by former teammates and community members who knew him well. They spoke highly of his dedication and talent in the sport, but they spoke even more about who John was as a person.
They spoke of how willing he was to help those in need and his ability to help those around him feel comfortable. He always included those around him in all that he did and was constantly inviting people to come and run.
It was a testament to us that although our performance and drive on the course were important, even more important was who we are off the course. There were few who were not inspired by his story and legacy.
The John Thornton Invitational gives athletes an annual opportunity to honor John and remember what it really means to be a successful athlete.
It also allows the San Juan cross country team the ability to do as John did and invite others from all different places and circumstances to come and run.
Several teams, some for the first time, accepted the invitation this year to compete in the event, which took place this past Friday, September 23.
San Juan
Leading the San Juan High School boys team to a second-place finish just three points behind Monticello was Edward Lyman. He sped across the finish line to win the race by a comfortable 15 seconds with a time of 16:52.
In fifth and tenth places were Abe Lyman who finished in 17:29 and Ryan McCullough who finished in 18:29. Following McCullough was Toby Ward who finished in 15th with a time of 18:43.
Sophomore Austin Pincock, who has shown marked improvement this season, came in next in 18th with a time of 18:46. Pincock’s time is a personal record, thirty seconds faster than his previous best.
Rounding out the boys varsity team was Noah Begay in 22nd with a time of 19:01 and Tayden Bitsoie in 24th with a time of 19:06. Both Begay and Bitsoie also set new personal records on the course.
The Bronco girls team finished third at their home meet, led by freshman Brinley Jones in 16th place with a time of 24:27. Close behind were Leah Castellon and Saylor Perkins who finished in 17th and 18th.
Castellon came home with a time of 25:15 with Perkins finishing just three seconds later in 25:18. All three athletes had amazing performances with Jones and Castellon setting new personal bests and Perkins recording a season-best time.
Rose Kartchner also set a new personal best with a time of 26:49 and a 28th-place finish. Kartchner was followed by Taryn Nielson in 34th with a time of 27:51, Megan Black in 28th with a time of 30:15, and Jessie Black in 41st with a time of 31:53.
The Broncos will compete next in Mancos at the Chicken Creek Invitational on Saturday, October 1.
Whitehorse
The Whitehorse Raiders also put up a strong showing at the John Thornton Invite, with the girls finishing fifth and the boys coming home seventh.
First to come in for the girls was sophomore Lamiya Benally. She finished 19th with a time of 25:24 and was followed by Hannah Clark in 24th with a time of 25:50.
Behind Clark was Harmony Thomas who crossed the finish line in 29th with a time of 26:56. Shantel Begay and Samara Begay came in next in 35th and 39th with times of 28:09 and 30:17.
Hope Palmer and Haileigh Roberts were sixth and seventh for the team with times of 32:40 and 36:48 and overall placings of 42nd and 45th.
The boys team was again led by freshman Ethan Begay who finished 20th in 18:54. Fellow freshman Elam Etsitty finished hot on Begay’s heels in 23rd place with a time of 19:06.
Robryan Tapaha finished after Etsitty in 57th with a time of 23:07. Tapaha was followed by Phoenix Chee in 74th with a time of 30:38 and Dante Silas in 78th with a time of 38:49.
Monument Valley
The Cougars were few in number in Blanding with only five runners total. Although they lacked the five runners in each gender needed to score as a team, they were still able to compete individually.
On the boys side, Isaiah Singer was the first Monument Valley finisher. He sped across the line in 20:49 and 39th place.
Singer was followed by Keshawn Atene and Shonlee Stanley who finished in 52nd and 73rd with times of 22:21 and 30:11. Ammon Wero rounded out the boys team in 79th with a time of 54:39.
The lone female harrier competing on the Blanding course was senior Lillianna Fatt and she finished in 14th with a time of 24:25.
Among these three teams, Whitehorse is set for the busiest week. They’ll compete in the Red Rock Invitational in Moab on Wednesday, September 28.
San Juan will join the Raiders in Mancos, CO at the Chicken Creek Challenge. Monument Valley is off until October 8 when they head to Kayenta, AZ for the Kayenta Invitational.