Raiders tackle tough course in Shiprock, NM

by Jessica Walker
Contributing Writer
The Chieftain Invitational cross country meet in Shiprock, NM is not for the faint of heart. Anyone who has attempted to run the course can attest to its difficulty.
It’s a brutal course marked with punishing hills and an often scorching temperature. The Whitehorse High School cross country team is not daunted by those facts however, and took on the challenge this past Saturday, September 17.
Heidi Clark was the first Raider across the finish line, doing so in 24:50 for 24th place for the girls team. Lamiya Benally and Harmony Thomas followed Clark in 46th and 51st with times of 27:59 and 28:13.
Rounding out the varsity girl runners in consecutive places were Shantel Begay (57th with a time of 31:20), Hope Palmer (58th with a time of 35:10), and Haileigh Roberts (59th with a time of 41:17).
The Whitehorse boys were represented by just three runners. Ethan Begay finished first for the team, placing 34th overall in 20:44. Robryan Tapaha placed 66th in 29:16 and Brayden John placed 68th in 32:33.
The Raiders are set for a short trip north to Blanding to compete in the annual John Thornton Invitational this Friday, September 23. Races begin at 4 p.m.