All eyes were on Page runners Symond Martin and Jade Reid going into this year’s Lake Powell Cross Country Invitational. Earlier this year, Martin won the Peaks Invitational and the Chinle Invitational, and placed third at Ojo Rojo and third at the Carlsbad Grit and Grind. Martin is currently ranked fourth among Division III runners. He was the top-ranked freshman for most of the year last season. 

Reid won the Chinle Invitational earlier this year and is currently ranked ninth among Division III runners.

Martin and Reid did not disappoint. They led the field at this year’s Lake Powell Cross Country Invitational, each placing first at the varsity level.

Page hosted teams from Chinle, Tuba City, Whitehorse, Pinon and Kayenta at this year’s event. The course began on Lake View Primary’s north playground and from there went to Potato Hill and returned to the Lake View.

As a team, the varsity boys team placed second behind Chinle. Pinon placed third, Tuba City fourth, Kayenta fifth and Whitehorse sixth. For the varsity girls, Chinle placed first, Tuba City second, Whitehorse third, Pinon fifth and Kayenta fifth.

The boys Runnin’ Devils had four runners finish in the top 10. Symond Martin finished first, Nyall Prather placed fourth, Elijah Reed placed seventh and Max Reid placed ninth. Bryce Williams placed 23rd, Alek Scott placed 25th and Ty Lefthand placed 26th.  Jaiden Jordan, who usually finishes third in such meets, is out with a hip injury.

Due to injuries, the girls Runnin’ Devils had only three runners compete at the Lake Powell Invitational this year. Jade Reid placed first, Sloan Saige placed 19th and Terolyn Begay placed 25th.

“Everyone ran pretty good overall,” said Sand Devils cross country head coach Tim Martin. “Symond ran lights out, breaking the course record by 30 seconds. Overall, everyone ran faster than they did last year.”

As the cross-country season approaches the finish line, Martin is concentrating on keeping his team healthy to have a productive post-season. 

“We’re hoping Jaiden Jordan recovers because we need him in the top five for us,” Martin said. 

Another runner to keep an eye on is Nyall Prather, who is the fourth-ranked freshman and fifth overall in Division III.

The Page boys teams is the defending state champions. They also won the state championship in 2019.

Middle School

The Page Middle School boys varsity team performed very well at Saturday’s meet, with three of its runner finishing in the top five. Noah Reid placed third, Justin Rivers placed fourth and Max Martin placed fifth. 

Peyton Seimy placed finished 25th, Kyan Scott placed 28th, Luke Reid placed 30th and Taylon Secody finished 32nd.

For the Page Middle School girls team, Mackenzie Bedonie placed 27th, Maya Cambridge placed 29th, Star Yazzie placed 37th, Kelli Yellowman placed 52nd and Kasiya Akee placed 53rd.