KINGMAN - The long, winding trail of the cross country season is about to make the final turn before heading down the stretch.
The Kingman High boys and girls teams race against the 5A-II Northwest Region Saturday at Skunk Creek Linear Park in Phoenix.
"It's going to be tough," KHS coach Anne Bathauer said. "We've got strong teams in our region. For us, it's about experience so we can run well at state."
The Bulldogs last ran against competition Oct. 21 in Lake Havasu City against the Knights and Yuma Cibola. The boys finished third with 45 points behind Cibola's 37 and Havasu's 43, despite junior Jesse Peterson and sophomore David Haun finishing first and second, respectively.
Preston Hammond came in 11th, Shaun Wooten 13th and Dominic Tapia was 20th for the Bulldogs.
"We're getting stronger and figure to peak at state," Bathauer said. "We need to make sure we're pushing for state and not region."
Peterson battled sickness for several weeks prior to the race, but his time of 17:40 indicated he's rebounded from it. He's looking to post his best time of the season Saturday.
"I should do a lot better now that I've recovered," he said. "I should get another 17, and hopefully I'll get into the 16s."
The girls team managed to grab second in Havasu. The Knights dominated, with five runners scoring only 19 points, the Bulldogs amassed 54 and Cibola was third with 58. Freshman Paige Cardiff finished in second for KHS.
Myreel Pease took ninth, and Heather Paulsteiner was 12th for KHS. Tanisha Karn and Teyshia Solano rounded out the scoring for the Bulldogs.
Bathauer said Cardiff got lost on the course in Havasu, but she expects the fleet-footed freshman to be in contention Saturday.
"Paige knows the course and should be a top competitor," the coach said. "I'm really looking forward to see what she does."
Cardiff, who never ran cross country until this year, has absorbed a lot of information during her inaugural season. Cardiff said she's tried to run with the lead pack and has stayed behind it over the year. She may have narrowed down where she needs to excel.
"I've learned I really have to push through the second mile," she said. "I run the first and the third really well."
Though the Bulldogs want the most success possible for them at Saturday's region meet, they need it to be a stepping stone for the Nov. 7 state meet.
"We're focused on getting better as a team," Bathauer said. "We want to get our times peaking at state."
