The youth of a cross country team is generally seen as a team's notorious weakness.
However, the strength of the 2008 girls season will be highlighted by notable sophomore standouts.
Here are three who will get noticed:
● Sarah Miville, right, wowed her Ironwood Ridge teammates by stealing the title at her first 5A-II state meet, leading the Nighthawks to a team championship.
● Nogales' Zahira Jimenez finished third in her first 4A-I state championship and will start this season in the No. 1 spot.
● Rio Rico's Aeoleone Bristow earned a second-place finish in the 4A-II state meet, falling only to former teammate, graduate Hanna Henson.
Runners to watch
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• Aeoleone Bristow, So., Rio Rico: At the 4A-II state meet, Hanna Henson and Bristow made for a 1-2 finish to win the team title.
• Alex Evans, Sr., Sabino: Will start the season in the No. 2 position after a consistent junior season.
• Steven Gregg, Jr., Sabino: Will try and lead his team to region and state titles in back-to-back seasons.
• Zahira Jimenez, So., Nogales: All-conference, all-state racer finished third at state.
• Melanie McGrath, Sr., Catalina: Finished first in four of five season matchups before heading into regional and state contention.
• Sarah Miville, So., Ironwood Ridge: Helped the Nighthawks win the 5A-II state title after capturing the individual race.
• Jose Luis Muñoz, Jr., Rio Rico: Will fill the No. 1 roster spot this season after a ninth-place finish in the 4A-II state championship.
• Mario Portillo, Sr., Catalina: Portillo, who finished sixth in the 4A-II state meet, also earns kudos in track, running the 3,200 meters.
• Julia Restin, Sr., Salpointe Catholic: Took first place at the 5A-I Southern Region meet, finishing more than 50 seconds faster than second place.
• Jodine Steemers, Jr., Sierra Vista Buena: Clocked record paces on three local courses, including Buena's 3.1-mile course in 19 minutes 32 seconds.
• Konnie Zuniga, So., Nogales: Won the 4A Kino Region championship in her freshman season.
