by 
The 2015 Miner Cross Country Team includes from left (l-r) top: Tylo Montes,Carlos Salas, Patrick Lopez, Juan Ortega, Omar Gallego, Levi Schifferns; front, Rebekah Messing, Mariah Dockum, Andrea Castaneda, Esmeralda Zuniga, Yesenia Arcienega, Yasmin Salas. Not pictured is Brianna Galarza.
Maria Lopez | SMHS
San Manuel Miner
The San Manuel cross-country team features five returning seniors from a year ago, including team captains Andrea Castaneda and Patrick Lopez.
Despite the number of top returners, the Miners need to find replacements for eight departed starters.
“We have many new unexperienced runners this year,” Miner head coach Maria Lopez said. “They are ready to step up and fill last year’s starters’ spots to compete with Southern Arizona’s best.”
The Miners’ boys’ team and Andrea Castaneda from the girls’ side represented San Manuel at last season’s state championship, which took place at Cave Creek Country Club in Phoenix.
“Most of our runners had personal records and Andrea surpassed her previous state time and finished in the top 23,” Lopez said. “We have a tough training and competitive season, and would love to run again at state.”
Top Returners: Seniors-Andrea Castaneda, Patrick Lopez, Carlos Salas, and Juan Ortega
Returning Runners: Yesenia Arcienega (10), Rebekah Messing (10), Tylo Montes (11), and Omar Gallego (12).
Newcomers: Mariah Dockham(11),Levi Schifferns(12),Yasmin Salas(9), and Brianna Galarza(9).
Team Roster: Patrick Lopez (12), Andrea Castaneda (12), Carlos Salas (12), Yesenia Arcienega (10), Juan Ortega (12), Esmeralda Zuniga (11), Tylo Montes (12), Rebekah Messing (10), Levi Schifferns (12), Mariah Dockum(11), Omar Gallego (12), Yasmin Salas (9), Brianna Galarza (9)
2015 Schedule
Sept. 1 @ Benson Multi Meet
Sept. 9 SM Invitational
Sept. 11 @ Desert Solstice (Tucson)
Sept. 19 @ Old Pueblo Invitational (Tucson)
Sept. 30 @ Florence Multi Meet (Florence)
Oct. 10 @ Coolidge Invitational (Coolidge)
Oct. 14 SM Multi Meet
Oct. 20 @Justin Prevatte Cross Country Classic (Tombstone)
Oct. 22 @ Benson Invitational
Oct. 31 @ Div IV, Sect III Sectionals (Marana)
Nov. 7 Div IV State Championships (Cave Creek)
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by