Erik Boal – News – Preview

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Here are 10 storylines to follow Friday at the 16th annual Desert Twilight Festival at Coyote Run Golf Course at Leisure World in Mesa, Arizona.

Engelhardt pursuing exceptional double

Sadie Engelhardt has experienced plenty of success on the track in Arizona in recent years, with the sophomore standout from Ventura High in California crossing state lines to compete at the Desert Dream Last Hurrah in 2020, along with racing at Sundown Showdown events and the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational in 2021.

Engelhardt will look to make a big impact again competing under the lights in the girls sweepstakes race Friday at Coyote Run Golf Course at Leisure World in Mesa.

Engelhardt is not only looking to become the first California female athlete in meet history to secure a sweepstakes victory, but also trying to become the first girls competitor to triumph in the sweepstakes races at both the Woodbridge Classic Presented by ASICS and Desert Twilight Festival, widely regarded as the two elite evening high school cross country competitions in the United States.

Engelhardt prevailed Sept. 16 at Great Park in Irvine, Calif., running the fastest 3-mile effort at any venue in meet history by clocking 15 minutes, 42.6 seconds.

Engelhardt will look to challenge the meet’s all-time 5-kilometer performance of 16:23.4 established in 2015 by former Air Academy of Colorado standout Katie Rainsberger, who achieved the mark at the Grande Sports World Complex in Casa Grande.

California commanded the spotlight in 2020, when the meet was split into high school and unattached sections, along with being held at The Links Golf Course in San Tan Valley.

Newbury Park captured the boys unattached team title, with Colin Sahlman securing the individual victory. Sahlman, the fastest prep 5-kilometer cross country athlete in history, is now a freshman at Northern Arizona.

Great Oak earned the girls unattached team win, although Emily Van Valkenburg of Eastlake High in Washington was the individual champion, leaving the opportunity open for Engelhardt to make history as the first California female athlete to secure a sweepstakes victory in Arizona.

Colorado trio ready to clash for sweepstakes crown

Niwot High became the first Colorado boys team to capture a sweepstakes championship in meet history last year.

The Cougars have an opportunity Friday to become the first boys program to repeat as sweepstakes champions, but they will need to rebound following an…