Wayne High Boys XC Win First State Title, Girls Place 3^rd

By Lane Sorensen

As Wayne High sophomore, Miles Guerrero, crossed the finish line at the 1A State Cross-Country Championships at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City, he couldn’t believe what he had just accomplished. He had just taken 2^ndplace in a very tough State race with a time of 17:21.2, only 4.5 seconds behind the 1A champion, Luke Reeder, from Panguitch. 

“My mindset was very focused on never letting the first runner more than a stride ahead of me. I knew what had to be done for our team and for myself. It was game time,” Guerrero said about what his game plan was going into the race. 

It was in this moment that Guerrero turned around to see where his other teammates were, and to his astonishment they were not too far behind. Reed Edwards was the second Wayne runner across the finish line, placing sixth with a time of 18:00.8. The next two scoring runners for Wayne, Jace Edwards and Riley Edwards, placed 12^th(18:30.5) and 13^th(18:32.8), respectively. This strong performance brought Wayne a score of 33, which was more than enough for them to capture their first ever boys state cross-country championship. 

“The thrill of seeing my teammates cross the finish line so close together was moving. As I saw our fourth runner finish, I knew we had done it. We were state champs. The entire season stacked upon that moment. The reality of what we had just done hit me. We had done it and I burst out in tears,” Guerrero said about what that moment was like when he realized that his team had done something that had never been done in school history. 

As the team embraced and shouted in excitement, the many hours and miles that they had put into the season suddenly became worth it. 

On Monday, September 23^rd, Loa Elementary welcomed a visit from Utah State Senator Ralph Okerlund.

Superintendent Dr. John M. Fahey and School Board President Curtis Whipple were on hand as Principal Cherie Blackburn gave the senator a tour of the school.

Among the highlights of Senator Okerlund’s visit was a demonstration of physical and chemical reactions from the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum in Mrs. Barlow’s 5^th grade class, as well as interactions with the school’s students and staff.

Senator Okerlund, District 24’s State Senator since 2008, and the State Senate Majority Leader since 2013, took a keen interest in the school’s facilities and resources, while asking what the state senate could do to aid in helping districts, administrators, and teachers to better educate Utah’s students.

“As the state with more students per capita than any other, education is always going to be a major focus,” Okerlund said. “Anything we can do to help prepare our children to be competitive after graduation, we’re going to do.”

Wayne School District and Loa Elementary would like to thank Senator Okerlund for visiting, and for showing such a genuine interest in educational issues. 

Wayne High is off to a superstar of a year! Our theme this year is “Stars in the Making.” In the first day of school, all students received a care package of popcorn, a pencil, and a sticker. Opening assembly included introductions of new students and welcome games for freshmen.

The student body officers hosted a game night and dance after the volleyball and baseball games on Wednesday, August 21. We had a great turnout, and we hope to keep the activities rolling. Spirit Week and an awesome Spirit Dance are in the works. Be in the lookout for more information.