Cross Country prepares for trip to Arizona
October 4, 2019
The cross country team is headed to Phoenix, Arizona, for the 61st Annual Thunderbird HS/Dave Doerrer Invitational tomorrow. The team has been practicing long hours and have been working hard to prepare for this race.
The cross country team has not been to the race in Arizona in previous years. The Thunderbird Invitational is the oldest and longest running invitational in the state, according to Athletic Net. The course is a 2.8 miles of grass with a few hills and is located at Mountain View Park in Phoenix, Arizona.
“We’ve been doing a lot of long distance workouts like tempo runs, four legs, a lot of things that would help us in the endpoint of our race,” senior Josue Basillo said.
This is their first out of state meet of the season.
“It’s Arizona, where we’ve never ran before, so we don’t know anyone [we’re competing against],” Basillo said. “… so it’s going to be different, kind of, like preparing [for a] state meet in a way…”
The whole team will be attending the race, rather than just the varsity team.
“Everyone is going, even injured people,” Basillio said. “I think it’s pretty cool because in recent years we haven’t had a whole team trip.”


![BUILDING THE FUTURE: Plans to build tennis courts and a new Performing Arts Center will be started and completed in the coming years. This will benefit students and athletes alike as they will enhance both the Athletic and Performing Arts Departments and bring much-needed venues and state-of-the-art spaces to campus. “You want to be rooted in that tradition of the school when [it comes to] these projects, we’ve always got to be innovating and moving forward,” Vice President of School Relations Scott Melvin said. Mock Renderings courtesy of Mater Dei High School.](https://thescarletscroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mater-Dei-Tennis-Court-and-PAC-e1780632956112-1200x672.jpg)

![GET UP Students laugh and dance at a school rally. All the events and rallies hosted by ASB help bring students together and make school an enjoyable place to be. Senior Maddy O’Connor believes ASB keeps everything together and the school spirit alive. “A lot of things wouldn't be as organized [without ASB] and it'd be kind of boring,” O’Connor said. “ASB brings joy to Mater Dei, and pretty much [all things] cool.”](https://thescarletscroll.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/HEIF-Image-1200x800.jpeg)
Charlie McGee • Jan 30, 2020 at 1:48 pm
I think this article was really good at explaining cross country. It seems very intense to run 2.8 miles. I am proud for our cross country team for their outstanding work.
Gina • Jan 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm
I think this is so cool that Mater Dei gets invited to this amazing event for cross country. It’s awesome that the whole entire team goes and supports each other!