Daniel Ochoa is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Xavier College Preparatory for AZPreps365.com

In one of the biggest meets in the country, Xavier Prep’s Goforth finished atop her teammates in the Girls Sweepstakes race and Silva finished eighth overall in the Girls Large School Open race.

Goforth placed 52nd in a tough Sweepstakes race with girls running under 17 minutes. Goforth had just come off her best finish of the season (18:06.1) at the Woodridge High School Cross Country Classic in California and came here to put up an 18:50.84 time.

Although Goforth wasn’t able to mirror her last performance, she’s proven to be a leader and the top runner for Xavier as she’s had her fair share of work since seventh grade.

“This year, I’ve realized I belong here,” Goforth said. “I’m here and I’m ready to compete and I have the ability to do that.”

Goforth shows her competitiveness on the course and, as many other runners do, with a little spew after the race.

“I like to leave it all out there,” Goforth laughed.

The runners that followed Goforth in the Sweepstakes race were senior Hannah Wheeling (19:44.49) and senior Catherine Alaimo (19:47.96).

In the Girls Open race, Silva shined with a time of 20:47.15 to take home a medal.

Silva was coming off a fourth-place finish at the Woodridge Classic to help cement a third consecutive win for Xavier in the Open races — in which runners from any grade level are allowed — and was hoping to gain a fourth at Twilight, but fell short to a strong Colorado Niwot High School.

There was a slower start for Silva as she began to lead her Xavier teammates at around the mile marker when she passed senior Karime Morales, who finished 12th with a time of 21:01.18.

“I started out in the front for the mile and second mile at the California meet and knowing that I could hold the front and be able to contend with the front people made me want to get out front [tonight],” Silva said.

Her slower start allowed her to relax herself and gain those extra boosts throughout the race to help pace her teammates and get through to the front.

“I usually relax myself and tell myself, ‘This is 3.1 miles, I have potential and I have time to be able to relax, get into my pace and then eventually pass people,’” Silva said. “I’m able to be the underdog that comes up through the different girls that may be slowing down… and just know the race isn’t over till it’s over.”

Xavier coach Davis VanSickle said after the meet that many of his girls had ran personal records and the practice of out of state meets and competition from other states enhances the way his girls run.

“We’re getting acclimated to running faster,” VanSickle said. “If you start too early in your season, you might not get all that in the end of the season, so it’s just another step.”

VanSickle and the Xavier Gators look to take their next step at the Thunderbird Invitational on Oct. 2 to get his girls ready for State.