Erin Hjerpe is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Horizon Honors through AZPreps365.com

Horizon Honors had three runners Trey Costello, Liam Proctor and freshman Mya Wells medaled for their the top-15 finishes in the boys and girls races at the Erin Botma Invitational in Chandler on Tuesday.

In the meet hosted by Valley Christian, the Eagles' top runner Costello finished 11th with an unofficial time of 19 minutes and 11 seconds. He was followed by Liam Proctor at 19:50.

"I challenged them to run under 20 minutes this meet," Horizon Honors head coach Dave Sheveland said.

After Well placed at 14th, she said, "I'm glad I medaled, but I could have gone faster."

Sheveland described Wells as an "insane athlete."

The afternoon heat scorched the Eagles, who normally do not practice during that part of day. Costello was also sore following the team's appearance at the Ojo Rojo Invitational last Saturday.

"I figured today was the day he struggled," Sheveland said. "We don't normally run in the afternoons so I'm OK with that.

The Horizon Honors boys finished 29th overall with 772 points at Ojo Rojo, in which Costello had a 17:16.6 time followed by Liam Proctor at 181st at 19:57.3.

Wells placed 60th at 21:57.1 and her only other female teammate Madelyn Longstreet's 25.49.9 time to finish 158th Ojo Rojo. Because there are just two girls on the Horizon Honors team, they are unable to compete in girls race team divisions, but can still compete as individuals in the varsity division.

Horizon Honors will be at the Western Equinox meet September 24th at Gilbert Freestone Park. Seven of the nine boys, as well as Well and Longstreet, will be varsity competitors and two boys will run in the open race. 

The team in pushing into fall break when its meet schedule becomes busier. The Eagles' most important meet is the Titan Invite in Queen Creek on October 13th. 

Sheveland said his goal for this season is to "take a team to state and put a banner in their gym." While they had individual boys go, there has never been a full Horizon Honors team qualify for the state team championship in 26 years. 

Sheveland added that this year's team is the best he's had in his six years as head coach.