By Don Ketchum

Rolonda Jumbo emerged from the pack and breezed to a victory in the Doug Conley Invitational cross-country meet on Oct. 9 at the Tempe Rolling Hills Golf Course. It served notice that she will have a strong chance to repeat as champion at the Class 3A state meet next month.

But that isn’t really any big revelation. Jumbo’s reputation for excellence is known far and wide, over every inch of ground the junior covers for defending state champion Chinle.

“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing and I think I will have a chance (to win the title again),’’ she said.

She had a course-record 18:34.78 at the Conley, which was pleasing for Chinle coach Shaun Martin to see.

“Last year, she was in the race, but she didn’t really race,’’ he said.

Martin said mental fatigue from an outstanding freshman season carried over a bit into her sophomore season last year. She won the state title as a freshman and competed in several national meets.

“All of that took her pretty much into April. We probably let her go out longer than we should have,’’ Martin said.

Now, it’s all good. Jumbo and her pigtails are pointed in the right direction.

About three weeks before the Conley, Jumbo won a meet at Page that included many of the top runners from northern Arizona. She also enjoyed the warm conditions in Tempe.

“I like running those hills,’’ she said.

She also enjoys school. She already is taking some advance-placement (AP) classes.

“It’s more work, but I like the challenge of it,’’ Jumbo said.

Said Martin: “She is a wonderful kid. Academically, you don’t have to worry about her at all.’’

Many of the people from back home follow her and the team every step of the way. They were on hand for the Conley.

“It helps us a lot. It’s nice to have that support,’’ she said.

That includes her family, in particular her father, Jerrison, a former runner for Chinle.

When Rolonda was in the fourth grade, she brought home a form for him to sign, allowing her to play football.

Sorry, no way. But if she wanted to run, he was happy to give her his blessing.

She hasn’t stopped since, and doesn’t expect to any time soon.