After a Mexican Independence Day — Dia de la Independencia Mexicana — event was already booked at Kennedy Park on Saturday, Sunnyside cross country coach Marco Rodriguez was faced with the possibility of having to cancel this year’s long-standing Los Mezquites Race the school annually hosts at this time of year.
“We wanted to keep it scheduled because how important the meet is to all of us,” said Rodriguez, who switched the date to Friday knowing many high schools were unable to participate because it occurred on a school day.
This year’s event took on added meaning with legendary Sunnyside and Pima cross country coach Jim Mielke passing away last week from kidney failure.
His nephew Mark Mielke traveled to Tucson from Las Vegas to take part in the event, which included an emotional tribute before the races began.
Jim Mielke was honored with large posters that read, “Always on our minds” and “Forever in our hearts,” a table with his photos surrounding roses and a moment of silence in which white heart-shaped balloons were released.
Sunnyside’s traditional entertainment of mariachi music along with folklorico dancers performed when the event began close to 8:30 a.m.
Emotional tribute here at the 31st Los Mezquites Race for legendary Jim Mielke, cross country coach with @Sunnyside_Track and @PimaTrack_Field who passed away last week at 86 from kidney failure. Mielke coached Sunnyside to its first state title in 1975 and Pima to its first… pic.twitter.com/aAL9fADYFk
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) September 15, 2023
Nine schools, including Sunnyside, took part in the boys and girls junior varsity and varsity races.
Rincon/University’s girls and boys team emerged as the varsity team champions.
The runners covered a 5K course at Kennedy Park.
GIRLS TEAM CHAMPIONS: RINCON/UNIVERSITY
BOYS TEAM CHAMPIONS: RINCON/UNIVERSITY
INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONS
BOYS NON-VARSITY
First: Fernando Cortez, Rio Rico (20:48.7)
BOYS VARSITY
First: Jorge Felix Valle, Nogales (17:36.1)
Never too late to achieve:@NogiAthletics senior Jorge Felix Valle finished first in the Los Mezquites Race this morning, completing the 5K race in 17:36.1. He started running last year after playing football his first two seasons. Now, he has a collegiate future in cross country… pic.twitter.com/5ax03vRk6K
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) September 15, 2023
Second: Miike Lagat, Rincon/University (17:43.8)
Rincon/University senior Miika Lagat, son of Arizona cross country coach Bernard Lagat (a world-class runner who most recently competed in the 5K race at the 2016 Rio Olympics), finished second in the 5K Los Mezquites Race in 17:43.8. pic.twitter.com/Phus9pfuMc
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) September 15, 2023
GIRLS NON-VARSITY
First: Ximena Barnett, Nogales (26:48.3)
Photo: Javier Morales/AllSportsTucson.com
GIRLS VARSITY
First: Abigail Kurgat, Rincon/University (22:10.3)
Second: Amelie Lappiere, Rincon/University (22:24.9)
Rincon/University’s Abigail Kurgat (right in the video) and Amelia Lapierre finished in the top two spots of the girls varsity Los Mezquites Race at Kennedy Park. Kurgat finished the 5K course in 22:10.3 and Lapierre in 22:24.9. Kurgat placed first the second consecutive year. pic.twitter.com/JIQ9n7LjiW
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) September 15, 2023
SUNNYSIDE SENIOR TRIBUTE
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ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He is a former Arizona Daily Star beat reporter for the Arizona basketball team, including when the Wildcats won the 1996-97 NCAA title. He has also written articles for CollegeAD.com, Bleacher Report, Lindy’s Sports, TucsonCitizen.com, The Arizona Republic, Sporting News and Baseball America, among many other publications. He has also authored the book “The Highest Form of Living”, which is available at Amazon. He became an educator five years ago and is presently a special education teacher at Gallego Fine Arts Intermediate in the Sunnyside Unified School District.
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