Joseph City had three athletes qualify to compete in the Division IV State Cross Country meet held on Saturday in Cave Creek. Talon Smith finished fifth overall in the boys race with a time of 16:34. Smith was only 29 seconds behind first place finisher Jordan Black from North Phoenix Prep.

Jacob Bushman also qualified for the state championship race and finished in 101st overall place with a time of 19:27. One hundred seventy-nine runners completed the 3.1 mile course.

Northland Prep took the team title with 37 points, followed by Hopi with 67, and North Phoenix Prep finished third with 142 points.

Kaylie Gardner was the lone female Wildcat to qualify for the state meet and she finished in 68th position overall with a time of 23:55. One hundred-fifty runners completed the Division IV girls race which was won by Aliandrea Upshaw from St. Michaels.

Upshaw’s team also took the overall team title with 63 total points. Hopi finished second and Chandler Prep was third place.