Rio Rico sisters look to add team title to family resume

Allie, Samantha Schadler will race in a combined six events at Arizona state finals in an attempt to capture Hawks’ first team championship

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

Allie Schadler is one of the most decorated runners in Arizona history, with four Division 3 state cross country championships and seven career state titles on the track, including three in the 1,600 meters.

But the one missing achievement on the Rio Rico senior’s impressive resume is a team title, which means the University of Washington signee and her sophomore sister Samantha Schadler are going to do whatever it takes Friday and Saturday at the Arizona AIA Outdoor Championships at Mesa Community College in order to accomplish that goal.

Rio Rico finished second in Division 3 last year with 68 points, with Fountain Hills securing the championship with 91 points. The Hawks placed third in 2011 before Schadler’s arrival, but have never won a state track and field team title.

Allie Schadler won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, with Samantha Schadler adding a victory in the 800, in addition to both sisters contributing to titles in the 4x400 and 4x800 relays.

They plan to add a sixth event to their combined schedules this weekend, with Allie running the 400 and 1,600, Samantha in the 800 and 3,200, along with both relays.

Allie won the 800 in 2015 and the 3,200 last year, so a victory in the 400 would give her state championships in four individual events, plus the two relays. Samantha is seeking her first title in the 3,200.

Senior Halle DeWitt, who placed fifth in the 100 hurdles and seventh in the 300 hurdles last year, could be a significant contributor for Rio Rico, along with sophomore Kiara Laborin in the 800 after she placed seventh last season. Senior Victoria Valencia has the potential to make the 400 finals for the Hawks.

Fountain Hills returns seniors Kelsey Schultz and Erika Yost from last year’s championship lineup, but must overcome the graduation of Trista Smith and Leah Carillo in order to repeat.