Cross Country


He struggled in his early years, but developed into a solid leader.

Region races are important because everyone wants bragging rights as region champ. But to teams that got off to a slow start or have almost exclusively region games the rest of the way they are the lifeline to extending the football season to at least Veteran\\\'s Day. Gilbert High fits the above description. The Tigers, who dropped their first three games this season, have bounced back to win three of their last four. They had region foe Basha on the ropes in their loss during the past four-game stretch for a little better than a half before the wheels came off after intermission. The Tigers have been forced into playoff mode ever since.

It is not easy for athletes to follow in the footsteps of a successful sibling. For Cory Breinholt, he has experienced a double helping of that pie. Breinholt, a senior completing his fourth varsity season running cross country at Highland High, watched brothers Craig and Derek achieve at a high level in the sport. Craig, who ran from 2002-2004, was the individual state champ in 5A his senior year (2004). Derek peaked at No. 3 in the state his senior season (2007) and collected three top-10 finishes overall at state.