Chinle Wildcats seniors Alisia and Isaiah Honyumptewa have worked hard to get where they are today as ace distance runners.

The siblings are two of the top distance runners statewide, regardless of classification.

During the prestigious Doug Conley Cross-Country Invitational at Tempe's Shalimar Country Club course last Saturday, Alisia claimed third place among the state's top 102 racers, regardless of classification, in the girl's Elite Division. Alisia toured the challenging 5K terrain in 18:29. Junior Caroline McLeskey, of Gilbert Highland, was the champion, posting a 17:36.

Alisia said it is an honor to be on the same cross-country program with his brother, Isaiah.

"Being on the Chinle cross-country team and having my brother alongside me while running is a great opportunity, because we are able to succeed inside the classroom and out on the cross-country course," she said. "We are able to push each other educationally and sports wise."

Isaiah said his season is going great. He said he is putting in time and practice into getting faster and better.

Isaiah crossed the finish line in eighth place, clocking a 16:21 over the 5K course at the Doug Conley Invitational.

"So far I feel great about where I am," Isaish said. "I'm getting up earlier in the morning for runs and routines. I am using that to my advantage to better myself and get faster."

Alisia and Isaiah will be back in action, racing at the Desert Twilight Cross-Country Invitational in Casa Grande, this Friday. Schools from the Four Corners states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and from throughout the U.S. are expected to compete.

Alisia said to improve her times, she has to work hard and the days she doesn't want to work hard, she needs to work harder.

"Discipline and having fun is the philosophy I live by when it comes to my running," she said. "My personal goal this year is to break 18-minutes in the 5K and help Chinle girl's team become State Champions."

She said to reach her goal.she needs to train and know when it's time to recover to reduce injuries.

"I need to encourage my teammates to push no matter how hard or easy workouts or races may be," Alisia said. "Growing as a team will make our chances higher for winning the State Championship."

Isaiah said he has set a personal goal he hopes to accomplish.

"My personal goal this year is to take first place at the State Championship," Isaiah said. "I'm doing all that I can already by adding morning runs and eat healthy. I will have to not get injured through the remaining year."

Alisia said she is accomplishing her workouts throughout the week. She said she runs approximately 50 miles per week.

"Workouts for the week includes endurance training, core and strength building, as well as speed," Alisia said.

Isaiah noted that his last workout consisted of 4 x 1 mile at race pace. He said he averages between 50 to 60 miles per week.

Alisia hopes to improve at the State Championship. She finished fourth place, crossing the finish line in 19:36. As a sophomore, she finished 30th place, turning in a 20:36. She earned a berth at the state meet as a freshman, when she lived in Florida with her family.

Likewise, Isaiah earned a berth at state as a sophomore and junior. As a sophomore, he covered the course in 16:53 for 18th place at the state meet. As a junior, he improved to seventh place at the state meet. He completed the race in 16:35.

Alisia and Isaiah both said they plan to attend college and compete in cross-country and track. They said they are receiving interest from colleges from throughout the U.S. They haven't made a decision where they will attend college.