GLENDALE — The Lady Knights did what they’ve done all season long, put up the scores that count.

David Bell/News-Herald Photo, File. Havasu’s Kaylie Sanchez makes her way out of the trails toward the finish line during a dual meet against Yuma Kofa at Lake Havasu State Park on Oct. 5. Sanchez and the Lady Knights finished fifth in the Division I Cross Country Sectional Friday in Glendale, qualifying the Lady Knights for next week’s state finals.

The Lake Havasu High School girls cross country team finished fifth in the Arizona Interscholastic Association Division I Sectional at Glendale’s Grand Canal Linear Park, giving the Lady Knights a berth in next week’s state finals.

Havasu faced off against 18 teams in the sectional. The top nine advanced to state.

“It was a pretty hot day, but I thought we were doing well running as a tight group” Havasu head coach Erika Washington said. “We knew the top 20 runners qualified for state as individuals so we were watching after Lynsey (Ryan) came in. We’re excited to go as a team.”

Ryan was the top runner for Havasu, finishing 19th in an approximate time of 20:42.

“Lynsey always rises to the level of competition,” Washington said.

Following Ryan for the Lady Knights was Kaylie Sanchez in 27th in 21:49, Jeannette Campos in 42nd in 23:13, Aimee Wakulinski in 50th in 24:39, Jamie McCoy in 51st in 24:48, Ashlee Milacki in 55th in 25:02, and Alyssa Hankins in 66th in 26:20.

All times are approximate. AIA official times were not yet posted when Today’s News-Herald went to press.

The boys’ team just missed out on a state berth, finishing 11th out of 18 teams.

“I’m pleased with their times,” Washington said. “We were hoping to have better finishes but I can’t complain. They finished the season on a fairly good note.”

Anthony Smith was Havasu’s top runner, finishing 53rd in 17:53. He was followed by

Conner Kassik in 69th in 18:30, Kyle Staples in 70th in 18:31, Brandon Neskahi in 82nd in 19:06, Tristan Jandrew in 85th 19:19, Tyler Salter in 103rd in 21:42, and Miles Nelson in 109th in 22:24.

“There was some very strong competition in the boys’ race. The No. 1 runner was just over 15 minutes,” Washington said.

With the season coming to a close and just one week to get ready for state, Washington said there’s little fine tuning the for the Lady Knights.

“At this point there’s not too much we can do. We’re at where we are at,” she said. “We can just go out and try to finish with personal bests.”

The state finals take place next Saturday at noon at the Cave Creek Golf Course in Phoenix.