The author takes on a section of the Cocodona 250.
The author takes on a section of the Cocodona 250.
In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, I (Alynn Davis), a deaf ultrarunner, returned to the relentless, grueling terrain of the Cocodona 250 for a second attempt. I pushed farther than ever before, endured pouring rain during the first three days and nights, trudged through unforgiving mud and nearly washed downstream in the Verde River at one point.
As if that wasn’t enough fun, it even snowed and hailed.
Alynn Davis is a Flagstaff resident who proves that the finish line isn't the only mark of triumph. She pushes through relentless terrain and brutal conditions, not necessarily emerging with a medal, but with a powerful story of grit and growth.
Rachel Smith is a professional runner and amateur mother. She is also the coordinating editor for this column and encourages people to send their stories to her at [email protected].
The 2025 football schedules for the Coconino Panthers and the Flagstaff Eagles were posted onto AZPreps365 this week, with the rivalry games between the schools both scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 30. Read moreCoconino-Flagstaff football rivalry games scheduled for Oct. 30
The path to continue in athletics after high school is one with many twists and turns, but also full of dead ends. Coconino running back Fernando Ramirez found an unconventional route to keep … Read moreCoconino's Fernando Ramirez finds opportunity with the Salt River Scorpions
Earning a pair of Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year awards for both the men's and women's outdoor track and field seasons, head coach Mike Smith will complete his tenure at Northern Arizona… Read moreNAU ROUNDUP: Mike Smith caps off tenure with two more coach of the year awards
Entering the 2025 Flagstaff Little League AAA City Tournament as the top two seeds, FLL AAA Teal Snake and FLL AAA Flag met for the third time this season in Monday’s championship game. Read moreFlagstaff Little League Teal Snake earns 2025 AAA City Tournament title
Flagstaff Little League capped off its first year with an instant classic Monday night at Dawson Field, as the inaugural Majors City Tournament within the FLL came down to the final inning. Read moreFlagstaff Little League Gray outlasts FLL White to win 2025 Majors City Tournament
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Northern Arizona will send four men and five women to the national championships in Eugene, Oregon. Read moreNAU track and field qualifies 9 for NCAA outdoor championship meet
Newly hired NAU women's hoops head coach Laura Dinkins finalized her coaching staff ahead of the season. Read moreNAU ROUNDUP: Dinkins announces women's basketball coaching staff
For Tyrone Johnson, Teagan Martin’s progression from a wide-eyed freshman on varsity into one of the top basketball players in the state traces back to the lessons she learned early on in her … Read moreFlagstaff's Teagan Martin named Daily Sun Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year; to continue career at Pima
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This week, the author talks about the good, bad and ugly of taking on the Cocodona 250. Read moreHigh Country Running: No finish, no problem: just friends with Cocodona
Throughout June, the Arizona Nike Swim Camp and the Arizona Altitude Cross Country Camp will take place at NAU. Read moreLOCAL ROUNDUP: Nike swim camp, cross country camp to take place at Northern Arizona University
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Coconino High School's Wylan Smith and Bruce Larsen, Flagstaff High School's Colt McCallie and Northland Prep's Aaron Nicol all returned to the Valley this past weekend for the Arizona Decathl… Read moreFour local athletes compete at Arizona Decathlon/Heptathlon State Championships
While the weather for the marathon turned for the best for the runners, the pacers provided some challenges for Chelangat her first time out competing at 26.2 miles. Read moreNAZ Elite's Chelangat wins marathon debut in Ottawa
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The first set of results from the Majors City Tournament are in. Read moreFlagstaff Little League Red outlasts FLL White in extra innings for city tournament victory
The Northern Arizona men's and women's track and field teams are set to be well-represented in the NCAA West Preliminary Round throughout the weekend. Read moreNAU ROUNDUP: Lumberjacks send 29 athletes, 2 relay teams to NCAA West preliminary round
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FHS's two primary pitchers earned conference recognition, while one NPA baseball player landed on the 2A list. Read moreFlagstaff's Iniguez, Carpenter earn 4A Conference honors; NPA's Cosper named 2A honorable mention
Celebrating the top performers and the most impactful athletes on and off the field from the Flagstaff-Coconino rivalry through the past decade, the 10th annual FlagCoco Awards were held at Co… Read more10th annual FlagCoco Awards celebrate 8 graduating seniors from Coconino and Flagstaff high schools
Flagstaff Little League’s City Majors Tournament begins on Tuesday, the first edition of the annual event following the merger of Continental Little League and West Flagstaff Little League. Read moreFlagstaff Little League set for first city tournament with merged leagues
With Watkins’s softball career tracing back to when she was about 9 years old, it will now continue on as she signed her letter of intent to join Yavapai College. Read moreFlagstaff's Hallie Watkins continuing softball career at Yavapai College
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The new 30K route will have a challenging climb onto the slopes of the grass-covered Government Knolls. Read moreHigh Country Running: Introducing the new Soulstice Beale 30k race
NAZ Elite head coach Jack Mullaney has a hunch about this weekend. Read moreNAZ Elite This Week: Chelangat charging into marathon debut in Ottawa
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A trio of Panthers led the way as Coconino nearly swept the 4A Conference's individual awards. Read moreCoconino softball nearly sweeps 4A Conference awards, Flagstaff earns two All-Conference honors
While the Coconino Panthers reached the postseason in three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019, including an appearance in the final six of the 4A Conference state tournament in 2018, the can… Read moreCoconino softball seniors conclude dominant careers with 4A Conference championship
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The Flagstaff Eagles have come up shy of a 4A Conference title after a Cinderella run. Read moreFlagstaff Eagles fall to Salpointe Catholic, 8-0, in 4A Conference baseball championship
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Bringing together the top performers from across the state, regardless of classification, the two-day state meet began on May 16 at Mesa Community College. Read moreLOCAL ROUNDUP: Flagstaff High School athletes compete at AIA open state track and field championships
NAU wrapped up the meet with 16 individual Big Sky champs, as well as golds in two relay events. Read moreNAU Roundup: Lumberjacks track and field teams sweep Big Sky Conference outdoor titles
This is the fifth year NAH has offered the low-cost screenings to student-athletes, who must complete a preseason physical to participate in all sports. Read moreNorthern Arizona Healthcare offering $10 sport physicals in June
Photographer Hattie Loper was down in Tempe to document the Coconino Panthers softball team winning the state title in walk-off fashion on Saturday night. Read moreGallery: Coconino Panthers softball wins 4A Conference state championship
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TEMPE --Â It may be quite a while until the state of Arizona sees a team as resilient as the 2025 Coconino Panthers. Read moreCoconino softball walks off once again, beating Salpointe Catholic 2-1 to secure 4A state title
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Mark James recalls taking a spill -- or taking flight -- during a downhill section of the Imogene Pass Run. Read moreHigh Country Running: Taking flight at Imogene Pass Run
TEMPE -- In the words of Coconino manager Kimberly Dennis, the Panthers had the No. 2 Salpointe Catholic Lancers right where they wanted them. Read moreCoconino softball wins 4A Conference state championship with 2-1 walk-off victory against Salpointe Catholic
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