SPORTS
Beyond the finish line Charves’s story is one of persistence and humility. Around school, he’s known for his calm demeanor and quiet humor. Many of his teachers have also been his coaches through the years, helping him balance academics, athletics and personal growth. He particularly enjoys his project-based learning class in construction and design with Mr. Dye, where he applies the same patience and focus that fuel his running. As for the now-famous cowboy hat and Pit Viper sunglasses, those came during the club season of his freshman year. “I just wanted to have fun with it,” Charves laughed. “I wear it to the tent, run the race, and put it back on for awards.” The look caught on — runners from other schools have even started copying him. The road ahead This year marks another milestone for A+ Charter’s cross country program. What was once a small group of runners — often too few to qualify for a team score — has grown into a thriving program with more than 20 athletes from 6th through 11th grade. For the first time, A+ Charter has a full varsity boys’ team, which has already placed second multiple times this season and looks to finish on the podium at the CAA State Championships Nov. 8. For all his accomplishments, Charves remains grounded. “I just want to be the best runner I can possibly be and try to achieve more than I can imagine,” he said.
Noah Charves, pictured competing in cross country (below right) and track (below left) for A+ Charter Schools, earned an invitation to compete against top runners from Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah at the Nike Cross Country Southwest Regional on Nov. 22 in Mesa after finishing among the top five individual high school runners in Arizona.
be ready — calm, focused and running for something bigger than himself, inspiring the next generation of Maricopa runners. And of course, the cowboy hat and sunglasses won’t be too far away. SPONSORED CONTENT
As he continues training through the streets of Maricopa, Charves isn’t just building speed. He’s building a legacy of hard work, humility and quiet excellence. And when the next starting gun sounds at the state championship, the state champ will
InMaricopa.com | November 2025
November 2025 | InMaricopa.com
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