With the Colorado State High School Track and Field Championships quickly approaching, the Dove Creek High School track teams appear to be in a good place.
Competing at the San Juan Basin League Championships in Grand Junction, May 9-10, the Bulldogs turned in several fine performances while qualifying several athletes for state.
Hoping to perform well in their final meet before state, the Dove Creek girls’ came through with solid results, finishing third behind Dolores and league champion Telluride.
Leading the way for Dove Creek, Corissa Guynes finished first in the 100-meter hurdles (16.80) and first in the 300 hurdles (48.13).
“(Corissa) ran her best times of the year,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Jason Fury. “I would say she is pretty comparable to where she was at this point last year.”
Guynes will compete individually in the 100-meter dash, the 100 hurdles and the 300 hurdles at the state meet.
Also performing well for the Bulldogs, Madison Young finished first in the shot put (36 feet, 4 ¼ inches) and third in the discus (106 feet, 5 inches). Young will compete in both events at the state meet.
“Madison set (personal bests) in both the shot put and the discus,” said Fury. “Her shot put throw was longer than the state record, but it did not count because state records have to be set at the state meet.”
Other top placers for the Bulldogs included Jessica Guynes, who finished third in the 400 (1:07.24), Shelbie Knuckles, who finished fourth in the 100 hurdles (18.16), Cortney Ogas, who finished fourth in the 1600 (6:08.24), and Kristin Knuckles, who crossed the line fifth in the 1600 (6:17.50).
Shelbie Knuckles, Kristin Knuckles and Jessica Guynes will all compete in individual events at the state meet.
Leading the girls’ team’s relays, the 4x800- made up of Kristin Knuckles, Shelbie Knuckles, Jennifer Fury and Ogas finished second (11:56.83).
Overall, the Bulldogs qualified the 4x100, 4x400, 4x800 and Sprint Medley relays for state.
Missing several of their top athletes who play baseball, the boys’ team was unable to perform to its full potential, yet the group acquitted themselves well.
Leading the way was Taylor Hankins, who second in the 300 hurdles (44.67) and third in the 200 (24.80). Hankins will compete in both events at state.
“(Taylor) ran really well. He’s ranked fourth (in the state) in the 300 hurdles and if he has a really good race, he’ll push the top-three.”
All of Dove Creek’s state qualifiers will travel to Lakewood, Colo. later this week to compete in the State Championships, which will take place, May 15-17.
