MANCOS – One doesn’t become the Grand Champion Round Robin winner of the Montezuma County Fair without incredible dedication and passion for her craft.
Mancos senior Akima Kane takes that same level of commitment toward her secondary passion – competing in the shot put and discus events for the Bluejay track and field team – and is enjoying similarly resounding success.
Kane’s personal best of 27 feet, 1 inch at the Bluejays’ home meet resulted in her second shot put title this season, coupling with her runner-up toss in the San Juan Basin League championships.
“I find it fun just to see how far I can throw. My form has improved, but there are still things I’m working on,” Kane said.
Kane built her own pedigree for success in a completely different discipline – competing in livestock events – and carried her hard work and strength into the ring for the Bluejays.
“Carrying animal feed at home, it’s strength-training for me,” Kane said. “I love taking care of my animals, so the little things like hauling water, breaking ice, all that stuff helps me to feel strong, and it gives me motivation to throw.”
Working primarily in poultry and with rabbits, Kane won the Grand Champion title for Breeding in the 2023 Montezuma County Fair to join her Round Robin crown. Kane, who will study wildlife biology at Western Colorado University this fall, looks to carry her love for animals into her future endeavors.
“The 4H has always been in my family, and I’ve enjoyed connecting with the other people involved with it, and that’s carried over to track and field, too,” Kane said. “I love encouraging my teammates and the way that they support me.”
That approach also carried over to her duties as a manager for the Mancos girls basketball team during its 2A state tournament run. Now, her teammates lean on her for the big points she’s provided as part of the Bluejays run to their third straight SJBL team title. Her third-place finish in the discus boosted the Bluejay dominance in the throwing events.
With graduation looming, winding down her high school career, Kane prepares to turn the page onto another chapter in her life.
“It’s both exciting and sad, but holding on to the memories is something that keeps us going,” she said.
