For Mancos High School track teams, early season is producing opportunities to learn.
Although neither the girls or boys team placed particularly well at the Piedra Vista Invitational on March 15, the meet provided them with experience.
Boys score Top 10 finishes
Pacing the Bluejays with an impressive fourth-place finish, Ro Paschal kicked off his season on a positive note, completing the 800-meter run in 2:14.24.
"For only having one week under his belt, he did outstanding," said Bluejays head coach Adam Priestley.
Also recording a Top 10 finish for the Bluejays was Ty Koppenhafer, who, fresh off the high school basketball season, finished eighth in the shot put (37 feet, 7 inches).
Other Bluejays cracking the top 15 included Anthony Reiners, who finished 14th in the 200 (26.11) and Steven Rohweder, who finished 15th in the shot put (33 feet, 7 inches).
Axel Bonde finished 19th in the 200 (26.74), and the Bluejays' 4x400 relay team composed of Bonde, Paschal, Adrian Hernandez and Justin Burton finished fourth (4:05.76).
"For our second track meet, I liked the effort," said Priestley. "It was cold, it was nasty, and everybody went out and did what they needed to do."
Girls flash potential
Leading the way for the Bluejays girls was Kristin Adams, who, showing solid speed, finished 17th in the 400 (1:15.58). Adams also finished 30th in the 200 (32.69).
"Potentially, (Adams) has a really good chance to do well this year," said Priestley.
Also performing well for the Bluejays was Jessica Gutierrez, who finished 27th overall in the long jump (11 feet, 9 3/4 inches).
Rounding out the Bluejays top finishers was Brandi Bundy, who finished 28th in the 100 (14.57).
The Bluejays plan to put in a solid week of practice before heading to Aztec on March 21 for the Aztec Ice Breaker.
"We're going to work on conditioning and try to get people in the right places," said Priestley.
