BAYFIELD – With Montezuma-Cortez starting to get their full complement of athletes from other winter activities, head coach Bob Archibeque and the Panthers are beginning to get a clearer picture of just how strong they’ll be this year.
The Panthers joined Dove Creek and Dolores at the Bayfield Invitational on Saturday, and each team collected their share of top performances. The meet also served as an early glimpse of the Intermountain League title race for M-CHS, with plenty of IML foes convening at Wolverine Country Stadium.
For the M-CHS boys, their sprinting depth was on full display, as the Panthers swept the 4x100 (44.75), 4x200 (1:32.96), and 4x400 (3:42.29) relays. M-CHS added individual wins in the long jump with senior Tay Wheat (20-3 3/4”) and senior Houston Hurst in the pole vault (12-0).
Hurst also added a second-place effort in the 400 meters (53.73) while junior Micah Stembridge took runner-up in the triple jump (38-3). Junior Wyatt Oliver claimed second in the 300 hurdles (44.14) and sophomore Trey Hall added a third-place leap in the high jump (6-2).
Senior Colby McMillian finished third in both the 100 (11.48) and 200 meters (23.64), and sophomore Asher Bennetts took third in both the 110 (17.90) and 300 hurdles (45.88).
The scoring flourish continued across a wide range of events on the track with three Panthers scoring in the 100, as well as two apiece in the 110 hurdles, 400, 800, and 3,200 races. M-CHS added more success in the field, where multiple Panthers tallied points in the long jump, high jump, triple jump and pole vault.
For the M-CHS girls, several first-place efforts highlighted the day, with freshman Faith Muzzy winning the 300 hurdles (53.13) and sophomore Tessa Jackson topping the high jump field (5-0). The Panthers also won the 4x200 relay (1:54.50), while the 4x400 relay took second (4:33.53) and the 4x100 relay claimed third (55.51).
Freshman Addison Spitzer took second in the 400 meters (1:07.40), while senior Olivia Yarbrough earned third in the high jump (4’ 8”), sophomore Hayden Matthias took fourth in both the hurdles events (19.70 – 100 meters, 56.49 – 300 meters), and senior Taylor Johnson finished fourth in the shot put (27-7¾).
M-CHS posted scorers in the discus, high jump, pole vault, and triple jump in the field events while adding points in the 200 and 1,600 to their hurdles haul on the track.
The Dolores boys and girls squads fared well in their outing, too, scoring in numerous events. The Bears accrued a pair of top billings, with junior Michael Rantz winning the 400 meters (53.28) and freshman Joseph Padilla taking home gold in the 3,200 (12:06.97).
DHS placed in each of the relays, with their top boys finishes coming in the 4x100 (third – 46.51) and 4x800 (third – 9:55.02). Junior Bridger Beyhan earned fourth in the 800 (2:23.38) for the Bears.
Meanwhile, the Dolores girls took second in multiple events, including the 4 x 800 relay (11:29.87), as well as from senior Coralea Wright (100 hurdles – 18.84) and senior Maya Lowe (800 – 2:48.52). Wright added a third place run in the 300 hurdles, while senior Elia Lowe matched that placement in the 800.
The Bears added a third-place run in the 4 x 200 relay (1:59.59) and freshman Jordyn Erautt tied classmate Madison Gapp for fourth in the 400 meters (1:14.07).
Dove Creek posted several scoring performances as well, led by senior Ralynn Hickman’s victory in the long jump (14-11¾). The Bulldogs added a fourth place 4x100 relay (57.63) and fifth-place finishes with senior Jessica Alexander in the 800 (2:56.18) and Ambrynn Huffaker in the long jump (13-3½).
In the boys competition, the Bulldogs notched several fifth-place efforts as well, with each of juniors Mason Forst (1,600 – 5:39.56), Jonathan Davis (800 – 2:24.03), and Daniel Gray (300 hurdles – 49.44) earning fifth in their respective disciplines.
Up next, many of the Four Corners schools will convene in Ignacio for the Abel Velasquez Invitational on Saturday, April 5 – a meet that has served as a good preview for the San Juan Basin League championships.
