Racing along familiar trails near Chicken Creek on Sept. 28, several local runners representing teams from Mancos, Montezuma-Cortez and Dolores high schools performed well at the Chicken Creek Challenge.
Leading the way for the Mancos boys team was sophomore Edgar Hernandez, who ran near the front of the 5K competition from start to finish and finished third overall with a time of 20:14.
Close behind Hernandez were senior John Lund, who placed fifth with a time of 20:26, and sophomore Connor Sehnert, who crossed the line in sixth place with a time of 20:36.
Rounding out members of the Mancos varsity team who finished were sophomore Vanfasai Jaijong, who placed 21st (24:33), and freshman Zack Steele, who finished 31st (25:58).
The Bluejays placed second in the team standings of the five-team meet behind Monticello High School.
“Our boys had two runners, Stephen Knezek and Zack Steele, run for the first time this season, and they ran pretty well,” Mancos head coach Brady Archer said. “We now have a few weeks to get them up to speed before regionals, where I know they will help the team.”
Showcasing a roster that featured four freshmen and one sophomore, the Dolores High School boys cross-country team finished fourth in the team standings while showcasing vast improvement and impressive potential.
Leading the way for the Bears was freshman Michael Brafford, who finished 14th with a time of 22:33. Second across the line for the Dolores team was sophomore Daniel Vandever, who placed 25th with a time of 24:43.
Other finishers for Dolores included freshman Triston Scott, who finished 29th with a time of 25:28, and freshman Keegan Heaton, who placed 30th with a time of 25:55. Freshman Kyler Acree placed 42nd with a time of 39:06.
Pacing Montezuma-Cortez High School from start to finish was senior Givoanni Carta, who placed 22nd with a time of 24:17.
Sophomore Joshua Chen finished 36th with a time of 29:17, and sophomore Kiernan Korthank placed 39th overall (33:01).
“I’m always impressed with the crowd that we get at (The Chicken Creek Challenge),” Archer said.
“So many people show up to cheer on the athletes and help out at the meet. I know that helps our runners compete the best that they can out there.”
