Still rounding into shape thanks to tough early season practices, cross-country runners from Montezuma-Cortez High School, Mancos High School and Dolores High School traveled to compete in the Loyd’s Lake Classic in Monticello on Aug. 25.
Leading the way among local runners was Mancos senior Simon Kearns, who ran a steady pace from start to finish and placed fourth overall (17:51). Kearns was joined in the top 15 by teammate Caleb Yoder, who finished 10th overall (18:47) and teammate Jake McKie, who crossed the line 12th (18:51). Zane Wilson rounded out the scoring with a 23rd-place finish for the Mancos boys, who finished third in the team standings.
On the girls’ side, the Bluejays were led by freshman Grace Manning, who placed seventh overall with a time of 23:00. Teammate Maggie Delaney placed 14th (24:35), Hakayla Snow placed 28th (27:44), and Kylie Guiles placed 31st (28:55). The Mancos girls team finished in fourth place overall.
“For an early season meet, there were a number of strong performances,” said Mancos coach Brady Archer. “Usually, this meet is one week later than it was this season, so we are only two weeks into training. It was still a great race to give some freshmen and some other new runners a chance to go out and compete and see what the race feels like.”
Joining Mancos runners on the 3-mile course were several members of the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls and boys cross-country teams, who performed well.
Chief among them was Lady freshman Ridley Dennison, who crossed the line in eighth place (23:45) just ahead of teammate Aryanna Silas, who finished ninth (23:56). Other top finishers for the M-CHS girls team included Cassandra McCully, who finished 12th overall, and Hallie Carver, who placed 23rd (27:08). As a team, the M-CHS girls placed third overall.
On the boys’ side, the Panthers were led by freshman John Whyte, who made the most of his high school racing debut with a 20th-place finish (19:27). Teammate Will Brown finished 21st (19:32), Trenton Bagge placed 24th (20:24), and Isiah Pena placed 50th (25:07). The M-CHS boys team placed fifth overall in the team standings.
Young in age but rich in talent, four freshmen from Dolores High School produced solid results in their high school debuts. Those individuals included Phillip Huffman, who finished fourth overall (18:10); Brennan Hite, who placed 19th overall (19:37); Josh Petrow, who placed 49th overall (24:46); and James Carson, who crossed the line in 57th place (26:32).
The M-CHS cross-country team will return to action at the Moab Golf Club on Aug. 30, while the Mancos cross-country teams will next race in Aztec on Aug. 30. Dolores runners continue practicing in preparation for a competition at Window Rock High School on Sept. 8.
