COLORADO SPRINGS – The Bluejays girls cross-country team celebrated their return to the state championships in the 2A cross-country meet with a fitting curtain call and welcome introduction at the same time.
For a pair of seniors, Saturday’s championships at the Norris Penrose Events Center served as a curtain call for all the accolades of their high school cross-country exploits, while a pair of juniors enjoyed the state’s biggest stage for the first time.
The Jays took home 19th as a team in the 2A state championships, behind an outstanding capstone to the career of senior Teagan Archer, whose final chapter for Mancos reflected so many of her previous efforts – at the front of the Bluejays pack.
Archer claimed 68th for head coach Brady Archer’s group, crossing the state finish line for the third time in her career – taking 68th overall in a time of 23:14. Her run included sitting with the front half of the field through the opening mile, before the senior crossed the finish line in the rodeo arena for her third state finish in a memorable career.
Classmate Sarah Knezek also enjoyed a return visit to Colorado Springs, taking home 99th place (25:17), after she moved up from her early positioning to help guide the Bluejays to 326 points.
Juniors Maddie Swortwood-Green and Tyla Henry challenged themselves on the tough 5K course in their first state finals, with Swortwood-Green taking 109th in a time of 25:46, while Green earned 130th position in a time of 30:30. Their satisfying return to state under longtime head coach Brady Archer signified the continued strength of a Bluejays distance program that has enjoyed ongoing success at both the local and state levels.
The Western Slope enjoyed strong representation in the top of the standings, as Rangely’s Taya Wren won the girls individual title in 19:02, while the girls team title went to Heritage Christian with 25 points, with Lake County taking second and Ridgway earning third.
