With their school’s track currently under construction, members of the Mancos High School boys’ and girls’ track teams have been forced to race around their school and launch throws from a makeshift circle set up on a lawn near the school.
The less-than-ideal practice conditions do not appear to be negatively affecting the Mancos teams however, as evidenced by the fact that many of the school’s athletes placed well at the Piedra Vista Invite in Farmington on March 16.
Among the event winners on the boys side were junior Caden Showalter, who quickly shook off any rust that accumulated during the winter and finished first in the discus with a throw of 140 feet, 7 inches. Showalter placed second in the shot put with a throw of 46 feet, 3 inches.
Also finishing atop an individual event’s standings for Mancos was senior Caden Galloway, who placed first in the high jump by clearing a bar set at 6 feet, 3 inches. Also performing well in jumping events for Mancos was freshman Chase Moore, who finished sixth in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches) and ninth in the long jump (19 feet, ¼ inch).
Junior Anthony Medina placed second in the long jump (20 feet, 9¾ inches) and fifth in the 200-meter dash (23.90), while junior Breccen Morelli crossed the line sixth in the 400-meter dash (54.59). Senior Hunter Hoover finished ninth in the triple jump (36 feet), senior Vassar Stephens finished 10th in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches), and freshman Edgar Hernandez placed 10th in the 800-meter run (2:20.02).
The Mancos High School boys team finished sixth overall in the 13-team meet, which was won by Durango High School.
On the girls side, Mancos was led by sophomore Grace Manning, who placed third in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 5:50.00. Sophomore Sage Low finished seventh in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches), and freshman Hannah Sparks placed eighth in the long jump (13 feet, 10½ inches) and 19th in the 100-mter dash (14.46).
Freshman Desi Dainty-Guilfoyle placed 18th in the 200-meter dash (30.11), and freshman Amaris Webb placed 20th in the 400-meter dash (1:18.29). As a team, the Mancos girls finished 10th overall.
Next up for both Mancos track teams will be the Bobcat Invitational, which will take place in Bloomfield on March 30.