ALAMOSA – On a course that allowed the athletes to stretch their legs with long flat pathways, the Four Corners runners showcased what they could do in the 31st Joe I. Vigil Invitational on Cattails Golf Course in Alamosa.
The Dolores boys led the way with big time jumps, earning 13th as a team in a field full of large schools from Colorado, New Mexico and Texas. In the 28-team field, Bears sophomore Owen Lowe had a breakout race placing 62nd overall in 17 minutes, 56 seconds.
A trio of teammates followed in quick succession, with freshman Joseph Padilla taking 85th in 18:32, junior Aaron Nielsen claiming 91st in 18:37 and classmate Bridger Beyhan earning 102nd (18:57) in the field of over 300 runners.
Sophomore Orin Samulski rounded out the scoring pack for the Bears, taking 152nd overall in 20:19.
Sophomore Corvin Smith (181st, 20:51) and freshman Nathan Gaddis (244th, 23:13) closed out the varsity seven for coach Angie Lowe’s group.
The Dolores girls placed 18th in their field, with the Lowe sisters tallying strong performances. Elia Lowe posted a 60th-place run in 21:49, while Maya Lowe crossed 45 seconds later for 82nd place with a time of 22:33.
Senior Keira LaRose and freshman Emilynn Hill raced to 124th and 125th place, respectively, with LaRose’s time of 23:33 was just two seconds in front of Hill. Freshmen Heidi Beyhan (25:51) and Emma Nielson (25:53) also crossed back-to-back for 201st place and 202nd place, respectively.
Mancos also enjoyed plenty of quality performances, with their four upperclassmen posting season bests. Senior Teagan Archer (22:39) led the way with an 87th-place run, while classmate Sarah Knezek (24:59) claimed 166th. Juniors Maddie Swortwood-Green (179th, 25:16) and Tyla Henry (212th, 27:01) also jumped up with big improvements.
For the boys, Bluejay freshman Cuinn Archer (19:42) took 130th place, while sophomore Alekzander Bianchi (25:56) took 276th overall. Neither Bluejay team had a complete five-member squad required to score as a team.
Strong pack running helped the Montezuma-Cortez boys tally its best effort in the early stages of the season.
The Panthers took 25th in the team competition, led by Corbin Myers (19:09), who finished 112th overall. William Blair (19:18) came in six spots later, while Cruz Plewe (19:33) finished 123rd overall.
Roberto Sauzameda claimed 182nd place (20:52) while Kenai Cotonuts (251st, 23:50) and Chistian Doolen (271st, 25:31) rounded out the scoring for M-CHS.
In the girls race, the Panthers’ Luna Moore (29:35) took 239th in the field.
Many of the same athletes will take part in the Bayfield Invitational on Sept. 14.
