Featuring several high-caliber athletes and a deep roster full of contributors, the Mancos High School boys track team is establishing itself as one of the top Class 2A programs in the state of Colorado.
The team’s latest standout performance came at the Abel Velasquez Invitational in Ignacio on April 6 when the Bluejays finished second behind Pagosa Springs in the team standings of the 12-team event.
Among the standout performers for Mancos was junior Caden Showalter, who placed first in the discus (145 feet, 2 inches) and second in the shot put (37 feet, 10 inches), and junior Anthony Medina, who finished first in the triple jump (38 feet, 3 inches) and sixth in the long jump (18 feet, 2 inches).
Senior Caden Galloway finished second in the high jump (6 feet), and freshman Edgar Hernandez earned a third-place finish in the 1600-meter run (5:13.14) and a fourth-place finish in the 800-meter run (2:22.18).
Senior Vassar Stephens cracked the top three in the high jump with a third-place finish (6 feet), and freshman Connor Showalter placed third in the shot put (46 feet, 6 inches) and 4th in the discus (124 feet, 3 inches).
Other top finishers for the Bluejays included junior Breccen Morelli, who placed third in the 200-meter dash (24.26), and senior Hunter Hoover, who finished sixth in the high jump by clearing a bar placed 5 feet, 4 inches above the ground.
Freshman Chase Moore performed well during a busy day that included a fifth-place finish in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches), a seventh-place finish in the long jump (18 feet, 1 inch), and an eighth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (12.09).
Mancos’ 4x100-meter relay team – senior Chance Garcia, Morelli, Medina and Moore – placed second overall (47.49) behind Pagosa Springs in what turned out to be one of the most exciting races of the day.
On the girls side, Mancos was led by freshman Hannah Sparks, who placed second in the long jump (14 feet, 3 inches) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (30.37). Freshman Desi Dainty-Guilfoyle finished sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (20.83), and sophomore Sage Low leapt to an 11th-place finish in the long jump (12 feet, 3½ inches).
The Lady Jays’ 4x100-meter relay comprised of Americus Romero-Keller, Andrea Sena, Ericka Peacock and Dainty-Guilfoyle and placed second overall (58.30).
Next up for both Mancos track teams will be the Pine River Invitational, which will take place in Bayfield on Saturday.