If members of the Mancos High School boys and girls track team perform as well at next week’s state track meet as they did at the Grand Junction Invitational on Friday and Saturday, nobody will be disappointed.
Among the top finishers for the Mancos boys team at the Grand Junction meet was senior Caden Showalter, who added two more individual titles to his already large collection when he placed first in the shot put (48 feet, 8¾ inches) and first in the discus (160 feet, 2 inches).
Also winning an individual event for the Bluejays was senior Caden Galloway, who solidified his status as one of the state’s top high jumpers when he finished first overall (6 feet, 4 inches) in the event.
Other top finishers for the boys team included freshman Connor Showalter, who placed second in the shot put (46 feet, 9¾ inches) and sixth in the discus (139 feet, 1 inch), and junior Breccen Morelli, who crossed the line fifth in the preliminary round of the 400-meter dash (53.64). Morelli did not compete in finals in the event.
Junior Anthony Medina placed sixth in the triple jump (40 feet, 8 inches) and 11th in the 200-meter dash (23.82), freshman Edgar Hernandez finished eighth in the 1,600-meter run (4:47.59), and freshman Chase Moore placed ninth in the high jump (5 feet, 6 inches).
The boys 4-x-100-meter relay composed of Chance Garcia, Moore, Morelli and Medina placed eighth overall (45.86), and the team’s 4-x-400-meter relay made up of Vassar Stephens, Connor Showalter, Moore and Morelli finished ninth (3:46.78).
The Mancos boys team finished sixth out of 22 teams in the team standings. Palisade High School won the boys team title.
On the girls’ side, Mancos was led by sophomore Grace Manning, who placed seventh in the 400-meter dash (1:01.66) and 10th in the 800-meter run (2:30.96).
Freshman Desi Dainty-Guilfoyle finished 15th in the 100-meter dash (13.68), and the Lady Jays’ 800-meter sprint relay comprised of Emmalee Asnicar, Hannah Sparks, Dainty-Guilfoyle and Manning placed eighth overall.
The Mancos girls tied for 20th place in the meet’s 20-team field. Fruita Monument High School finished first overall.
Next up for both Mancos teams will be the Colorado Class 2A State Track Meet in Lakewood on May 16-18.