With regionals and state fast approaching, the Mancos Bluejays cross country team continues to round into form.
DEL NORTE INVITATIONAL
Beginning the week at the Del Norte Invitational on Tuesday, Oct. 1, the Bluejays ran impressively, bettering their individual times on their way to impressive team results.
On the boys' side, the Blujays were led by Justin Burton, whose time of 18:24 was good enough for third place.
Just behind Burton was Ro Paschal, who crossed the finish line in fifth place with a time of 18:54.
"(Burton) and (Paschal) continue to run well together," wrote Bluejays' head coach Brady Archer in an email to The Mancos Times. "The boys are really starting to look strong and ready for the end of the regular season."
Also running well for the Bluejays, Asa Kearnes placed 18th (20:25), Nic Archuleta crossed the line in 28th (21:57), Vincent Grego finished in 29th (22:02), Zane Goodell finished in 35th (23:05) and Anthony Reiners sprinted to a 42nd place finish (26:05).
As a team, the Bluejays finished third overall, two spots behind meet winner Alamosa High School.
Leading the way for the Bluejays' girls was Emma Most, whose time of 23:40 was good enough for fifth place, representing her highest individual finish of the season.
Just six seconds behind Most was Hannah Skinner, who crossed the line in seventh place with a time of 23:46.
Other varsity finishers for the Bluejays included Kia Baikie in 11th (24:19), Kristin Adams in 12th (24:32), Jessalyn Bay-Voit in 19th (25:33) and Maya Bonde in 36th (30:42).
As a team, the Bluejays' girls finished second behind Alamosa High School.
"(Del Norte) was a mid-week meet, which is always tough," Archer wrote. "Our girls did an outstanding job of continuing to grow as a team and to take second this meet got them excited."
ANCIENT TRAILS INVITATIONAL
Competing in their second meet in four days, the Bluejays ran well at the Ancient Trials Invitational, which was held in Cortez on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Leading the way for the boys was Ro Paschal, who used an impressive finishing kick to cross the line in fourth, with a time of 18:23.
"(The race) went really good," said Paschal. "I went a bit slower at the start, but had more left at the end and I was able to finish a little stronger."
Second across the line for the Bluejays was Justin Burton, who, looking gassed at the end, finished sixth with a time of 18:31.
"I think I could have pushed a little harder, but I had a good race," Burton said. "I think I started my finish kick a little early. At the end, I didn't have much left."
Behind Burton, Zane Goodell finished 42nd and Vincent Grego finished 43rd with times of 22:14 and 22:17 respectively.
As a team, the Bluejays placed sixth overall in the nine-team meet.
On the girls side, Kristin Adams finished 13th (24:02), followed by Jessalyn Bay Voit, who finished 24th (25:35). Kia Baikie finished in 35th (27:00) while Maya Bonde finished 40th (28:52).
As a team, the girls team finished seventh in the seven-team competition.
imaclaren@cortezjournal.com