When it comes to scoring points and placing well, the 2014 track season has not been kind to teams from Dolores High School.
That said, improvement has been evident for both a boys and a girls team that could excel in the near future.
Girls team continues to grow
Competing in a 13-team field at the Aztec Ice Breaker on March 22, the Bears girls acquitted themselves well, finishing tenth overall.
Leading the Bears with two top-ten finishes was Olivia Wright, who crossed the line fourth in the 400-meter dash (1:04.50) and seventh in the 200 (28.93). Wright also performed decently in the 100, finishing 14th with a time of 13.97.
Also performing well for the Bears was Taylor Elder, who, continuing to improve every meet, finished sixth in the 200 (28.40).
Also cracking the top-10 for the Bears, Brianna Schwartz finished sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.72) and Larissa Umberger finished sixth in the 300 hurdles (53.56).
Boys team still developing
Although the boys team did not manage to score any points, thus finishing last in the meet, several Dolores athletes turned in season-best performances.
Pacing the Bears team with an 11th-place finish in the 300 hurdles (56.54) and a 25th place finish in the shot put (24 feet, 11 inches) was Kelly Charles.
Other top male finishers for the Bears included Rylan Huff, who finished 18th in the 200 (25.86) and 24th in the 100 (12.33).
Damien Marquez also enjoyed a solid meet for Dolores, finishing 26th in the 200 (26.67) and 42nd in the 100 (12.89).
Many other boys also turned in decent performances.
Hoping to continue making improvements, the Bears track teams will compete in Cortez (March 26) before traveling to Bayfield for a meet on April 5.