Two meets into their season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School cross-country team continues to improve.
Among the strongest runners for the Panthers has been senior Rachel Demby, who finished second at the Delta Cross Country Invitational on Aug. 29 with a time of 19:32.
Demby also performed well at the Loyd’s Lake Invitational on Sept. 5, winning the event with a time of 19:52. For Demby, the win marked the third time she has won the Monticello meet in the past three years.
“Those summer miles are really paying off for (Demby),” said Panthers head coach Paul Koops. “She’s running really strong.”
Pacing the M-CHS boys team this season has been freshman Sonny Boren, who finished 70th in Delta with a time of 18:57 and 23rd in Moab with a time of 19:26.
“Our freshman are discovering that summer miles will help them in terms of their fate,” said Koops. They have great talent, but the difference between them and the kids ahead of them are summer miles.”
Other top finishers for the Panthers this season include Chandler Dee, who finished 25th in Monticello with a time of 19:31; Kristine Candelaria, who finished 19th in Monticello with a time of 23:52; and Elana Cope, who finished 24th in Monticello with a time of 24:17.
According to Koops, several other Panthers runners, including Rachel Zetts, Julia Damore and Reid Littlefield have performed well.
“If you look at (our runners’) times a year ago compared to this year, almost all of the kids have improved,” said Koops. “We’re trending in a positive direction.”
Next up for the M-CHS harriers will be the Southwest XC Challenge, which will take place in Bayfield on Sept. 13.