Two meets into the season, things are progressing well for the Mancos High School boys and girls cross-country teams.
Paschal leads boys team to top-three finish
One of 10 teams competing at the Loyd's Lake Invitational in Monticello on Sept. 5, the Mancos boys team performed well, finishing third overall behind Grand Junction Central and Monticello.
Highlighting the meet for the boys, junior Ro Paschal proved that summer training can make all the difference by finishing first overall in a meet-record time of 16:47.
According to Mancos head coach Brady Archer, Paschal's run was impressive on many levels.
"Ro had a great race," wrote Archer in an email to the Mancos Times. "He reeled in (second place finisher) Tyler Bird, who got out to a big lead, and passed him not too far from the finish line."
Complementing Paschal's impressive performance was freshman Simon Kearns, who finished fourth overall with a time of 17:40.
Next across the line for the Bluejays was Nic Archuleta, who finished 10th with a time of 18:24.
Asa Kearns finished 13th with a time of 18:37; Zane Goodell finished 37th with a time of 20:29; Caleb Yoder finished 41st with a time of 20:52; and Vincent Grego finished 47th with a time of 21:24.
"Our varsity boys ran a very smart race as a team," wrote Archer. "They do a great job of supporting each other on the course. They held their own against a solid 5A school in Grand Junction Central and a Utah defending state champion in Monticello."
Emma Most leads rapidly improving girls team
Although the Mancos girls team was unable to place due to the fact that entered only three runners in Monticello, the team enjoyed solid individual performances.
Pacing the Bluejays was Emma Most, who placed 15th overall with a time of 23:51. Next across the line for the Bluejays was Hannah Skinner, who placed 18th with a time of 23:51. Not far behind Skinner was Jessalyn Bay-Voit, who placed 49th with a time of 26:49.
"It was nice to see our girls gain some confidence and run really good races," wrote Archer. "Emma (Most) ran a minute faster here than she did last year."
Next up for the Bluejays will be the Southwest XC Challenge, which will take place in Bayfield on Sept. 13. The races will begin at 9:00 a.m.