Healthy, well-conditioned and motivated, the Mancos High School boys and girls cross-country teams continue to enjoy solid results.
Boys win in Bayfield
After finishing second in Monticello on Sept. 5, the Mancos boys team returned to action at the Southwest XC Challenge in Bayfield and finished first in the 13-team field.
Competing on a smoky course, the Bluejays were paced by standout junior Ro Paschal, who finished second with a time of 18:05.
Not far behind was freshman Simon Kearns, who finished third with a time of 18:25.
Nic Archuleta was next across the line for Mancos, finishing seventh with a time of 19:08.
Rounding out the Bluejays varsity finishers were Asa Kearns, who finished 28th (20:27); Jake McKie, who finished 42nd (21:31); Zane Goodell, who finished 43rd (21:25); and Caleb Yoder, who finished 56th (22:34).
"The boys stuck together through the first mile," wrote Mancos head coach Brady Archer in an email to the Mancos Times. "From there, Ro and Simon made up as much ground as they could on the race winner, and the rest of the boys moved up to help the team score."
According to Archer, the boys team's victory was especially impressive in light of the tough competition at the meet.
"To walk out of this meet with a team win is very special," said Archer. "There were a number of very good cross-country programs in attendance, and our boys ran very smart races."
Girls improve times
With only three runners competing at the Southwest XC Challenge, the Mancos girls team did not factor into the team standings.
The team enjoyed several solid performances however, as Emma Most finished 20th (24:31); Hannah Skinner finished 31st (25:40); and Jessalyn Bay-Voit finished 53rd (29:12).
"Our girls are still working toward the first meet when they will score as a team," said Archer. Individually, they continue to move up each week and get better."
Both Mancos cross-country teams will return to action on Sept. 20 when they compete in the Pagosa Springs Classic, in Pagosa Springs.