Competing at the Chicken Creek Invitational in Mancos on Sept. 27, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls cross-country teams performed well.
Leading the way for the girls team, senior Rachel Demby won for the fourth straight time, finishing first overall with a time of 21:12. The M-CHS star’s time was 1:04 seconds faster than second-place finisher Olivia Reinhardt.
“I felt pretty strong the whole way through,” said Demby. “You can always get better and faster. I’m just working on speed.”
Second across the line for the Panthers girls was Kristine Candelaria, who finished 25th with a time of 25:58.
Judy Ha finished 33rd with a time of 27:19, Rachel Zetts finished 37th with a time of 28:01, Julia Damore-Rome finished 38th with a time of 28:01, Lynda LaPaz finished 41st with a time of 29:56 and Selena LaPaz finished 43rd with a time of 32:03.
As a team, the M-CHS finished fifth in the seven-team field, four spots behind meet winner Pagosa Springs.
“We’re all working really hard, and they push each other,” said Demby. “I think we’re all progressing very well.”
The Panthers boys were led by senior Chandler Dee, who, running flu-free for the first time in a few weeks, finished 15th overall with a time of 20:12.
“Time wise, I didn’t do my (personal best), but I felt like I went out there and competed,” said Dee. “I’d like to qualify for state and run 18 minutes.”
Next across the line for the Panthers were freshmen Reid Littlefield and Sonny Boren, who finished 26th (21:17) and 28th (21:19), respectively.
Taylor Wilson rounded out the M-CHS finishers, crossing the line in 39th place at 23:25.
The M-CHS boys team placed seventh in the eight-team field, six spots behind meet champion Mancos High School.
Mancos junior Ro Paschal finished first individually with a time of 18:01.
“I was pretty relaxed,” said Paschal, who trained with Demby throughout the summer. “After the first mile, everyone broke apart, and I broke free.”
Next up for M-CHS will be the John Thornton Invitational, in Blanding on Oct. 1.