Montezuma-Cortez High School welcomed 10 teams last Friday to the Panther Invitational at Panther Stadium.
However, M-CHS wasnt the kindest of hosts.
The Panthers and Lady Panthers used their home track and field advantage to win the Panther Invitational on both sides. The boys scored 123 points and the girls recorded 130 points. Pagosa Springs placed second on each side.
We tried to reload the lineup as much as we could. The kids did everything we asked them to, M-CHS coach Bob Archibeque said. The kids are getting better. Theyre working hard. They showed that last weekend. It was a great day for us.
Other schools competing included, Dolores (third, girls; ninth, boys), Dove Creek (seventh, girls; 11th, boys) and Mancos (11th, girls; fifth, boys).
Amanda Gallegos led the Lady Panthers, winning the 400- and-800-meter dash races in 1:02.04 and 2:33.32. Ashley Lingo and Laura Heaton each took first in the discus and shot put with distances of 109-07 and 37-09.50. The 800-sprint medley relay team of Rachel Rime, Gallegos, Imari Black and Tori Laymon crossed the finish line in 1:58.83.
For the Panthers, Dillon Wells narrowly won the 3,200-meter run in 11:51.75. He edged Grand Countys (Moab, Utah) Joseph Andrews time of 11:51.75.
The M-CHS boys won the 4 x 100- and-400-relays in 46.55 and 3:42.04. Wiley Kirks, Ted Newcomer and Jaron Carver make up each relay team. Parker Newcomer is on the 100 team and Levi Carruth ran the 400.
Those kids are doing everything we ask them in practice, Archibeque said. Theyre seeing the fruits of their labor on the track. Id like to see the kids keep putting forth the effort theyre putting in. To achieve the goals they set for themselves and as a group.
Lexi Atkinson paced the Dolores Lady Bears in the 100 with the top time of 13.53. She also helped the 4 x 200 relay team of Cydney McHenry, Mindy McCracken and Cassie Lard win the event in 1:52.96. McHenry was the victor in the 300-meter hurdles at 50.04. Michelle Kline, Rachel Beverlin, Regan Umberger and Kayla Charles also won the 4 x 800 for the Lady Bears in 11:02.63.
Moki Youngquist claimed first-place in the boys 110-meter hurdles for Dolores at 17.24. He beat out Dove Creeks Cole Baughman, who finished second in 18.70.
Dove Creek did win the girls 4 x 100-relay in 54.73. The Lady Bulldogs winners consisted of Cori and Jessica Guynes, and Shelbie Knuckles and Joey Fisher.
Branson Mitchell and Kenny Phillpot led the Mancos boys with wins in the 100 (12.15) and high jump (6-06).
M-CHS will compete Friday at the Grand Junction Central, Warrior Invitational at 1 p.m.
Dove Creek will be in Grand Junction Saturday at the Mickey Dunn Invitational at 9 a.m.
Dolores travels to Cedaredge on Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
Mancos heads south to the Farmington (N.M.) Invitational on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.