Looking to test themselves against some of New Mexico’s finest cross-country runners, members of the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls cross-country teams traveled to Shiprock to compete in the Chieftain Invite on Sept. 15.
Leading the way for the M-CHS boys was sophomore John Whyte, who continued to build on what solid results this season with 14th-place finish (18:25.10). Teammate Ben Castillo Calvillo finished 53rd (20:01.70), and Wes Atcitty rounded out the Panthers’ Top 3 with a 65th-place finish (20:52.20).
Other M-CHS competitors included Davian Robinson, who finished 72nd (22:23.60), and Josh Hughes, who placed 82nd (24:02.30). M-CHS finished 11th out of 13 teams in the team standings, and Kirtland Central finished first.
On the girls’ side, M-CHS was led by Ridley Dennison, who placed 20th (23:33.10), and Emalie Myers, who was 30th (24:39.20). Marina Bradley finished 53rd for the Panthers (27:01.60), Trinity Meyers placed 55th (27:05.90), and Siren Utrecht placed 68th (28:52.40).
The M-CHS girls team placed 10th. Kirtland Central finished first in the New Mexico meet, which featured 12 girls teams with at least five runners.
Next up for M-CHS will be the Ancient Trials Invitational, in Cortez on Oct. 5. The event will mark the only home competition for the M-CHS cross-country teams this season.
