Three meets into their season, members of the Mancos High School boys and girls track teams are already rounding into midseason form.
Boys place sixth in Center
Competing at the Center Invitational in Center on March 20, the Mancos High School boys track team came through with its best result of the season thus far, finishing sixth overall in the 23-team meet.
"We had a number of performances that were personal or season bests for our athletes," wrote Mancos head coach Brady Archer in an email to the Mancos Times. "We now have everyone out from basketball, so I know that we will continue to get better each meet.
Leading the way for the Blujays in his first meet of the season was junior Ro Paschal, who propelled his 6-foot-4 frame to a first-place finish in the 1600-meter run (4:45.53).
"Ro has put in the work in practice and it showed in the way that he finished the 1600," wrote Archer.
Also cracking the top-three on the boys side were junior Andrew Plunkett, who finished third in the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches), and freshman Simon Kearns, who placed third in the 3200-meter run (11:01.56).
Seniors Nigel Henry and Jayden Peacock tied for fourth in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), Asa Kearns placed seventh in the 3200-meter run (11:58.28), and Brandon Hood-Farley crossed the line seventh in the 110-meter hurdles (21.15).
Rounding out the Bluejays top-10 finishers were Cameron Fury, who placed ninth in the 400-meter dash (1:01.56), Caleb Yoder, who placed ninth in the 800-meter run (2:25.47) and Griff Huver, who placed 10th in the 100-meter dash (12.21).
Girls finish 10th in Center
Also hitting the track at the Center Invitational on March 20, the Mancos girls finished 10th overall in the 23-team meet.
Pacing the girls team for the second consecutive week was sophomore Kaylee Rose, who placed second in the 800-meter run (2:54.47).
Also enjoying a solid meet on the girls side was senior Taylor Goff, who placed second in the discus (94 feet, 8½ inches) and seventh in the 100-meter hurdles (19.75).
"Taylor had a great meet," wrote Archer. "Her throw was a (personal record) and puts her pretty far up in the (state) rankings."
Other Lady Jays cracking the top 10 included sophomore Emma Most, who placed seventh in the 3200-meter run (14:31.14) and freshman Brittany Peacock, who finished 10th in the 800-meter run (3:09.32).
Next up for the Mancos track teams will be the Cortez invitational, which will occur at Panther Stadium in Cortez on March 25.