From 2012 until 2016, Ro Paschal excelled on the court, along the trails, and on the track as a member of Mancos High School’s basketball, cross-country and track teams.
As a result of his athletic accomplishments, Paschal caught the eye of several members of the Adams State University track team’s coaching staff and the Mancos native was eventually offered a spot on the school’s cross-country and track teams.
Although in some respects, the transition from a small Class 2A high school to a nationally recognized Division II college program provided difficult for Paschal, the hardworking runner enjoyed a successful freshman season, which included a fifth-place finish in the 1-mile run (4:30.37) at the ASU Early Grizzly Open on Dec. 3.
Paschal also finished 89th out of 176 runners at the Fort Hays Tiger Open cross-country race in October with a time of (26:18.70).
“I think right now, because I’m not as strong as the older guys, I like the mile the most because it’s a nice balance of speed and endurance,” Paschal said earlier this season.”
Currently in the Mancos area for the summer, Paschal is training several days a week and recently competed in the Cowboy Half-Marathon in Mancos, where he finished second with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes and 10 seconds, to Adam State teammate Sydney Gidabuday’s 1:25.09.
