Competing at the Abel Velasquez Invitational in Ignacio on April 7, four members of the Dove Creek High School track teams continued a longstanding tradition of solid results in the hurdling events, while several other team members also produced solid finishes.
On the girls’ side, Dove Creek was led by freshman hurdler Kobie Beanland, who finished second in the 300-meter hurdles (51.69), fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.79), and second in the long jump (14 feet, 6¼ inches).
Senior Larissa Randolph also came through big in a hurdling event, finishing third overall in the 100-meter hurdles with a time of 17.57 seconds.
Leading the way for Dove Creek in the throwing event were sophomore Cassie Gatlin, who placed third in the shot put (29 feet, 10 inches) and sixth in the discus (73 feet, 11 inches). Junior Sierra Ayers placed 10th in the discus (68 feet, 7½ inches), and senior Faith Johnson placed 10th in the shot put (25 feet, 3 inches).
Rounding out members of the Dove Creek girls’ team who cracked the Top 10 in an individual event were junior Breea Meyer, who placed seventh in the 400-meter dash (1:08.23) and eighth in the 100-meter dash (14.70), freshman Bridge Seely, who crossed the line eighth in the 800-meter run (3:14.80), and sophomore Aspen Kibel, who placed seventh in the 1600-meter run (8:30.28).
The Dove Creek girls team finished fifth overall in the nine-team event with 45 points. Montezuma-Cortez took top honors in the girls’ standings with 117 points.
On the boys’ side, Dove Creek was led by senior hurdler Logan Myers, who looked impressive on his way to a second-place finish in the 110-meter hurdles (19.49) and a fourth-place finish in the 300-meter hurdles (52.84).
Junior JD Dennison placed third in the discus (121 feet, 6½ inches) and fifth in the shot put (39 feet, 10 inches). Junior Austin Green placed third in the 300-meter hurdles (52.00), and junior Daniel Folkner finished sixth in the 800-meter run (2:23.04).
Dove Creek finished seventh overall in the team standings with 29 points, and Mancos captured top honors with 115 points overall.
Next up for both Dove Creek teams will be the Pine River Invitational in Bayfield on April 14.