Continuing their longstanding tradition of competing in one of the West’s most competitive meets, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls track teams traveled to Chandler, Arizona, to compete in the Chandler Rotary Invitational, March 22-23.
Leading the way individually for the M-CHS boys team was junior Titus Jackson, who placed 14th in the 300-meter hurdles (40.82) in the high school varsity division. Senior Jens Jorgensen also cracked the top 20 of an individual event, when he finished 17th in the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches).
Other impressive performances from the M-CHS boys team came in several relays, which held their own against what is likely the stoutest competition that they will face all season.
The 4x200-meter relay team comprised of Jayden Karo, Jacob Schuster, Chris Matimba and Valentino Rodriguez finished 14th (1:37.79). The 4x100-meter relay team of Rodriguez, Jackson, Andrew Wood and Tyler Cutrone placed 27th (49.35), and the 4x400-meter relay team of Cutrone, Jackson, Karo and Stevie Fuentes placed 38th (3:39.56).
On the girls side, M-CHS was led individually by freshman Aryelle Wright, who placed 13th in the 400-meter dash with a blazing time of 58.88. Wright also placed 26th in the 200-meter dash (26.28) and 73rd in the 800-meter run (2:36.56).
Sophomore Devon McHenry crossed the line 47th in the 100-meter hurdles (18.06) and freshman Elaina Short placed 75th in the 100-meter dash (14.04). Morgan Short placed 81st in the 300-meter hurdles (53.62), Cassandra McCully placed 54th in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches) and Kylie Lake placed 57th in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches).
Sophomore thrower Paige Yarbrough came through with another solid throw in the discus and placed 29th overall (91 feet, 10 inches), and the 4x100-meter relay team of Elaina Short, Lake, McCully and McHenry finished 40th overall (55.68).
Next up for both M-CHS track teams will be the Abel Velasquez Invitational, which will take place April 6 in Ignacio.