Facing off against tough competition at the Abel Velasquez Invitational track meet in Ignacio on April 6, several members of the Dove Creek High School boys and girls track teams performed well.
Leading the way for the girls team were sophomore Kobie Beanland, who placed second in the 300-meter hurdles (53.41), fourth in the 100-meter hurdles (18.88), and fifth in the long jump (14 feet), and junior Cassie Gatlin, who finished second in the shot put (31 feet, 5½ inches) and fourth in the discus (89 feet, 6 inches).
Also cracking the top five in multiple individual events was senior Madilyn Hankins, who placed fourth in the long jump (14 feet, 1½ inches), fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (18.88), and fifth in the 100-meter hurdles (19.35).
Senior Sierra Ayers placed fifth in the discus (80 feet, 5 inches) and eighth in the shot put (25 feet, 3 inches), and freshman Jessica Ayers crossed the line eighth in the 1600-meter run (6:38.05) and 10th in the 200-meter dash (31.50).
The Dove Creek girls team placed eighth overall in the 11-team meet, which was won by Durango High School.
On the boys side, Dove Creek was paced by junior Walker Cressler, who finished second in the 100-meter dash (11.88), second in the triple jump (36 feet, 5½ inches) and fourth in the 200-meter dash (24.50).
Senior JD Dennison finished third in the discus (126 feet, 7 inches) and fourth in the shot put (43 feet, 3½ inches), and freshman Chorbin Cressler crossed the line sixth in the 200-meter dash (25.06). Senior Austin Green rounded out the boys team’s top finishers with a seventh-place finish in the shot put (36 feet, 11½ inches) and a 12th-place finish in the discus throw (94 feet).
The Dove Creek boys team placed eighth out of 11 teams in the team standings. Pagosa Springs High won the boys team championship.
Next up for both Dove Creek teams will be the Pine River Invitational, which will take place in Bayfield on Saturday.