Before the Ancient Trails Invitational on Oct. 4, Rachel Demby and Ro Paschal warmed up intently.
Then, the two local cross-country runners put on a show, racing to early leads at the Montezuma County Fairgrounds course and finishing first overall in their divisions.
For Demby, the top finish was especially sweet since the Montezuma-Cortez High School senior had failed to win in Cortez in three tries.
Demby’s time of 21:26 put her 49 seconds ahead of the race’s second-place finisher.
“It feels great,” said Demby, who has now won six straight races. “I worked hard over the summer, and it’s nice to have that pay off.”
Kristine Candelaria finished 18th at 25:01.
(The race) was really good,” said Candelaria. “I want to run under 24 minutes.”
Other M-CHS competitors included Regina Schuster, who finished 20th (25:12); Elana Cope, 21st (25:22); Samantha Bagge, 26th (26:18); Julia Damore, 30th (26:37); and Rachel Zetts, 31st (26:38).
The Panthers girls finished second behind Pagosa Springs. Seven girls varsity teams – 46 high school girls – and 109 middle school girls competed.
On the boys side, Paschal dominated as he has all season, finishing first at 17:46. Mancos finished first as a team.
“A couple of guys broke to the front early, and I stayed with them,” he said. “It was the fastest first mile I ran all year.”
Pacing the M-CHS boys, freshman Sonny Boren finished 13th at 19:59.
“There is just one hill that takes it out of you,” said Boren. Other finishers for the M-CHS boys included Reid Littlefield, who finished 14th (20:03); Chandler Dee, who finished 24th (20:55); and Taylor Wilson, who finished 38th (23:27).
Nine varsity boys teams – 66 high school boys – and 118 middle school boys competed in this year’s Invitational.
Next up for the M-CHS cross-country teams will be the Class 4A Region 6 Championship, which will take place in Delta on Oct. 17.