Thanks to another impressive run in a season full of them, Montezuma-Cortez High School senior Rachel Demby is headed to state.
Competing at the 4A Region 6 Meet in Delta on Oct. 17, Demby finished seventh overall with a time of 19:23. As impressive as that result was however, Panthers head coach Paul Koops emphasized that it could have been even better.
“Had Rachel raced in more big races, she could (have placed even higher),” said Koops. “There were more good girls (at Regionals) than we had probably counted on. Things didn’t quite play out the way we thought they were going to.”
Koops praised Demby’s latest performance however, while lauding his senior’s leadership skills.
“(Rachel) is a once in a career kind of athlete for a coach,” said Koops. “Her leadership this season has been outstanding and she has run extremely well.”
Other athletes competing for the M-CHS girls team included Regina Schuster, who finished 60th (22:42), Kristine Candelaria, who finished 64th (22:59), Elana Cope, who finished 65th (23:03) and Samantha Bagge, who finished 76th (24:29).
“Our girls ran well and finished their season really strong,” said Koops. “It was a tight-knit group this year.”
As a team, the M-CHS girls finished ninth in the ten-team regional competition, which was won by Battle Mountain High School.
On the boys side, the Panthers were led by freshman Sonny Boren, who finished 40th overall with a time of 18:29.
“(Sonny) ran really well,” said Koops. I thought it was his best race of the season. As a freshman, I thought he stepped up.”
Next across the line for the M-CHS boys was freshman Reid Littlefield, who finished 62nd (19:24). Chandler Dee finished 63rd (19:24), Taylor Wilson finished 70th (19:52) and Kyle Talley finished 89th (25:29).
As a team, the M-CHS boys finished ninth in the ten-team regional meet, which was won by Durango High School.
With the vast majority of the team’s runners now finished for the season, Koops and Demby will prepare for the Colorado High School Cross Country Championships, which will take place in Colorado Springs on Oct. 25.
“(Rachel) is hoping to run well and place better (in the state) than she did last year,” said Koops. “She’s more experienced and she knows the course, so I think she can.”