Competing against larger schools, the Dolores High School girls' and boys' track teams knew that they would not end up near the top of the team standings at the Piedra Vista Invitational in Farmington on March 14.
Both teams put forth solid efforts however, and in doing so, provided hope that the 2015 track season will be a fine one for Dolores athletes.
Girls place eighth overall
On the girls' side, six individuals cracked the top 10 in individual events and Lady Bears placed 8th overall in the meet's 12-team field.
Pacing the girls team was three-time state qualifying Taylor Elder, who placed fith in the long jump with a career-best jump of 16 feet, 2¼ inches. A few days after the meet, the senior was eager to talk about her team's performance in Farmington.
"I felt like we did really well as a team," said Elder. "We need to work on our handoffs for the relays, but I think that we ran pretty strong."
Other top 10 individual placers were sophomore Shavargus Noyes, who placed sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (18.27) and tied for seventh in the high jump (4 feet, 4 inches); and freshman Sierra Schwartz, who finished ninth in the 100-meter hurdles (19.04) and 10th in the 300-meter hurdles (55.83).
"(Schwartz and Noyes) are coming into form," said Dolores head coach Nick Kohler. "They're both going to be good someday."
Sophomore Josie Bernholtz placed sixth in the 400-meter dash, (1:09.44), Jessica Schleisser placed seventh in the discus (87 feet, 1 inch) and sophomore Teegan Hite placed eighth in the 800-meter run (2:46.76).
Boys finish ninth overall
Despite missing some key members of its roster who are splitting time between the track and the baseball field, the Dolores High School boys team finished ninth out of 12 teams.
"We're running harder everyday and we're getting conditioned," said senior Eli Brown. "Some of our guys were in wrestling and basketball and football and that makes an enormous impact."
Senior Brandon Donaldson's eighth-place finish in the triple jump (37 feet, 7½ inches) was the Bears top individual finish, and senior Mikeal Ford placed ninth in the 100-meter dash (12.14).
Also cracking the top 15 for the Bears was sophomore Tristan Medina, who placed 10th in the 300-meter hurdles (47.44), 14th in the 400-meter dash (56.97) and 14th in the 110-meter hurdles (19.30).
Next up for the Dolores track teams will be a meet in Farmington on March 20.