On April 10, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls track teams traveled to Aztec to join nine other teams for the Penny McKnight Memorial track meet.
Boys finish sixth overall
Continuing what has been a season-long trend of consistent improvement, the M-CHS boys team benefited from several top-10 finishes and finished sixth overall.
Senior Justice Ramos led the way for the boys with a first-place finish in the 800-meter run (2:03.36) and a second-place finish in the 400-meter dash (52.54). Sophomore Josh Ramos finished fourth in the 400-meter dash (54.67).
“Justice is an extremely hard worker,” said M-CHS boys coach Bob Archibeque. “At this point in the season, we’re really happy with where he is at. We’re hoping that he can come down a little bit and be (at the state meet) in Denver.”
Other top-10 finishers for the boys included Dante Dennison, who finished second in the shot put (45 feet); Victor Perez, who finished sixth in the shot put (39 feet, 7½ inches); Elisha Vaquera, who finished seventh in the long jump (18 feet, 3¾ inches); and Skyler Yarbrough, who placed ninth in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches).
The Panthers 4x400-meter – made up of Justice Ramos, Josh Ramos, Aaron Lewis and Vaquera – finished first overall (3:36.61).
“We were a couple of kids short, but the kids that went to (Aztec) ran really well,” Archibeque said. “I felt like it was a good meet for us.”
Girls place seventh overall
On the girls side, M-CHS placed four individuals in the top 10 of their respective events and finished seventh overall.
Junior Tayla Topaha paced the Lady Panthers with a first-place finish in the discus (114 feet, 10 inches) and a fifth-place finish in the shot put (31 feet, 2½ inches).
“(Tayla) is still undefeated in the discus this season,” said M-CHS girls coach Paul Koops. “That was a heck of a throw.”
Also cracking the top-five for M-CHS was senior Shaunnell Butler, who finished third in the 100-meter hurdles (16.73) and fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (51.80).
“(Shaunnell) continues to be really impressive,” said Koops. “Every time out, she gets faster and faster. She’s a delight to coach because she absorbs all the information, and she has a great attitude.”
Rounding out M-CHS’ top 10 finishers were Weslie Kirks, who finished seventh in the 100-meter hurdles (17.69) and Kristine Candelaria, who placed seventh in the 400-meter dash (1:07.69).
Next up for both M-CHS track teams will be the Ron Keller Invite in Bayfield on April 14, and the Phil Wertman Invite in Grand Junction on April 17.
“We’re looking forward to the (Phil Wertman Invite) because our times tend to drop up in Grand Junction,” Koops said. “It’s a little bit lower altitude and it tends to be a fast track.”