Despite plenty of wind, lots of rain and a few flashes of lightning, the Dolores High School track teams turned in one of their best performances of the season at the Terry Alley Invitational in Pagosa Springs on May 2.
Leading the way for the Dolores girls' team was a 4x100-meter relay made up of Sierra Schwartz, Nichole Kibel, Olivia Wright and Larissa Umberger, which finished first overall with a time of 54.51.
The Lady Bears 4x200-meter relay made up of Taylor Elder, Kelly Charles, Wright and Kibel placed 2nd overall (1:51.48).
"I was pleased with the way that our relay teams ran and we'll be sticking with the same groups next week," said Dolores head coach Nick Kohler. "We're right on the bubble of making it to state in the 4x100."
Top individual placers for the Dolores girls' team included Elder, who finished 2nd in the long jump (15 feet, 10 ½ inches) and Jessica Schleisser, who placed 4th in the discus (94 feet, 5 inches).
"(Jessica) set a personal best again and right now she needs just a few more feet to get to state," Kohler said. "She threw great and she's feeling good about herself. Hopefully this weekend, she can throw over (100 feet)."
Other top placers for the girls' team included Wright, who placed 5th in the 200-meter dash (28.47), Teegan Hite, who finished 6th in the 3200-meter run, Schwartz, who finished 9th in the 300-meter hurdles (55.12) and Sharvargus Noyes, crossed the line 10th in the 300-meter hurdles (56.32).
On the boys' side, Dolores was paced by Mikeal Ford, who finished 3rd in the 100-meter dash with a time of 11.93.
Tristan Medina placed 8th in the 110-meter hurdles (18.71) and 8th in the 300-meter hurdles (44.66) and Ruben Gomez finished 11th in the triple jump (36 feet, 6 inches).
The Bears 4x100 relay made up of Branden Donaldson, Trevor Robinson, Ford and Donaldson finished 3rd (46.03) and the 4x200-meter composed of the same individuals finished 5th (1:37.86).
"Both of our boys' relays dropped a lot of time and if we can get our relay exchanges together, we will be in good shape at state," Kohler said. "I thought that all of our athletes did great. We put ourselves right where we need to be heading into state."
Prior to the state meet however, both Dolores teams will compete in the Tiger Invitational in Grand Junction, May 8-9. Kohler said that he expects the meet to be more competitive than it has been in the past.
"They are trying to turn the (Tiger Invitational) into one of the premiere meets in Colorado," said the Dolores coach. "It's going to be difficult for our kids to make finals, so we're just going to hope that everybody sets personal bests on Friday."