Prior to lacing up her cleats at the Montrose Invitational on April 28, Aryelle Wright looked around the track and took in a scene that included a packed field and athletes representing 22 different schools.
The pressure of competing against some of the state’s best athletes did not faze the M-CHS junior, however, as she warmed up and then raced to victories in the 200-meter dash (26.29) and 400-meter dash (49.49). Wright also notched a second in the 100-meter dash (12.89) just five one-hundredths of a second behind Hotchkiss High School’s Kaiya Firor (12.84).
Joining Wright with three Top 5 finishes in individual events was teammate Morgan Short, who placed fourth in the 100-meter dash (13.21) and 200-meter dash (27.32) and finished fifth in the long jump (15 feet, 5½ inches).
Other Top 10 finishers in individual events for the girls’ team included senior Ashley Wood, who crossed the line second in the 300-meter hurdles (49.69) and sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (17.82). Freshman Cassandra McCully placed 10th in the 300-meter hurdles (55.17).
Freshman Ridley Dennison led M-CHS distance runners with a 12th-place finish in the 800-meter run (2:52.75) and a 15th-place finish in the 1600-meter run (6:30.42). Fellow freshman Elaina Short raced to a 12th-place finish in the 200-meter dash (29.09).
As a team, the M-CHS girls placed fifth, behind Montrose, Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge and Delta.
On the boys’ side, M-CHS was led by sophomore Titus Jackson, who showcased his athleticism and finished second in the 300-meter hurdles (41.37) and third in the high jump (5 feet, 10 inches).
Sophomore Valentino Rodriguez led M-CHS in the sprint events with a sixth-place finish in the 200-meter dash (24.35) and a 10th-place finish in the 200-meter dash (24.35). Freshman Andrew Wood led the team’s jumpers with a ninth-place finish in the triple jump (37 feet, 10½ inches).
Other top finishers for the boys’ team included sophomore Tyler Cutrone, who placed seventh in the 200-meter dash (24.46), freshman Trenton Bagge, who placed 10th in the 300-meter hurdles (46.71), freshman Wes Atcitty, who crossed the line 13th in the 400-meter dash (57.89), and sophomore Will Brown, who placed 14th in the 300-meter hurdles (52.19).
As a team, the M-CHS boys placed eight, behind Glenwood Springs, Montrose, Coal Ridge, Roaring Fork, Delta, Cedaredge and Olathe.
Next up for the M-CHS teams will be The Pueblo Twilight in Pueblo on May 4. Both M-CHS teams will then travel to Colorado Springs for the Doherty Spartan Invitational on May 5.