Generally speaking, Mancos High Schools boys and girls track teams do not split their athletes across two meets.
Last weekend however, the Bluejays did exactly that as the majority of the teams' members competed in Pagosa Springs, while a few others hit the track in Grand Junction.
Jays crack top 10 in Pagosa
Most Mancos athletes performed well in the Terry Alley Invitational in Pagosa Springs on May 3.
Leading the way, Nigel Henry placed seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 5 inches) and Steven Rohweder placed seventh in the shot put (36 feet, 4½ inches).
Brandon Hood-Farley placed ninth in the triple jump (34 feet, 9¾ inches) and Travis Franklin placed eighth in the 800 (2:28.11) and ninth in the 1600 (5:34.65).
Rounding out the boys' top finishers, Rudy Archuleta finished 10th in the long jump (16 feet, 2½ inches); Zane Goodell, 11th in the 3200 (12:56.34); and Vincent Grego 12th in the 3200 (13:15.92).
Leading the girls, Jessica Gutierrez placed eighth in the triple jump (26 feet, 3 inches), and Olivia Winter-Holm placed 10th in the 200 (31.19) and 11th in the discus (69 feet, 8 inches).
"Looking at the scores, it looked like we had a lot of PRs for almost all of the kids," said Bluejays coach Adam Priestley.
Jays face tough foes in GJ
While most Bluejays competed in Pagosa Springs, a few traveled to Grand Junction for the Tiger Invitational, May 2-3.
Competing against athletes from 23 schools, the Bluejays were led by Ro Paschal, who finished 10th overall in the 800 (2:04.13).
Paschal and teammates Justin Burton, Adrian Hernandez and Anthony Reiners, also finished eighth in the 4x800 relay (8:53.16).
Other Bluejays with solid performances included Andrew Plunkett, seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 8 inches); Everett Strazza-Whalen, 11th in the discus (117 feet, 3 inches); and Burton, 15th in the 1600 (4:48.45).
Next up for the Bluejays will be the San Juan Basin League Meet in Grand Junction, May 9-10.
"Overall, we would like to qualify a few more for state, compete well and maybe have an opportunity to bring a league championship back to our school," said Priestley."
