Competing against eight other teams at the Abel Velasquez Invitational on April 8, several members of the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls track teams earned top honors.

Headlining the top finishers for the girls were Ashley Wood, who finished first in the 300-meter hurdles (17.91) and the 300-meter hurdles (51.63), and Morgan Short, who finished first in the 200-meter dash (27.94) and the long jump (16 feet 4 inches). Emma Thissen also earned a victory for the Lady Panthers in the 800-meter run.

The Lady Panthers team of Wood, Anna Bullock, Trinity McCain and Short finished first in the 4x200-meter relay (1:55.80) and a team consisting of McCain, Short, Thissen, and Kaeleen Boggs finished first in the 4x400-meter relay (1:55.86).

The boys were led by Josh Ramos, who placed first in the 400-meter dash (52.10) and the 800-meter run (2:07.04).

Other top finishers included Micah Hightower, who placed first in the 110-meter hurdles (16.92), Austin Wagner, who placed first in the triple jump (42 feet) and Skylar Yarbrough, who won the 300-meter hurdles (42.77).

M-CHS’s 4x800 meter relay team of Elisha Vaquera, Sonny Boren, Jesus Ruiz and Ramos finished first (8:30.54), as did the 4x400 meter relay team of Ramos, Boren, Ruiz and Yarbrough (3:38.74).

Rounding out the Panthers’ winning relays was the 4x200-meter relay made up of Trey Yarbrough, Skylar Yarbrough, Ruiz and Vaquera, which finished in 1:37.27.

Next up for the M-CHS track teams will be the Pine River Invite, which will take place in Bayfield on April 15.