For members of the Dove Creek High School track teams, the Mancos Bluejays Invitational on May 29 provided the perfect opportunity to face off against tough competition while continuing to round into midseason form.

Among the most successful competitors for the Bulldogs boys team was Kade Hankins, who soared to a second-place finish in the long jump with a leap of 19 feet, 11¼ inches before following up that performance with a sixth-place finish in the 3,000-meter hurdles (49.16).

Also cracking the top 10 in a pair of individual events for the boys was Chorbin Cressler, who placed third in the 400-meter dash (56.93), and sprinted to a sixth-place finish in the 100-meter dash (12.03).

Rounding out the members of the boys team who cracked the top 10 in at least one individual event was Gage Buffington, who crossed the line eighth in the 200-meter dash (26.03).

As a team, the Dove Creek boys’ finished eighth in the 12-team field. Durango High School captured top honors in the team standings.

On the girls’ side, Dove Creek was paced by Kobie Beanland, who showed her versatility by placing third in the long jump (14 feet, 10 inches), fourth in the 300-meter hurdles (54.19), and sixth in the 100-meter hurdles (18.98).

Jessica Ayers looked strong while finishing fourth in the shot put with a throw of 27 feet, 8½ inches, and Trista Barnett finished fifth in the 200-meter dash (29.40), fifth in the 1,600-meter run (6:27.88), and seventh in the long jump (13 feet, 10 inches).

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs tied for eighth overall in the 12-team meet, which was won by Durango High School.

Next up for the Dove Creek track teams will be the Montrose Invitational on June 4.