The Montezuma-Cortez cross-country team raced at the Anna Banana Memorial Wildcat Invitational in Grand Junction on Saturday, Sept. 26.

Going into the race, head coach Paul Koops said he expected to see fast times from his runners due to the flat nature of the course.

He was correct, as six of the Panthers 10 runners ran their best times of the season.

Sophomore Regina Schuster led the girls’ team with a season best time of 23 minutes, 36 seconds, good for a 66th place finish in the large meet.

Senior Rachel Zetts (24:56), sophomore Emma Thissen (25:12) and sophomore Lynda LaPaz (26:42) rounded out the girls’ squad in 77th, 81st and 85th.

The boys were led by junior Josh Ramos, who after catching a touchdown pass the night before in the Panthers’ football win against Ignacio, showed up and ran his season best (17:31), placing 26th.

Sonny Boren (17:47) and Reid Littlefield (18:13) finished next for M-CHS in 36th and 51st.

Brenden Quinonez (21:24), Blair Rice (23:25) and Riley Whiteskunk (23:33) finished out the group in 103rd, 112th and 113th.

The Panthers will stay close to home this weekend and will compete in the Chicken Creek Challenge in Mancos.