Prior to the Bayfield XC Invitational on Sept. 15, Mancos High School cross-country coach Brady encouraged his runners to remain patient during the early portion of what he knew would be a tough race.

Once the opening gun went off, Mancos runners heeded their coach’s advice by pacing themselves early on before passing numerous competitors on the difficult course’s back stretch.

“The course started with a tough uphill section and loose dirt, which really put some runners in a hole from the start,” Archer said.

“Our runners did a great job of staying patient for that first 800 meters and then working their way back through the pack as the race went on.”

On the boys’ side, Mancos was led by freshman Edgar Martinez, who finished ninth overall with a time of 20:47.73.

Teammate John Lund was close behind and placed 10th overall (21:00.58), while Stephen Knezek placed 18th (22:12.57).

James Ayers finished 20th overall (22:38.39), Connor Sehnert placed 35th (24:51.22), and Dustin Morning crossed the line in 41st place (30:16.03).

William Small rounded out boys’ team finishers with a 43rd-place finish (36:31.93).

On the girls’ side, Mancos was led by Grace Manning, who placed eighth overall (24:00.41).

Aspen Baumgarner finished 45th (29:54.79), Hakayla Snow placed 48th (30:29.31), and Kaysi Thomas crossed the line in 50th place (30:53.47).

The Mancos boys team finished fifth out of the five teams that qualified for the team standings, while the Mancos girls team fell one runner shy of qualifying for the team standings.

Phillip Hufman of Dolores placed first in the invitational, and fellow Bear senior Brennan Hite (19:36.22) came in third.

Next up for both Mancos teams will be the Pagosa Springs XC Challenge on Sept. 22.