Aiming to build their aerobic bases and improve their technique, members of the Mancos High School boys and girls track teams competed in the Hotchkiss Bulldog Invitational on March 24 and performed well.

Among the top finishers for the boys was sophomore Anthony Medina, who continued his trend of outstanding leaps this season and finished third overall in the long jump (20 feet, 1 ¾ inches).

Also cracking the Top 5 for the Bluejays was senior middle-distance specialist Caleb Yoder, who crossed the line fourth in the 1500-meter run with a time of 4:51.31.

Other Top 15 finishers for the boys included senior Jake McKie, who finished ninth in the 1500-meter run, John Lund, who placed 13th in the 800-meter run (2:21.01), and Cameron Fury, who placed 14th in the 400-meter dash (1:00.07).

Zane Wilson finished 14th in the 3200-meter run (12:10.15), Hunter Hoover finished 15th in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), and as a team, Mancos finished 11th in the meet’s 19-team field.

On the girls’ side, Mancos was again paced by freshman Grace Manning, whose time of 2:39.43 in the 800-meter run was good enough to place her sixth overall. Sprinter Geri Montoya finished 18th in the 100-meter dash (14.70), and thrower Kristen Fogel placed 13th in the shot put (28 feet, 9 inches) and 16th in the discus (74 feet, 1 inch).

The Mancos girls team finished 15th in the team standings. Montrose High School claimed top honors as a team in both the boys’ and the girls’ portions of the competition.

Next up for both the girls and the boys teams will be a trip to the Abel Velasques Invitational in Ignacio on April 7.