Continuing an annual tradition that began when former head coach Bob Archibeque sought to expose his athletes to elite competition, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys and girls track teams competed in the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational in Chandler, March 23-24.

The meet included teams from California, Nevada, Wyoming, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah, Texas, Illinois, Montana, Oregon, and even Canada, and featured some of the top high school track athletes in the country.

Leading the way for M-CHS was Aryelle Wright, whose time of 1:01.77 was good enough to place her 37th in the 400-meter dash. The junior also finished 75th in the 200-meter dash (27.24). Also registering two Top 100 finishes for the girls team was junior Morgan Short, who placed 79th in the long jump (14 feet, 6 inches) and 80th in the 200-meter dash (27.37).

Other top finishers for the M-CHS girls team included senior Ashley Wood, who crossed the line 48th in the 100-meter hurdles (17.65) and 73rd in the 300-meter hurdles (52.03). Taylor Willbanks finished 71st in the shot put (27 feet, 5 ½ inches) and 79th in the discus (71 feet).

On the boys’ side, M-CHS was led by senior Austin Foxworth, who finished 89th in the 110-meter hurdles (19.28) and 118th in the 300-meter hurdles (48.73). Other top finishers for the M-CHS boys team included senior Sonny Boren, who placed 101st in the 400-meter dash (53.94) and senior Kade Partington, who placed 88th in the shot put (37 feet).

Next up for the M-CHS track teams will be the Mickey Dunn Invitational, which will take place at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction on March 31.