Panthers

Panthers, Blue Jays off and running

Sept 8, 2001

STAFF REPORT

PAGOSA SPRINGS — They’re off and running.

Montezuma-Cortez and Mancos high school cross-country teams opened the 2001 season by competing last Saturday, Sept. 1, at the Pagosa Springs Invitational at the Wolf Creek Ski Area.

For the girls, Buena Vista captured first with 48, Farmington came in second only one point back, followed by Bayfield 50, Centauri 59, Montezuma-Cortez 67, Aztec 82, Pagosa Springs 121, and Piedra Vista 164.

Individually for the girls, Timmie Murphy of FHS won in 21:38.

Amanda Graffis took eighth place with a time of 25 minutes, 13 seconds for the Panthers. Hannah Mortensen came in 11th in 26:08. Also running were Julie Christensen who was timed in 27:48, Chesleigh Keene ran 28:18, Holly Smith 28:38, Chelsea Mortensen 29:09 and Jessica Millican 30:21.

"It was a very tough course," first-year MCHS coach Amber Olson remarked. "It was a little bit muddy because of some rain. We will not run a tougher course the rest of the season. It’s tough to run at 10,000 feet when you don’t practice at 10,000 feet. But considering, the kids had some very good times. Really, it was a great practice meet."

The MHS girls did not compete this week because they still do not have enough (nine) practices in.

The MHS boys finished in seventh place out of eight teams participating. Farmington High won the event going away with a score of 35. Aztec came in a distant second with 50, followed by Red Mesa, Ariz., 55, Centauri 81, Bayfield 83, Piedra Vista (Farmington) 94, Mancos 120, and Del Norte 161. Several other schools were represented but did not have enough runners for the team competition.

Kendrick Jim of Farmington won the event in 20 minutes, 31 seconds over the very high-altitude (more than 10,000 feet above sea-level) and a little longer 3.3-mile course (3.1-mile or 5K is normal) over mountainous terrain.

"It was a very tough course," MHS head coach Tim Dunham concurred. "After running at that elevation, all our other meets will seem a lot easier."

Dunham was pleased with the performance of his runners for their first meet. Alan Cummings was the top Blue Jay finisher in 22nd in 23:11. Preston Hennrich came in 30th in 23:36, Levi Martinez took 33rd in 24:23, Kyle Yeomans 35th in 25:25, and Clint Hill came in 48th in 32:00. Hill had trouble with the high altitude and had an asthma attack, according to Dunham.

Three junior varsity boys competed. Ian Mullikin came in second in that division in 24:08, Justin Wince took eighth in 26:21, and Logan Stiles 10th in 26:53.

"That was great for them. The freshmen did very well. Ian came in third overall. I was certainly encouraged by their performance," he added.

Drew Webster, a Dolores High School student who competes for MCHS because DHS does not have a cross-country program, was the only boy competing. He finished 19th overall with a time of 22:40. Jordan Davis, who transferred from Mancos a year and half ago, was out with an ankle injury and Zach Nelson was out with a knee injury. She said the girls have no injuries right now. Both boys should be running this week.

All the harriers should all participate in today’s, Sept. 8, meet at Aztec, N.M.

"We have a young team this year. We certainly are not going to blow away any 5A schools. But I think we will have a good season," Dunham added.

"We will be looking for some good times at Aztec," Olson added. "I haven’t seen the course but it certainly should be much easier than the one at Wolf Creek Pass."

Olson reported she is enjoying taking over the program. Dave Dillman, who had it before, resigned to take a job out of the area. She was a sprinter and not a distance runner while in high school and college (Bimidji State University in Minnesota). Olson called her college coach and he sent her all his practices (especially for distance running) and she read several books. She also has a friend who runs 5Ks all over the country who gave her some pointers.