The Durango High School distance squad got hot in the desert at the 75th annual Chandler Rotary Invitational in Chandler, Arizona.

The event, run in three separate meets – a Friday open session, Saturday-seeded and Saturday evening elite section, saw 21 Demons entered in Saturday’s events.

According to DHS head coach David McMillan, many of the Demon runners achieved season-best times – and many lifetime bests – in the Arizona heat.

“William Chandler ran an exceptional race in the seeded section of the 1,600 meters with a lifetime best of 4:38,” McMillan said in an email to The Durango Herald. “To think, three weeks ago, Chandler’s best was a 5:21. He was ably supported by Liam O’Brien, who ran 4:44, and Harry Steinberg with a 4:48, all lifetime bests.

“In the boys 3,200 meters, Gordon Gianniny and Nicholas Turco ran superb races to place high in the field of the seeded race. Turco ended up outrunning Gianniny over the last lap to record a lifetime best of 10:05, while Gianniny finished with a 10:07, also a personal best.

“In the girls 1,600 meters, Sarah Smagacz, nursing a tender back, ran very strongly to a lifetime best of 5:52. Abby Scott ran well in a strong-seeded field of the 800 meters to place in the top 10 with a personal best of 2:29. Given a little more experience, Abby will move toward the front of these packs. In the elite mile, Shannon Maloney showed a return to form with a blistering last 150 meters to run the best time she’s run in a couple of years, with a 5:16.”

Usually strong in the field events, McMillan said DHS’s “lone highlight in the field events was a second-place finish (in her flight) for Bree Hawman in the seeded shot-put. Miranda Gallegos (had) a season best of 16 feet, 3 inches in the elite long jump, while Jessica Lee vaulted 8 feet, 6 inches in the girls pole vault.

“At these big events, our athletes need to stay focused, out of the sun, and be ready to compete during the long (hot) day,” McMillan added. “We are not quite there yet.”

heraldsports@durangoherald.com