Even when they run the wrong way, things go right for the Demons.
The Durango High School boys cross country team won its second race in as many meets Saturday at the Battle Mountain Husky Invitational at Copper Mountain on Saturday despite a detour by No. 2 runner Nicholas Turco.
Turco lead the field in the first mile but took a wrong turn that cost him the top position.
“Nicholas panicked a little and immediately surged through the field to the front,” DHS head coach David McMillan said in a text message to The Durango Herald. “This exuberance probably cost him some time, but he needs to learn to be patient in each race and as we build the season.”
The Demons have now won both boys races they’ve entered this season.
Turco ended up in third place in the individual race, finishing in 19 minutes, 1 second.
Durango’s top runner, Benjamin Lachelt, placed second in his first race of the season in 18:41.
Cheyenne Mountain’s James Jones edged him by 15 seconds for the individual win.
Durango’s Jordan Helms crossed the line in 19:28 to finish fourth.
“The race of the day belonged to Jordan Helms, who moved up from 32nd to fourth in the last half of the race,” McMillan said.
David Moenning was seventh in 19:33, and William Chandler finished ninth in 19:43.
With all five scoring runners in the top 10, DHS easily won the boys meet with 25 points.
Host Battle Mountain was second with 95 points.
Durango’s non-scoring runners, Isaac Ducker and Harry Steinberg, took 11th and 15th in the varsity race.
The Demons’ girls team finished fourth with 104 points.
Battle Mountain won with 33, and Madison Lambros of Cheyenne Mountain won in 22:11.
Sarah Smagacz led DHS in 12th at 24:10; Anna Smagacz took 22nd at 25:17; Mary Fenberg was 26th in 25:30; Emily Edwards-Colsman finished 31st in 25:51’ Allee McKown finished 41st in 26:48; Marit May was 55th at 27:48; and Maggie Wigton took 62nd in 28:40.
“The girls ran well in a really strong field,” McMillan said. “With only one senior in our top-20 girls, this is a young squad with a lot of upside.”
Durango’s next meet is its Southwest Sunset Classic on Friday.
The Demons revamped their home meet this season and will run under the lights at 6 p.m. at Hillcrest Golf Club.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
