Looking at the cover of the Colorado High School Activities Association’s 2024 Cross-Country Bulletin, one can see a photo from the 2023 State Championships’ Class 2A boys race. In it is Ignacio’s then-freshman prospect Cayson Burcham.
When the ’24 season began, however, the Bobcats’ picture for success perhaps wasn’t as clear, considering a new head coach had taken the program’s reins and Burcham had decided to test himself on the football field. But juniors Trace Crane and James Martin both returned and proved crucial in earning IHS a return to Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
Even if their typical finishing order was reversed.
Competing Friday morning at the 2A-Region IV Championships in South Fork, Martin laid down a time of 18 minutes, 10.74 seconds in placing third overall, while Crane clocked 18:32.88 and came in seventh as the ’Cats accumulated an adjusted score-4 total of 41 points.
Only Crested Butte Community School, with a near-perfect low of 13 points, fared better, while Dolores (47) and meet-hosting Del Norte (55) rounded out the top four of nine title-eligible teams.
CBCS senior Giles Billick was the individual champion in 17:48.38.
Two Ignacio entrants ended up battling for 16th place on the golf course route at Rio Grande Club & Resort. Sophomore Judah Ashley (19:40.16) outkicked sophomore Thunder Windy Boy (19:44.22).
Set for Saturday, the 2024 state 2A boys’ race is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. and the 2A Girls’ at 2:20 as CHSAA’s 82nd season of boys’ cross-country – and 47th of girls’ – concludes.
VOLLEYBALL DRILLS DOLORES: Following up a 23-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20, 11-15 near-upset at home of 2A/1A San Juan Basin heavyweight Dove Creek on Saturday, Ignacio’s Volleycats returned to IHS Gymnasium on the 29th and dominated Dolores 25-6, 25-13, 25-11.
Senior Marissa Olguin led the ’Cats with 11 kills and sophomore Lainee Bradley put down seven as sophomore setter Kelly Sirios (six kills) distributed 21 assists.
Sophomore Kendall Chavez paced DHS (8-14 overall, 4-8 SJBL) with six kills and 14 digs. Sophomore setter Madi Thornbrugh was credited with 10 assists.
Ignacio (14-8 overall; 10-2 SJBL, 7-1 2A SJBL) was to wrap up regular-season work with a Halloween Night test against 1A Southern Peaks power Sargent (18-1). Results were unavailable at press time.
