It’s been a cold season so far for track and field and the other spring sports.
Bayfield High School was scheduled to host a track meet on Tuesday, but had to postpone the event until Monday due to high winds.
In Durango High School’s latest track competition, the Pomona Invitational in Denver, snow and sleet greeted the athletes.
“Coach (Steve Thyfault) said it was one of the coldest and snowiest meets he had ever been to,” said DHS head coach Johnny Bertrand, adding, “Times around the state aren’t that fast because it’s been so cold.”
Once it starts to warm up, Bertrand said he expects his team’s times to go down.
For Durango’s home meet on Saturday, the Ron Keller Invitational, the athletes might finally get some decent weather to compete in.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a mostly sunny and breezy day with a high of 56 degrees.
Despite the early-season cold, several Demons have recorded times and heights that rank near the top in Class 4A. The top-18 times and heights and distances in each class will qualify for the state meet.
Jaxon Fancher currently ranks seventh in 4A in the 400 with a 51.04 he clocked at the Frank Woodburn Invite on April 8 in Grand Junction. At the same meet, Brenden Marquez clocked a 51.84, the 14th fastest time in the classification.
Two Demons are also near the top in the 1,600. Charlie Dillman ran a 4:29.17, the 14th best time so far for the boys. And Sofia Voss clocked a 5:14.29, the 10th best time among 4A’s girls.
Seneca Wilson has cleared 9-0 in the pole vault, ranking 14th.
Luke Swenk, meanwhile, is just outside of the bubble in the 3,200. His 9:51.99 ranks 19th.
The boys’ 4x200 relay team ranks 16th with a 1:33.73 and its 4x400 ranks eighth (3:34.59). At the Ron Keller, Bertrand said he plans on having his athletes run open races to find out who the top four are and sort out the final relay teams.
Other boys leading Durango so far include Brodie Dorko (800, 2:06.61), Xavier Sutherlin (110 hurdles, 17.69; triple jump, 37 feet, 1.25 inches), Ethan Flores (300 hurdles, 44.92), Brady Hoerl (high jump, 5-08; discus, 97-06), Nash Vareta (pole vault, 10-0) and Leith Davis (shot put, 34-07).
Voss also leads the DHS girls in the 800 (2:26.34). Jeanne Campbell has the team’s best 100 (13.80) and high jump (4-06). Mariah Maestas leads in the 200 (28.95). Sixtine Le has the top 400 (1:09.32). Ayumi Lambert has clocked the top 3,200 (12:18.16). Klara Absolonova leads DHS in the 100 hurdles (17.72) and Jessica McVaugh leads in the 300 hurdles (52.27). Juliana McKown’s long jump of 15-00 leads DHS. Aileen McManus leads in the triple jump (31-00.50. Megan Hutchins leans the shot put (29-07) and Violet Mazenko has the team’s top throw in the discus (96-05).
The Demons will compete in a field of 12-13 teams at the Ron Keller. Many teams from Four Corners will compete, including Ignacio and Bayfield.
For Bayfield’s boys, Ayden Casillas has clocked the fastest 100 (11.75) and 200 (23.85). Bradley Foutz leads the team in the 400 (55.99). Tristan Sager has the team’s best 800 (2:29.60) and 1,600 (5:30.78). Porter Sutherlin leads BHS in 3,200 (12:24.57). Will Kennedy-Jones leads in the 300-meter hurdles (52.48). Kyle Russell leads the team in the triple jump (33-08.50) and pole vault (8-09). Gabriel Archuleta’s 40-02.25 is BHS’ top shot put.
Deagan Barnes leads the team in the discus and ranks 13th in Class 3A (123-11).
For the BHS girls, Nykole Meshaw leads the team, and Class 3A, in the high jump (5-02). Meshaw also leads BHS in the long jump with the classes’ fourth-best leap so far (16-09.50).
Emily Cordova has the top 100 (14.68) and 200 (31.38). Renae Foutz leads in the 400 (1:12.19). Mia Freely leads in the 800 (3:18.36) and Carden Gillispie leads in the 1,600 (7:14.95). Sofia Pour clocked the team’s top 300 hurdles (1:00.20).
Alaysia Kremer has Bayfield’s top throws (33-07 shot put; 80-05 discus).
Chloe Sarnow leads BHS in the triple jump (26-09.50).
For the Bobcats, John Riepel has the fastest 100 (12.71) and farthest long jump (17-07.50). Kendrick Mossaman leads IHS in the 200 (26.64) and 400 (56.20). Lincoln DeKay leads IHS in the 110 hurdles (18.67), the 300 hurdles (47.77) and pole vault (8-08). James Martin’s 5:30.69 in the 1,600 leads the team. Trace Crane clocked a 2:33.66 in the 800. Norman Hackett leads IHS in the triple jump (28-09.50). Kyle Rima has the team’s top shot put (37-03) and discus (106-11).
For the Ignacio girls, Maci Barnes leads the team in four events (200, 29.88; 400, 1:07.42; 800, 2:34.23; long jump, 14-02.50). Kacey Brown leads IHS in three events (1,600, 6:43.16; shot put, 21-04; discus, 71-11). Juliann Avila ran a 20.66 in the 100 hurdles and cleared 4-06 in the high jump to lead IHS. Lauren DeKay cleared 7-02 in the pole vault.
On Saturday at DHS, field events and the 3,200 races will begin at 9 a.m. The rest of the races are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
