Durango High School’s track and field team went up against some of the best talent in the state at the Mullen Adidas Runners Roost Invitational in Denver on Saturday and came away with some hardware.

Highlighting many impressive finishes for Durango was a first place by the boys 4x800 team of Seamus Millett, Jordan Helms, Nicholas Turco and David Moenning. Also leaving Denver with a winning effort was Demons’ steady senior Benjamin Lachelt, who beat everyone in the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9 minutes, 54.93 seconds.

“It was a really great day for the kids, and we had plenty walking around with medals,” Durango head coach David McMillan said. “This was an elite bunch of competitors that came from far and wide. It was intense competition, and we ran like the small town, blue collar team we are. I’m proud of the effort.”

Lachelt’s win in the 3,200 wasn’t the only strong showing in that event from Durango. Turco, a Western State commit, finished sixth (10:11.65), and Helms was right behind him in seventh (10:16.66).

The Durango girls were led by a second-place finish in the 800-meter sprint medley relay finals, and the 4x200 team finished ninth (1:50.69).

Breann Hawman had another impressive finish in the shot put finals. Her throw of 33 feet, 10.5 inches was good for a sixth-place finish, and she followed up with an 11th place finish in the discus (99-01.00).

Demons junior Harry Steinberg finished 19th in the 1,6000-meter run finishing in 4:38.63. Sophomore Abby Scott finished 19th in the girls’ 800-meter run and 27th in the 1,600. Kathleen Duft finished in 19th in the 100-meter hurdles and 23rd in 300-meter hurdles.

jfries@ durangoherald.com