Even with nonstop rain, its intensity fluctuating, leading to Mancos’ 2025 Chicken Creek Challenge being rerouted away from its regular forested course – muddied beyond belief in many spots – and onto nearby Montezuma County Road 40, Ignacio High’s boys cross-country team nevertheless ran well.
With the word ‘finish’ becoming almost as important as ‘flood,’ three Bobcats ended up placing top 10 as IHS ended up second in the meet’s overall standings and first among 2A/3A San Juan Basin League teams.
Leading the ’Cats was senior Trace Crane, who clocked a third-place time of 18 minutes, 20.51 seconds. Dolores sophomore Joseph Padilla won in 18:12.42, and Pagosa Springs freshman Rylan Ash earned second in 18:18.20 – or barely 2.3 ticks ahead of Crane, who fortunately outkicked Monticello, Utah, senior Kooper Nielson (18:21.66) to the almost-invisible finish line.
IHS junior Thunder Windy Boy came in fifth, posting an 18:48.41, and roughly 10 ticks later, senior James Martin (18:58.57) placed sixth. Junior Judah Ashley was the next ’Cat in, taking 25th in 21:04.49.
In score-4 mathematics, Monticello rocketed up to first overall with just 33 points and Ignacio ascended to second – but to first among SJBL squads – with 37. Dolores (39) dipped to third overall despite being paced by the SJBL’s individual champ, and thus to second in league, while PSHS (70) finished fourth and Telluride (94) in fifth.
On the girls side to nobody’s surprise, SJBL force Ridgway – led by sophomores Natasha Hessler (19:58.13, 2nd), Ariel Hessler (20:18.25, 3rd) and Emery Cornell (21:36.95, 4th) – totaled a meet-low 15 points.
Led by senior Austin Cook’s winning 19:08.91, Telluride (33) left as the league runner-up and placed second overall. Pagosa Springs (45) popped into the standings and swiped third.
Individually, Ignacio freshman Ireland Cates clocked a 38th-place 38:19.99.
Bayfield had been scheduled to compete but chose, as did at least three other teams, to withdraw.
Looking ahead, BHS and IHS are scheduled to next run Friday at the Sargent-hosted Eric Wolff Invitational, with its high school girls feature at the Monte Vista Golf Club slated for 10:15 a.m. and the boys following at 11.
Ignacio will then begin final preparations to both host and compete on the Oct. 24 at the Class 2A Region IV Championships. Start time that day at Jack-a-lope Acres is scheduled for 10 a.m.
