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Bluejays making strides in track performances

Burton wins again, several others athletes crack top 10

Competing at numerous meets during the past few weeks, the Mancos High School girls and boys track teams have found individual victories hard to come by.

Solid finishes have been common for the Bluejays, however, as they continue to improve in what has been a solid year thus far.

Bluejays solid in Durango

One of 11 schools competing at the Ron Keller Invitational in Durango on April 15, the Bluejays showcased their versatility and enjoyed several top 10 finishes.

Leading the boys team, Ro Paschal turned in a solid performance, finishing eighth in the 800-meter run (2:09.22).

Also running well for the boys in a distance event, Justin Burton finished sixth in the 3200 (11:25.69).

Pacing the Bluejays in the sprint events, Andrew Plunkett finished 10th in the 200 (25.89). Plunkett also turned in a solid performance in the triple jump, finishing ninth (34 feet, 9 inches).

Other boys performing well in Durango included Brandon Hood-Farley, who finished sixth in the triple jump (35 feet, 8¾ inches), Nigel Henry, who finished seventh in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), Adrian Hernandez, who finished eighth in the triple jump (34 feet, 9¾ inches) and Ty Koppenhafer, who finished 10th in the shot put (37 feet).

Leading the Mancos girls team, Brandi Bundy finished fifth in the 100 (14.99) and 19th in the 200 (32.08).

Also turning in solid performances for the girls team, Kristin Adams finished seventh in the 200 (30.21), Emma Most finished eighth in the 1600 (6:24.09) and Hannah Skinner crossed the line ninth in the 1600 (6:30.58).

Bluejays close out week in Bayfield

Finishing out the week at the Pine River Invitational in Bayfield on April 19, the Bluejays put together an impressive performance.

Leading the girls team, Skinner finished third in the 1600 (6:29.38).

Also cracking the top 10, Adams crossed the line sixth in the 400 (1:11.78), Jessica Gutierrez finished seventh in the triple jump (26 feet, 1¾ inch), Taylor Goff finished eighth in the discus (77 feet, 3 inches) and Bundy finished ninth in the 100 (14.67).

Pacing the boys team, Burton enjoyed a solid day, finishing first in the 1600 (5:00.17) and second in the 3200 (11:23.99).

Just behind Burton in the 1600 was Paschal, who finished second overall with a time of 5:04.67. Paschal came through with a second runner-up finish in the 800 (2:15.31).

Other top finishers for the boys team were Anthony Reiners, who finished second in the 300 hurdles (43.97), Plunkett, who finished fourth in the triple jump (38 feet, 2½ inches) and sixth in the high jump (5 feet, 5 inches) and Chase Sanders, who finished seventh in the 100 (12.71).

Leading the way for the Bluejays in the throwing events, Koppenhafer finished seventh in the discus (106 feet, 1 inch).

Next on the schedule the Mancos track teams is the B&B Invitational, which will take place in Aztec, April 25-26.