Running at the revitalized 2024 Bayfield Invitational Saturday morning, Sept. 14, Ignacio High’s boys booked two top five finishes upon the Dove Ranch/Pine Valley Church course, though with only four entrants IHS wasn’t in contention for the meet’s team title.
Nevertheless, junior Trace Crane clocked 20:08.24 and finished third, with classmate James Martin fourth in 20:17.96. Sophomore Thunder Windy Boy took 27th in 22:33.24, and fellow soph Judah Ashley placed 37th in 23:47.04 – meaning the Bobcats all placed well within the top half of the event’s 84-runner field.
Dolores junior Aaron Nielson finished first in 19 minutes, 28.73 seconds, and Farmington, N.M., junior Kolton Jones was runner-up in 19:43.14. BHS junior Porter Sutherlin rounded out the top five, his 20:43.48 the hosting Wolverines’ best time.
In the score-5 team standings, FHS and BHS ultimately tied with meet-low scores of 59 points, but the Scorpions were declared the champion via their higher-placing No. 6 runner. Pagosa Springs accumulated 69 points and ranked third, with DHS (81) and Montezuma-Cortez (107) following. Newcomb, N.M. (166), Blanca Sierra Grande (218), San Luis Centennial (229) and Antonito (230) filled out the standings.
In the preceding girls’ race, Ignacio’s Alyssa Atencio placed 42nd overall in 34 minutes, 54.52 seconds, but was the only Lady ’Cat in a 54-runner field. First place went to PSHS senior Sienna Rose (23:46.74), second to Dolores senior Elia Lowe (24:24.87) and third to PSHS sophomore Kaiya Lyons (24:36.47), with Bayfield sophomore Abigail Robertson (25:01.87) and Farmington junior Talitha George (25:11.59) filling out the top five.
Pagosa Springs (46 points) edged out FHS (47) for first place in the team standings, with Dolores (59), BHS (88) and Newcomb (106) following on a day where 13 schools – up from four in 2023 and eight in ’22 – competed in either or both races.
Ignacio will next see action Friday morning, Sept. 20, at Dolores’ Boggy Draw Bear Chase. Typically, a season-opening meet during the last half-decade, the 2024 Chase is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.