RANGELY | For the first time in nearly two full years, the Rangely High School track and field team was able to load up a bus and hit the track, pits, and rings as they competed in the Rifle High School Invitational this past weekend. The Panthers quickly shook off some of the rust and competed at a very high level, capturing several top spots throughout the day.
Timothy Scoggins came in third in the high jump at the Rifle Invitational. The girls relay team includes Mary Scoggins, Maya Mercado, Emma Smith and Dixie Rhea. | MATT SCOGGINS PHOTO
Leading the way for the Panthers was senior Dixie Rhea, who ran a blistering 13.28 second race in the 100-meter dash and 27.26 in the 200-meter dash. Rhea was runner-up in both events and is currently sitting in the top 10 rankings of the very early Colorado 2A season. Rhea also ran the opening leg of the 4×400-meter relay that placed third along with Emma Smith, Maya Mercado and Mary Scoggins. Mercado and Scoggins both competed well in their respective events as well, with Mercado placing second in the high jump after clearing 4 feet, 10 inches and Scoggins taking second in the triple jump with a distance of 34-0. The girls’ team finished fifth overall among the 14 teams competing.
The Panthers had a lot of first-time experiences on the boys’ side, with Kenyon Cochran earning the highest placing when he walked away from the discus ring in second after throwing 127 feet, 8 inches. This was Cochran’s first high school meet, but he took full advantage of the competition as his throw has him ranked seventh in the state. Andrew Dorris, also competing at the high school track level for the first time, had a great showing as he placed third and fifth in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs, respectively. Timothy Scoggins threw his career’s first in the shot put, heaving a 38-0.5 to finish fifth. Scoggins also finished third in the high jump.
“I am really proud of everyone and their performances,” said head coach Beth Scoggins. “I am looking forward to seeing the improvements that will be made in the next couple of weeks.” The team will travel to Hotchkiss to compete on Saturday as the young team continues to build on their training.
Special to the Herald Times
