MEEKER | The Barone Middle School cross-country team had its second meet of the season last Friday in Cedaredge, Colorado.
The meet, hosted by Cedaredge High School, took place on one of the high-elevation trails of the Grand Mesa National Forest. The starting and finishing lines were at an elevation of 10,800 feet, testing over 100 middle school athletes this past weekend.
Lungs and wills were pushed on the wooded 3-kilometer (1.86-mile) course. Head cross-country coach Sean Damitz was pleased with how his team competed.
“A well-known Colorado publication advises, ‘When in doubt, go higher,’ and that is what the Barone Middle School cross-country team did this past weekend at the Grand Mesa County Line Trails meet,” Damitz said.
On the girls’ side, Arionah Gutierrez led the way, finishing her first middle school race in 15th place with a time of 18:36. At the beginning of the race, there was some jostling with other racers, resulting in a fall that pushed Annie Fuller to the back of the pack. However, Fuller got the last laugh when she passed half of the field, placing 24th with a time of 20:36.
“Our early season conditioning workouts paid off, as everyone finished the second half of the race faster,” Damitz said.
On the boys’ side, Landon Damitz led the way, cracking the top 10 and placing eighth with a time of 20:05. Jackson Steele had a strong finish, placing 19th with a time of 21:36.
“We’re hoping to build a little more endurance and finishing speed for this coming weekend in Steamboat Springs,” Damitz said.
Next up for the Cowboys will be a meet hosted by Steamboat Springs Middle School on the morning of Saturday, Sept. 7.
By JARED HENDERSON
(Left) In her first middle school cross country meet, Arionah Gutierrez finished 15th on the high elevation Cedaredge course. (Right) Landon Damitz placed eighth for the BMS boys.
