The Meeker High School cross country team continued its season on the road Sept. 19, competing at the Eagle Valley Cross Country Invitational in Gypsum, hosted by Eagle Valley High School.
The Cowboys finished ninth as a team with a combined time of 1 hour, 40 minutes, 44 seconds and 252 points.
Head coach Marty Casey said the Cowboys competed well despite racing in large fields against several big teams.
“The team ran well,” Casey said. “These were large fields of racers, and some big teams, and we had a solid showing.”
Sophomore Landon Damitz led Meeker, finishing 26th overall with a time of 18 minutes, 27 seconds. Junior Bradley Conrado followed in 46th at 19:16, while junior Ryan Hanberg finished 52nd at 19:32.
Damitz has now led the Cowboys twice this season. Casey said he managed his pace well early before finishing strong.
“Landon is still learning his race strategy, but he managed his pace well early in the race and was able to push hard for the second half,” Casey said.
Casey said keeping that group together will be important to Meeker’s team scores.
“We certainly want to keep that pack mentality going,” Casey said. “If we can keep them running together and near the front of the pack, we will continue to see good team scores.”
Sophomore Jackson Steele was Meeker’s fourth scorer, placing 97th in 21:21. Junior Ashton Tapia rounded out the Cowboys’ scoring five in 110th at 22:06.
Casey said Steele turned in one of his better performances of the season.
“Jackson had a great race, with his best time this year on a slower course than some of the others,” Casey said.
“We are seeing the benefits of the training so far, and are looking forward to some of the faster courses to come,” Casey said.
On the girls side, sophomore Tinlie Strate finished 48th in 23:24.6, while junior Abigail Amick finished 171st in 36:42.6.
“She ran well,” Casey said of Strate. “Her time was only a bit slower than last week, which was a faster course.”
The Cowboys will return to competition Sept. 25 at the Delta-Sweitzer Lake Invitational, with races scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.
“We are working on keeping a competitive mindset, with an eye on late season races,” Casey said.
The Class 2A regional meet is scheduled for Oct. 23 at Confluence Park in Delta.
MHS runners from left, Ryan Hanberg, Jackson Steele, Landon Damitz, Bradley Conrado and Ashton Tapia.