MEEKER | The Barone Middle School cross-country team wrapped up its season last weekend with a final meet at home in Meeker. The team concluded its fall campaign with a dual meet against Craig Middle School last Saturday.
In the girls’ race, Arionah Gutierrez placed seventh with a time of 14:56, and Annie Fuller came in 14th with a time of 16:48. Both runners finished slightly off their personal best pace but managed to make the most of the warm, smoky day on the 1.7-mile course.
On the boys’ side, several team members spray-painted their hair pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The boys saw mixed results in their race against the Bulldogs. After leading for the first mile while being drafted by eventual race winner Jonas Pressgrove, Landon Damitz held on to finish fourth with a time of 13:04. John Anthony Castillo moved up to become the team’s third man, placing 11th with a time of 15:07. Jackson Steele finished eighth with a time of 14:17, leading a pink-haired trio that included Colton Ruder, who came in 13th with a time of 16:04, and Talen Walker, who placed 14th with a time of 16:50. Both Ruder and Walker powered through late-season injuries.
Head coach Sean Damitz was impressed with how his team performed throughout the season.
“I’m impressed with how much our athletes improved during the short season. They should all be proud of the hard work they put in and the progress they made over these past two months,” Damitz said. “I’m grateful to Kris and Marty Casey, Kari Jo Ruchti, and all the other volunteers who made this last meet run smoothly.”
By JARED HENDERSON
Arionah Gutierrez placed seventh the final middle school cross country race of the season in Meeker last weekend against Craig.