RANGELY | The Rangely Panthers track and field team traveled to Grand Junction this past weekend to compete in the Phil Wertman Invitational. A mix of finally getting some good weather and competing in a large meet with some of the best athletes in the state gave the Panthers all they needed to have some of their top performances of the year.
The boys’ team was led by James Talbot and Jordan Irwin and their runner-up finishes. James Talbot was second in the 1,600-meter run with a time of 4:37.92 as Jordan Irwin cleared 10-6 in the pole vault for his second-place finish. Also competing in the mile was Joseph Valdez in 5:27.42 and Gage Nielsen in 6:50.85. Kacey Allred cleared 9-0 as Izaiah Moody went over 7-0 in the pole vault.
Chase Cochrane had a nice day in the discus, finishing 14th with a throw of 111-9. Justin Allred threw 103-8 in the event and Jaren Blankenship threw 65-1. Logan Peterson lept 17-10 in the long jump with teammates Lincoln Harris and Davon Lucero leaping 16-3 and 14-11.5, respectively.
Jordan Irwin was the top finisher for the Panthers in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.40. Robert Murray sprinted to a time of 27.08 and Izaiah Moody 27.98. Logan Peterson led the way for a trio of Panthers in the 100m dash when he crossed the line in 12.21. Robert Murray was right on his heels in 12.57 and Davon Lucero ran 13.04.
Gage Nielsen was the lone Panther in the 800m run with a time of 3:05.26. Likewise, Jaren Blankenship was the only Panther to throw the shot put, as he heaved a 27-5.
The lady Panthers were led by three top-five finishes in the pole vault. Miah Wren led the way with a clearance of 8-0 for second place, Kastyne Dembowski cleared 7-6 to claim fourth, and Tylee Fielder went over 7-0 for fifth.
Kastyn Dembowski also cleared 4-10 in the high jump, good enough for third place. Taya Wren raced to a fourth-place finish in the 1600m run in 5:36.44. Addison Scott led three lady Panthers to top-10 finishes in the triple jump with her 30-6.25 taking fifth, Kaelyn Geer’s 30-0 claiming sixth, and Aubrianna Tapia’s 28-7.25 taking 10th.
Addison Scott lept 14-7 in the long jump for seventh place with teammates Emma Smith and Kaelyn Geer jumping 13-6.25 and 12-7.75, respectively. Aubrianna Tapia was 11th in the shot put with her throw of 28-3 as Miley Francis threw 21-1 and Amber Castillo 14-5.5.
Amber Castillo ran the 400m on her own, finishing in 1:13.11. Miley Francis joined her in the discus, however, and threw 68-11 as Amber Castillo threw 57-1. Rachel Elder ran the 200m dash in 30.96 and Macy Morgan completed the 800m run in 4:31.35. Rachel Elder sprinted through the line in 14.63 and Emma Smith in 15.46 in the 100m dash.
Both boys and girls teams were able to put together some competitive relay teams. The girls’ 800m SMR finished 3rd in 2:01.41 and the boys 4x400m relay finished 6th in 3:49.29. The boys also put together a 7th place finish in the 4x800m relay with a time of 9:09.67 as the girls 4x200m relay also secured 7th in 1:59.18. Both boys and girls ran the 4x100m relay with the girls finishing eighth in 56.37 and the boys taking 14th in 49.13.
The Panthers will compete at home next weekend for the Rangely Panther Invitational on April 20.
