News Summary

The Eagle Valley Invitational held in Gypsum saw the Meeker High School and Barone Middle School cross country teams put their training to the test. With spirited performances from both schools, the day showcased determination and the thrill of competition among athletes. Notable finishes included Barone’s Arionah Gutierrez and Meeker’s Haylee Steele, while the boys’ team achieved personal records. Coach Marty Casey praised the efforts of all athletes as they now prepare for the upcoming Coal Ridge Invitational.

Cross Country Runners Showcase Their Skills at Eagle Valley Invitational

In the charming town of Meeker, excitement was in the air as the *Meeker High School* and *Barone Middle School* cross country teams laced up their running shoes for the Eagle Valley Invitational this past Saturday. The picturesque Siena Valley Club in Gypsum provided the perfect backdrop for the day’s race, where athletes from both schools put their training to the test. It was a day filled with determination, burning energy, and the thrill of competition.

Barone Middle School Runners Take on the Challenge

The Barone Middle School cross country team brought a spirited group of four runners to tackle the challenging 3K course. Leading the charge was Arionah Gutierrez, who crossed the finish line in 31st place with an impressive time of 15 minutes and 40 seconds. Following closely behind her was Gracelyn Walker, finishing 57th at 18:29, and Jayna Damitz, who wasn’t far behind, finishing 58th with a time of 18:30. Making her season debut, Jaylyn Tatum placed 74th with a time of 20:20, marking a promising start for the budding athlete.

Meeker High School Girls Step Up

Meanwhile, the high school girls race featured senior Haylee Steele, who finished strong in 146th place out of 205 runners, clocking in at 28:31. Although the race was competitive, Steele demonstrated resilience, showing improvement as the season progresses.

Boys Team Works Hard and Achieves Goals

The Meeker Cowboys’ boys team rounded up the day, placing 15th in the team scoring. Sophomore Bradley Conrado emerged as the top finisher for the boys, proudly securing 67th place with a time of 20:17. Freshman Landon Damitz celebrated a personal record in this race, finishing 74th at 20:27. Hot on their heels were sophomore Ryan Hanberg, who clocked in at 20:41 for a commendable 82nd place, and senior Cameron Hanberg, rounding out the top finishers at 100th with a time of 21:19.

Completing the scoring for the Cowboys was sophomore Ashton Tapia, who finished in 138th place at 22:49. Other team members, including sophomore Asa Scofield, made an impression by setting a personal best of 31:11 in 212th place, while senior Remy Broussard followed closely at 213th with a time of 31:18.

Supportive Coaches Encourage Promising Future

Head coach Marty Casey expressed pride in the athletes, praising their efforts and pointing to their continual progress. The favorable weather on race day allowed the runners to focus on competing against each other and themselves, inspiring a sense of determination and camaraderie among teammates.

Looking Ahead to the Coal Ridge Invitational

As the excitement of the Eagle Valley Invitational faded, the focus now shifts to the upcoming *Coal Ridge Invitational*, where the Cowboys are set to compete in New Castle this Friday morning. The schedule is packed, with middle school races kicking off at 8 a.m., followed by high school girls and boys races at 9 a.m. and 9:45 a.m., respectively.

As the Meeker cross country teams continue their journey, there’s no doubt that they will gather more experience and run even closer to their personal bests. Let’s cheer them on and see how they fare in their next adventure!

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