Local teams use Bill Slade Invite to prepare for district

KIRTLAND

With district meets nearly two weeks away local athletes are within inches and meters away from sealing their trip to the state meets in Albuquerque.

They’re also not letting anything get in the way of make their qualifications or performing at their absolute best. Despite frigid weather and ACT testing, local athletes gathered at the annual Kirtland Central’s Bill Slade Invitational on April 18.

For the Broncos, shot put thrower Isaac Decker took the title at his home meet throwing a 46-05, a personal best. In distance running for the Broncos, Aaron Bunny, Koby Blackwater and Jonathan Charley were within seconds of qualifying for state in the 1600-meter run.

Guillory said things are also coming along in the other events.

“We continue to progress on our relays, hurdles, and field events,” he said.

Kirtland Central head boy’s track and field coach Heath Guillory said, “I was pleased with the way my boys competed on Saturday, considering all the factors.”

Farmington’s boys team took first with 100 points, followed by Piedra Vista with 98 points, Aztec with 72 and then the Broncos with 71 for fourth. Many of the scores did not reflect full performances as some athletes were out due to ACT testing.

For the girls, Piedra Vista placed first with 143 points, Aztec with 125 and Kirtland Central and Shiprock tied with 45 points each for third.

Piedra Vista sophomore Angel Bridges helped the Lady Panthers to a first-place victory when she threw at 34-09 in the shot put event.

She said with tough competition it’s been a roller-coaster season. She added that she and the rest of the team have to be more competitive as they graduated many seniors last season.

“It’s been a tough year but it’s a good year, a lot of competition,” she said. “At lot of the seniors were dominating, now that they’re gone we had to step up and bring back the competition.”

Kirtland Central’s Megan Silversmith took the title in javelin when she threw 102-04 in the event.

Navajo Prep’s Sarah Chacon was another top athlete, as she placed first in the 400-meter dash with a time of 1:05.97.

Shiprock girls battled it out in the 1,600-meter run. Shiprock senior Megan Johnson placed first in the race with a time of 5:55.39, followed by sophomore teammate Destiny Rockwell in 5:58.62.

Arizona boy’s teams, Red Valley/Cove High School and Red Mesa High School, had their own competition in the boy’s 3,200-meter run.

Red Mesa’s Alex Yellowhair finished in first with a time of 10:47.51 and Red Valley/Cove’s Devin Howe finished behind him turning in a 10:49.55.

Guillory said the upcoming weeks are all about preparation for mid May.

“These next few weeks of preparation are critical,” he said. “We have to continue to work hard in practice and show improvement every week in order to be ready for the district and state track meets.”

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