La Veta competes at Center Invitational meet
by David High
MONTE VISTA — You know it is springtime in the Rockies and the high school track season has begun when the cinders and odd shaped objects begin to fly into the crisp air.
The first track meet of the season for the La Veta Redskins track team was the Center Invitational Meet held in Monte Vista this past Friday. A small contingent of La Veta boys and girls made the trip over the pass to compete against a large field of some 20 plus schools from around southeastern and southwestern Colorado.
The boy’s team was led by senior Eric Morgan who placed eighth in the 800M run in a time of 2:27.09. Morgan also placed fourth in the 1600M event finishing with a time of 5:29.21.
Javen Enns competed as well in the 800M and 1600M events finishing 33rd and 26th respectively.
Dalton Mason finished the long jump at a distance of 13 feet 3.75 inches for 35th. Jose Aguirre placed 20th in the shot put with a distance of 26 feet nine inches.
The boy’s team finished 17th out of 26 teams with Salida taking the honors in first place with 92 points.
The Redskin girls made their mark in the early season debut with Alexis Topping placing the highest with a sixth place finish in the discus with a throw of 90 feet 0.5 inches. Topping was a 16th place finisher in the shot put at 23 feet 3 inches.
Eleanor Masington completed well coming in 10th in the 1600M run 7:02.06 and 13th in the 800M run at 3:16.75.
Hope Jones placed 23rd in the 800M at 3:50.99.
Cori Beth Topping finished 11th in the shot put and 17th in the discus with distances of 25’3“ and 61’1.5”, respectively.
Kalynn Palmer finished 14th in the shot put at 24’6.5”and 24th in the discus at 54’ 6.5”.
The girl’s team finished in 18th place with Buena Vista in first place with 125 points on the day.
Long time and successful Redskin coach Ron Ortivez who is returning to coaching at La Veta High School after an absence will be coaching the teams along with Lila Cordova. Both coaches have high hopes for the teams to return many of the its members to State this year.
Coach Ortivez has Morgan returning in the 800 and 1600M events and feels he will have a very good year in those events. Morgan is fourth in class 1A in the 1600M and fifth in the 800M after the first week of meets.
Coach Cordova has a large compliment of excellent throwers going into the season in Cailee Sanchez, Alexis Topping, Cori Topping, and Kalynn Palmer.
“Alexis Topping, who stands in third in class 1A looks to go over the 100’ mark this year in the discus and should make her presence known at State,” commented the coach.
