Monticello High School cross country teams continue to make strong strides down the homestretch of season

Fall is in the air and there’s something about running in the crisp fall air that is good for the soul. The Monticello cross country team started off the month of October this past Friday in Durango, CO at the 2021 Four Corners Cross Country Classic hosted by the Durango Demons at the Hillcrest Golf Course.

Boston Freestone has been constant this season as the Buckaroos’ top runner. He led the boys to a fifth-place finish at the Classic, coming across the finish line in ninth.

Jesse Pettit, Kaden Pehrson, and Curtis Bunker have each taken turns leading their pack of three. This week Pettit came in second for the team, finishing in 13th place with Pehrson and Bunker in 15th and 23rd.

Josh Wheeler, Easton Young, and Jacob Johnson crossed the line in 24th, 37th, and 40th respectively. Soren Welch finished 54th with Aaron Gillette following four seconds behind in 56th place and Carter Harrod finished 85th.

Lily Long took the lead for the Monticello girls, finishing the race in fifth place. Lilli Burton was next in line for the Lady Bucks, placing 14th overall.

Marah Long, Alexis Bailey, and Abigail Crowley crossed the finished line in 25th, 54th, and 59th places respectively as Monticello placed fourth as a team overall.

Both teams continue to see improvements each week and are hoping to continue to make strides over the next three weeks leading up to the state race.

When asked about the most recent race and his thoughts on the cross country season so far, senior Boston Freestone stated “The Durango meet was great. Most of us felt super good and it showed. I’m excited about how our team has been performing this season and I’m excited to see where we end up at regions and state.”

This week, the Buckaroos will compete in their last Colorado race of the season. They’ll head to Mancos on Saturday, October 9 to run in the Chicken Creek Challenge hosted by the Bluejays.