Rattler boys win track title

Quay County high school track and field teams brought home two-team state championships, a state team runner up, a third place team and several individual state champions.

The Tucumcari Rattler boys track and field team won the 3A state team championship on Saturday at the 1A-3A state track and field championships at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.

"I am extremely proud of how boys and girls teams performed this season," said Wayne Ferguson, Tucumcari head track coach.

Ferguson said the success of the program is due to the dedication of the athletes, who overcame obstacles, while pushing themselves to improve throughout the season. He said the program would not have been able to produce such results without the dedication of the entire coaching staff. "Each of the coaches worked with the athletes countless hours to help them develop," Ferguson said.

The last championship won by the Rattlers boys team was in 2008.

They will be hanging a state 2A girls track and field championship banner and 2A boys state runner-up banner at Logan.

The Logan Lady Longhorns won the school's first girls state track and field championship Saturday in Albuquerque.

"The girls did an outstanding job of adjusting throughout the season," said Robert Young, Logan head track coach.

Young said injuries early in the season led to a rotation of runners in the girls relay teams. He said at first it was a challenge to get the teams to sync, however, as the season progressed, the decision to sub in new relay runners gave the team depth and options at the state tournament.

Young said on top of winning a championship, the entire young Lady Longhorns should be returning next year. He said the team will have a chance to continue to improve and work together for another championship run next season.

Young said the Longhorns track team tried their best to win a third 2A track and field state championship but fell short this year. He said the team won the 2016 and 2015 state 2A championships and despite losing several athletes, pursued a third title with relentless dedication.

The San Jon Coyotes boys track and field team placed third in the 1A state track and field championships.

The Coyotes and Lady Coyotes had several state champions and placers.

Coyotes senior Joseph Benavidez won three state championships, triple jump, the 100 meter run and the 200 meter run.

House Cowgirl Jordyn Stowe won the 1A state championship in Javelin with a throw of 105 feet. Cowboy Justin Downey, placed second in the 300 meter hurdles with a time of 43.43.