As far as promising starts go, the Manitou Springs track team is off and running. The Mustangs made their way to the Early Bird meet at CSU-Pueblo on March 12 to kick off the 2022 season and they couldn’t have asked for a lot more, considering the results.

The team left the ThunderBowl with several top 10 placers and even a handful of gold to show that this team will be ready to show up and compete all season long.

“It’s a good benchmark compared to last year,” coach Anna Mack said. “We’re a little ahead of where we were. We’re not too far ahead that it’s worrisome, so I think we’re safe.”

By that, Mack means that she doesn’t think this team is going to peak at the wrong time. There were several personal records throughout the day, but she sees that more of a result of the work the kids have put into their growth and development rather than them trying to perform at their best right away.

Bella Coscetti established her expectations early as she won the high jump, triple jump and pole vault. She also took third in the 300-meter hurdles. Kayla Apotheker added to the gold medal count as her 28.78 seconds was good enough to win the 200 dash.

It wasn’t necessarily the time she was looking for, but her finish helped her understand what her goals will be for the season.

“I’ve run a 28, which isn’t crazy good, but I’m happy with starting there,” she said. “My goal is to make state in the 200 and maybe try for the school record.”

That record is 26.50 seconds, set by Connie Crabbs in 1993.

The boys had a good all-around showing as they took a lot of top-five finishes. Jackson Dunlap took fourth in the 100 dash, Lairden Rogge took second in both the 200 and 400, Cody Kelley took fourth in the 1,600 and Kian O’Boyle took second in the 300 hurdles.

The lone win for the boys came for John Maynard in the high jump where his 6 feet, 4 inches was a personal record.

“I know I have to go in and compete with (Woodland Park’s) Sonny (Ciccarelli) so getting a PR right away was good,” Maynard said. “Competing against (Class) 4A and 5A schools really helps with that.”

The Mustangs head to the Harrison Panther Invite this weekend and will then be off for spring break.