craigdailypress.com

After competing in two relay meets to start the season, players and coaches on the Bulldogs track teams are ready for a change of pace.

On Saturday, Moffat County High School (MCHS) will get that switch when they take part in the Palisade Invitational.

"I am excited that we finally don't have all relays and that we get to compete in open events," said girls coach Mike Gleason. "We still have a lot of questions to be answered and this will get us closer to answering those questions."

The boys team knows what's at stake on Saturday.

"This is our biggest meet so far," said senior boys distance runner Brett Duncan. "There will be 28 teams there and I am excited because there will be a lot of competition down there. We are not really stacked in all events that we need to be in to place real high. We will place in the middle somewhere."

A year ago at the Palisade Invitational, the girls team finished in fourth place while the boys team ended in ninth place.

The Bulldogs, who compete in Class 4A, will get a workout by three Class 5A schools in Durango, Grand Junction High School and Fruita Monument.

"Most of the Western Slope teams will be there," said Gleason. "A year ago, those were the only three 5A schools that were there. They finished in the top three and the girls ended up fourth. It should be a good test for us."

According to boys coach Gary Tague, his team starts each season slowly because of the weather during practice, but comes on in the end for the state meet.

"We are excited about going down to the meet," said Tague. "We are usually late bloomers around here. During the first part of the season we usually don't place that high in meets, but as time goes on we seem to get better and better. We will get to see a lot of good teams that will be down there and that will make us a better team."