Battle Mountain Track Team Excels with Senior Leadership

Battle Mountain's track and field team wrapped up its final Husky Invite with a strong showing — Gabe Dozois led the charge, clearing 5-feet-8 inches in the high jump for a personal best. That's his third consecutive week of improvement. Dozois, a senior, is a unique case — he started every sport he plays in high school, from scratch. No early specialization for him. He's now the captain of three teams: cross-country, Nordic skiing, and track.

The Husky Invite was a cold, snowy affair, but that didn't dampen the team's spirits. Dozois credits "dogged determination" for the team's success, they've stuck with it, even when things get tough. And it's paid off. Ruthie DeMino, another senior, competed in the 800-meter run and pole vault, just weeks after competing in the U.S. Alpine senior national championships. She placed second in the 800, with a time of 2 minutes, 34.86 seconds.

Sawyer Willis, the team's top pole vaulter, didn't compete due to a hamstring injury; but he's optimistic about the season so far. "It's been pretty good," he said. Willis is a four-sport athlete, and he's learned a thing or two about what makes his class unique. "We're all different in our own ways," he said. "We're diverse; I think that makes us really strong."

The team's diversity is on full display - DeMino's versatility in competing in both track and alpine events is just one example. Dozois, too, has learned to leverage his size and strength to improve his technique. But he's not just focused on individual improvement. he's also working to lift up his teammates. "It's also just been working with the team as well," he said. "Not just technique on myself, but technique with the team: how to help them out, how to motivate them to work on their technique, work on their jumps."

Eagle Valley's Tiago Horruitiner dominated the high jump and long jump events, winning both with leaps of 6-02 and 21-03, respectively. But the real story here is Battle Mountain's seniors, they're a tight-knit group, and they're making the most of their last year competing together. Dozois, DeMino, and Willis are all proof that sticking with it, and working together, can pay off in a big way. Make no mistake, this team is one to watch; and their determination is something to be admired.

The short version: Battle Mountain's track and field team is on a roll, with several seniors leading the charge. They're a diverse, versatile group - and they're ending their high school careers on a high note. Read that again: they're not just individual athletes, they're a team. And that's what's making all the difference. Worth watching: how they'll finish out the season, and what's next for these talented seniors. The question is, what's next for this talented group of athletes? Their future plans are uncertain, but for now, they're savoring their success, and enjoying every moment. The community is taking notice; folks around here are proud of what these kids have accomplished. And they should be - it's not every day you see a group of athletes so dedicated, so passionate about their sport. The team's success is a direct result of the power of hard work, determination, and teamwork. As the season comes to a close, these seniors will be missed. But their legacy will live on, inspiring future generations of athletes to follow in their footsteps.