Titans runners race the clock at regionals for a trip to state

Coburn, Kelly, Smith, Vosburg and Linehan headed to state

The Titans track team headed to the 2A regional meet in Grand Junction May 9-10 looking to add a couple more athletes to the list of Titans headed to the state meet.

“We were hoping to get a couple more state qualifiers,” says coach Sarah Fuld.
In the end, that’s just what they did.
Freshman Erin Kelly led the charge for the girls’ team, setting a new personal record in the two-mile with a time of 12:18.04 to finish in fourth place.
Her effort shaved 30 seconds off her previous best time and was well within the cutoff time for state qualification—thus earning her a spot at the state meet.
Kelly also ran her first sub-six-minute-mile to take fifth place and was part of the girls’ winning 4×800-meter relay team.
“She had a great meet,” says coach Fuld.
Senior Emma Coburn, junior Emma Vosburg, freshman Hannah Smith and Kelly combined to take first place in the 4×800-meter relay at regionals with a time of 10:35.97.
The title didn’t come easy though, as the team fell back into second place by 200 meters heading into the anchor leg.
Vosburg took the baton and charged out, destined to reel the leader in. With 300 meters to go, Vosburg had cut the lead down to 20 meters and was closing fast.
Vosburg made her move with 100 meters to go, charging into first place for the win and a berth to the state meet.
“It was a valiant effort from Emma,” says Fuld. “The last 100 meters she had a great kick to bring home the win.”
Coburn was relegated to the relay and one other event due to injury. Yet, while her ailments may have slowed her down, she still won the 800-meter run, continuing her domination in the mid- to long-range running events.
The girls 4×100 relay team of freshmen Kelsey Beltz, Karleigh Dean, Shannon Holleran and sophomore Sydney Loyed may not have qualified for the state meet, but they hit a season-long milestone in their final meet of the year.
“They hit their time they’ve been shooting for all season,” says Fuld.
Junior Jack Linehan continues to gain breakneck speed with each passing week in both the mile and the 800 meters.
Linehan won the mile with a time of 4:43.39 and the 800 meters with a time of 2:03.83 and is headed to states to compete in both events.
Sophomore Nicholas Harper-Johnson set a new personal record in last meet of the season in the mile, finishing in sixth place with a time of 5:00.58.
The boys’ 4×100-meter relay team of sophomores Jenner Currier and Eric Jernigan and freshmen Sky Eglehoff and Ben Frame set a personal record, as did freshman Henry Linehan in the two-mile.
But the coach’s highlight of the meet came from sophomore Eric Jernigan’s effort in his first 800-meter run.
Jernigan spent the season as a sprinter but asked to give the 800 meters a try in the last meet of the season.
He came out of the start fast and managed to hold on for an impressive finish in his first attempt.
“I thought he came out a little fast but he was able to sustain it and ran a great 800,” says Fuld.
Fuld has five athletes headed with her to the state meet at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17.
Coburn looks to close her high school track career in fine form and could add a couple more state titles to her list of accomplishments.
Fuld also looks for the girls’ 4×800 relay team to make a strong showing, as well as a breakout performance from Kelly in her first trip.
“I’m hoping we take top three in the relay if everyone’s feeling good,” says Fuld. “I really wouldn’t be surprised if Erin makes it up high on the podium. She’s a fighter. We’re really excited for states.”