The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Prepare for Front Range race
With a few nagging injuries and achy joints, coach Emma Catmur cut her team down to nine runners for the Ramble at the Reservoir in Ridgway on Friday, September 19.
While the vibe of the race is fairly relaxed, the course is anything but, posing a challenge for competitors.
“It’s a small, fun meet for the kids but the course is really tough,” says Catmur. “There were some complaints but they made it.”
As has always been the case so far this season, sophomore Erin Kelly led the girls’ team, placing second on the five-kilometer course with a time of 22:01.
Senior Maddie Garcia got back on track after missing the last race, finishing in third place with a time of 22:50.
“It was nice to have her back,” says Catmur.
Senior Kelli Hargrove pulled into the top 20 in her effort, finishing in 19th place with a time of 28:10, and freshman Jessie D’Aquila came in 25th place in a time of 29:05.
Sophomore Madeline Malzhan pushed through the pain of a pre-race twisted ankle to come in 27th, sophomore Jenna D’Aquila took 35th and senior Jessie Frame finished in 43rd place.
Catmur had two boys battling in a field of nearly 70 runners, led by junior Nicholas Harper Johnson.
Harper Johnson continues on his rise to reach for his top pace with every race and finished in 22nd place in Ridgway with a time of 22:12.
“I think he’s still getting stronger with each race,” says Catmur.
Freshman David Bright is following the same track as Harper Johnson, making strides every week.
Bright pushed himself throughout the race, passing people up through the finish line to come in 54th place with a time of 26:06.
Catmur now has the team focused on the Central Invitational in Pueblo on Saturday, September 27.
“We’ll definitely see some competition and some Front Range schools,” says Catmur.
Fortunately, Catmur should have a fully rested squad for the race, including the addition of junior Monica Konsella, and looks to see her team rise to the challenge among the bigger schools.
