The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“I would say it played out exactly as planned”
by Than Acuff
Coach Ben Davis threw his athletes into the deep end this past weekend as the Titans headed to Colorado Springs on Saturday, May 7 to compete against some of the top 4A and 5A programs. The idea was to expose his athletes to some of the top track programs in Colorado and hopefully inspire them to step up their game. In the end, the Titans rose to the challenge, taking the opportunity to push themselves, setting a slew of personal records (PR), taking more steps closer to qualifying for the 2A state championships and even stepping up onto the podium.
“I would say it played out exactly as planned,” says Davis. “We saw some of the best sprinters and distance runners in the state, and I think they were ready for it and they ran their hearts out.”
The day got off to a tremendous start for the Titans as the meet opened with the girls’ and boys’ two-mile runs and that’s where the Titans shined.
Sydney Peterson and Sam Crossett each put in stellar efforts in the opening event. Peterson stepped into the lead by the second lap and Crossett made her push into second place midway through the race and, while their splits were well ahead of their previous efforts, Davis had little concern that they went out too fast and would crumble.
“Once I noticed their form stayed the same, I knew they had it in them,” says Davis.
Peterson and Crossett maintained their pace throughout, leaving the competition in the dust to take first and second place, respectively, with Peterson knocking 27 seconds off of her PR and Crossett shaving 30 seconds.
“It was pretty wild,” says Davis. “They came out and gave it everything they had.”
As a result of their efforts, both Titans moved up in the 2A state rankings and are in place for spots at the state championships.
“It was just Sam’s second race of the season and for her to run herself into states is pretty exciting,” says Davis.
The boys’ crew of two-mile runners followed suit, posting outstanding times and a podium result as well. Aiden Truettner lined up for his third two-mile race of the season and posted his fastest time of the year by a minute to take third place overall. Meanwhile, both Conrad Truettner and Joe Coburn set new PR times as well.
“We really started off well,” says Davis. “Aiden either qualified for state or is close to it.”
Peterson would go on the take eighth place in the mile and 10th place in the 800 meters and is now ranked in the top 10 in all three events and secured her spot at the 2A state championships.
The girls’ 4×200 meters and sprint medley relay teams continue to knock on the door of qualifying for the state meet as well. Both teams set new PR times in Colorado Springs and have one more race to punch their ticket to the big show.
“They’re not quite there, but I think they’ll make it in this weekend,” says Davis.
The boys’ relay teams got a boost when the 4×800-meter team of Aiden, Conrad, Matthew Harper-Johnston and Tate Young lined up for the event for the first time all season to place ninth and are one second off of making the cut for states. Meanwhile, the 4×200 and 4×100-meter relay teams set PRs but have more work to do if they want to get the call to the championships.
“Three out of the four exchanges were good in both races and that’s where the work needs to be put in,” says Davis.
Thomas Taaca put in PR efforts in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints and Ryan McCudden broke his previous PR in the long jump by a foot.
“He’s been trying to break his PR since last year so that was very exciting for him,” says Davis.
The Titans are now ramping up for the final meet of the regular season, the league meet in Monte Vista on Saturday, May 14. The Titans typically do well at the league meet, winning either the boys or girls team titles and sometimes both. While Davis will be pushing for that again this year, he is also focused on the relays and making one final push with them.
“All of the relays are close to the cut-off so that’s definitely what our main focus is,” says Davis.
The state championships are May 19-21 in Denver.
