The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
“Overall, I think everyone felt proud of their races”
[ by Than Acuff ]
With the annual October Break arriving, the Crested Butte Titans cross-country team got one more race in as 13 Titans headed to Aspen on Friday, October 7 for the annual Chris Severy Invitational.
The race course presents a formidable challenge for all athletes each year with challenges throughout the course starting at the very beginning.
“One hundred meters from the start it takes runners straight up a hill,” says coach Shari Sullivan-Marshall. “The course is either going up or coming down and I think a lot of our runners learned a lot about pacing.”
Six of the seven Titan girls lined up for the opening race and Ruby Pendy stepped into the lead pack from the start and remained tough throughout the 5-kilometer course to finish in fourth place. Sophia Bender put together an incredible effort to be the next Titan to cross the line coming in 16th place overall.
“Every time I saw her she was making super smart passes,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “She just ran super-aggressive and smart.”
Josie Feier wasn’t far behind as she crossed in 20th place and Paloma Lamar continues to push with the few races she has been able to run in pacing 30th to continue to keep the girls team points looking strong.
“She is just tough as nails,” says Sullivan-Marshall.
Aubrey Laird was the final Titan to score points for the girls’ team in 32nd place and Ilo Hawley placed 41st. Once the runners had all crossed, the scores were assessed and the Titan girls’ team had finished the day in fourth place overall.
“We talked about race tactics and they all did a great job,” says Sullivan-Marshall.
Jake Pendy stepped up to the Aspen challenge as well, leading the boys’ team as he mixed it up in the front to finish the race in third place. Max Sullivan was next for the boys in 25th place and with Flint Hoyt finishing in 27th, Colby Smith in 32nd and Cody Pleak in 41st, the boys’ team had placed fourth as well. Matthew Howe closed the day in 57th and Connor Brown finished in 78th place.
“We had some runners finish higher than they typically do and others lower,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “But that’s what is great about this team, if someone’s not having a great race, someone else rises to the occasion. Overall, I think everyone felt proud of their races.”
With the Titan athletes on October Break, Sullivan-Marshall and co-coach Vince Rogers have asked them to remain active in some capacity and when they get back on Monday, October 17, the team returns to action with the postseason on the near horizon.
“When they get back we will start to sharpen things up,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “I think they got a valuable experience in Aspen and the regional course will feel flat to them.”
