The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Close season with Montrose Relays
The Titans cross-country team recovered from the flu and October Break and is primed for a run at the post season with regionals coming up in Aspen on Saturday, October 24. Just as the team was gaining steam, they hit a snag at the Chris Severy Invitational two weeks ago.
The temporary lull had coach Connie Hayden a bit concerned, but after their performance this past weekend at the Montrose Relays, things are looking good once again.
“Everybody’s on the mend—it’s awesome,” says Hayden. “The kids cranked it out.”
The Montrose Relays provide teams a way to wind down the regular season and prepare for the post season in an informal setting.
“It’s a fun workout opportunity, where the kids can click off some miles and focus on their pace,” says Hayden.
Junior Erin Kelly and senior Nicholas Harper-Johnston teamed up for the coed competition and took third place, with Harper-Johnston shaking off the remnants of the flu bug to average five minutes 39 seconds per mile, and Kelly close behind posting an average split of five minutes, 45 seconds.
Freshman Amber Scott and junior Jena D’Aquila joined forces to post the top girls team result for the Titans, taking 10th place overall.
Hayden and the Titans are now focused on the regional race in Aspen with four boys and five girls competing and the entire team on hand to help support.
The girls team won regionals last year but lost a couple of runners to graduation and are coming in as a bit of a dark horse.
“We’re going in as underdogs, which is right where we want to be,” says Hayden.
As for the boys’ team, Hayden has no idea what to expect, with one member making his return to action following a long hiatus from competition.
“I have no idea how we’ll look as a team—we’ll see how that goes,” says Hayden.
Harper-Johnston should lead the charge though, provided he shakes the flu for good.
“Nicholas is still on the mend, but he’s definitely ready to rev it up again,” says Hayden. “It will be fun to watch him crank it out.”
The course is on the Aspen Golf Course, with the boys’ race starting at 9 a.m. and the girls kicking off at 10:30 a.m.
