Titans cross-country team opens race season in Alamosa

“It was encouraging and we learned a lot”

By Than Acuff 

It was quite the season opener for the Crested Butte Titans cross-country team when they headed to Alamosa for the Joe I. Vigil Invitational on Saturday, September 6. The meet is always a big one but this year it an entire new level with 1A-5A schools from throughout Colorado there as well as teams from New Mexico and Texas. All told, 370 girls lined up for their race and 403 runners toed the line for the boys. One hundred more in each race than last year.

“There were so many runners there, it made for an exciting start,” says coach Shari Sullivan-Marshall. “What is nice is there is always someone to race with.”

It was the first race for Crested Butte after a lengthy preseason and training block. One that allowed coaches to manage athletes based on their fitness level. “Training went well,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “We were able to meet everybody where they were and build them to be ready to race.”

It turns out the plan paid off as numerous Titan runners posted faster times than their race on the same course last year and the boys were the top team among their 2A peers.

The girls opened the day with nine Titans lined up and freshman Dari Spedden made a statement in her first high school race leading the charge for the Titans.

“She ran a really fast race and ran really well,” says Sullivan-Marshall.

Ali Johnson was the next Titan to cross, running a minute faster than last year, while Sophia Bender also shaved some time to be the third scoring Titan and Eva Loflin got through some bumps in the first half mile to generate team points as well.

“They all ran really well,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “Our third through sixth place runners were all within a minute of each other which is great.”

Nine Titans then lined up for the boys’ race with a little drama thrown in the mix. While emails prior to the event said one time for the boys start, race officials bumped it up five minutes unbeknownst to a lot of the teams. 

“They called the racers up and Max Sullivan was still tying his shoes, so he ran the entire race with his shoe untied,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “Luckily it didn’t fall off.”

It didn’t seem to slow him down though. While Cody Pleak led Crested Butte setting a course personal record time, Sullivan was the next Titan across the finish line. Flint Hoyt came through next and Jayden Beyer showed he is on a comeback. After a tough freshmen season dealing with injuries, he’s back and healthy and took two minutes off his time last year to be the fourth Titan to finish helping the Titans to their top result amongst their 2A peers.

“The job for everyone was to remember what a 5k feels like and for the freshmen to see what a 5k feels like and they all ran super well,” says Sullivan-Marshall. “It was encouraging and we learned a lot.”

The Crested Butte team heads to a new race in Newcastle on Friday, September 12 with a smaller field of athletes in both the girls’ and boys’ races.

“I’m excited to see them race with a little more space,” says Sullivan-Marshall.