Cross-country ramps up for regionals

Titans looking for shot at state

Every year, the Crested Butte Titans cross-country team wraps up the regular season with the Montrose Relays. While costumes are encouraged and runners pair up to switch off running mile splits, three total per runner, the Montrose Relays can foster a more relaxed atmosphere than your average cross-country race. Still, they are by no means an excuse to slack. “It’s a really nice excuse to do a really hard workout with the kids,” says coach Austin Ross. “Because they’re doing mile repeats, they’re pushing harder each mile than they would in a race.”
Aiden and Conrad Truettner joined forces to post the top Titan result of the boys teams, placing fourth overall. Tara Mortell and Sam Crossett had the top girls team result, finishing in fourth as well.
Overall, Ross was happy with what he saw from his runners in Montrose but did have a little cause for concern.
“We’re looking for consistent times throughout the three miles and most of our kids were pretty consistent,” says Ross. “I think our slowest legs were the second leg and we definitely have to make sure we don’t have that midrace lull.”
As with all Titan fall sports, the October break comes at a tough time for the cross-country team as they prepare for the regional race. Ross gave the runners time off on Monday but brought them back together as a team on Tuesday to resume their training.
“We’re definitely getting into our peak now,” says Ross.
The regional race is in Delta on Saturday, October 18 and is the only path to qualify for the state race the following weekend. Ross believes that three Titans all have a shot at states as individuals with the top 15 from regionals qualifying.
“Aiden should be in,” says Ross. “Right now Sam is ranked 12th and Tara 14th so they don’t have a whole lot of breathing room. I have confidence in all three kids to get in.”
Furthermore, the Titans girls team has a shot. The top three teams from regionals move on as well and Crested Butte is in a three-way battle with Ouray and Paonia for that third spot.
“Ouray and Paonia each have a runner who will be out front but we’ve got depth,” explains Ross. “We need our runners to creep up just a little bit. It’s exciting.”