Cross-country regionals in Delta test Titan runners

Aiden Truettner and Sam Crossett headed to state race

Titan hopes were met and dashed at the 2A cross-country regional race in Delta, Colo. on Saturday, October 18. Heading into regionals, the hope was that Aiden Truettner and Sam Crossett would both qualify for the state championships. Both did. In addition, the hope was that the girls’ team would qualify as well. They did not.
With the physical training and preparations in place, head coach Austin Ross and the coaching staff spent some of the time prior to the regional race on the mental aspect.
“The team worked on narrowing our focus and bringing up the level of professionalism,” says Ross. “We definitely brought up the level of focus and I think it paid off.”
While Ross describes the team’s results at regionals as a “mixed bag,” he points out that there were several highlights of the day.
“For the boys, everyone ran really well and everyone had a personal best,” says Ross. “The girls ran well also—it just didn’t turn out the way we hoped.”
While the top boys’ runner in the region is untouchable, Aiden Truettner did put his best foot forward all five kilometers to place third with a new personal record time of 16 minutes and 25 seconds.
“I think he had his sights set on running faster and he was running like he wanted to win,” says Ross. “Second place was within reach but he just couldn’t pull it off in the end.”
Conrad Truettner had his sights set on posting his first sub-19-minute time and hit his goal, running a time of 18 minutes and 51 seconds to place 23rd. Benjamin Swift finished in 28th with a time of 19:11 and Vincent Michel set a huge personal record with a time of 19:26 at regionals.
“That was really exciting to see him have a breakout race at the end of the season,” says Ross. “I’m really excited to see what he does over the next couple of years.”
Joe Hayes and Matthew Harper-Johnston closed out the Titan boys race, placing 50th and 57th, respectively, as the team finished the day sixth overall.
Sam Crossett has been the picture of consistency all season long and was on pace to qualify for state but found herself in a battle for the final 15th spot on race day. Crossett dug deep to make it though and squeaked into the final qualifying spot to make her second trip to the state championships.
“I don’t think she had her best day,” says Ross. “She had to grit her teeth and hang on but she’s tough as nails.”
Tara Mortell finished the day in 18th place, Sierra D’Aquila placed 20th and Caitlin De Compiegne finished in 25th. In the end, the girls team finished fifth, two spots away from a state bid.
“Qualifying for state as a team was definitely our goal but the girls made a lot of progress and should be proud,” says Ross.
That leaves Crossett and Truettner to represent the Titans at the state championship race on Saturday, October 25 in Colorado Springs. Truettner is currently ranked fourth in the state and Ross believes he has a shot at a great state showing.
“For him the goal is to make it on the podium,” says Ross. “It’s a tough course but I think Aiden will do well.”
Crossett returns to the state race for the second time, and Ross is looking for her to improve upon last year.
“For her it’s just about doing better than last year,” says Ross. “It’ll depend on whether she can run her best or not. Hopefully she can.”