Get your racing snowshoes on, it's time to battle it out for a state championship! Colorado Track XC file photo.
This Saturday will mark the fourth annual Colorado High School Snowshoe State Championship. In the race’s conception in 2010, no one would have thought that the snowshoers in Colorado’s high schools would have done what they have done on the national Stage. Starting in 2010, the girls’ national champion has been a Coloradan, and since 2011 the boys' champion has been a Coloradan.
Those of you that have followed the history of the race have seen some incredible racers the last three years. This year, as with every few in Colorado High School running, snowshoeing will have new state champions. Kyle Ames, Mitch Kasyon, and Sam Lewis have handed the baton on to new runners this season.
Not everyone will be new. When readers think about Colorado high school snowshoers, they think about one team: Cheyenne Mountain. The 4A powerhouse is the three time defending team champion, and their experience in the snow is something not to take lightly. Since the days of their flannel racing attire, to their unified look presently, no one at the race this Saturday will count them out.
CMHS will be out en masse and their desire for a four-peat will be something on their minds. However, a familiar friendly foe will be back this year to challenge them. If there is a rivalry in Colorado high school snowshoe racing, Cheyenne Mountain and Smoky Hill have it. The red and green team will stampede their way along the course, leaving racers in a cloud of dust (or snow powder). They were close two years ago, and this year will be no different. Traveling west on I-70 this Saturday, the thundering herd of Buffaloes will have their eyes on the prize: their first state snowshoe team title. Kyle Ames gave them a brief taste of it last year with his individual championship; watch out for them to sneak away with a win.
Both teams will have to keep their eyes open for a duo of Tiger teams. Lakewood High School will make their debut on snowshoes this season. They might be new to the sport, but their attitude is a perfect fit: have fun. When teams are having fun, especially in early February, the sky is the limit. The best thing about Lakewood on Saturday: they have no idea what to expect. A team with no expectations can be dangerous, and given the right combination of scoring, these Tigers could strut back down the hill to JeffCo with a big trophy.
Lakewood’s “jungle” Tigers are used to chasing prey in the jungle environment of the big city. The other Tigers are the home team. They are the snow Tigers. Summit will have their first full team since 2011. The past two weeks they have been watching me build the team trophy and assemble the individual awards. They watched as the stacks of goody bags reached the ceiling of my classroom. They listen to me tell them stories of past races and champions while we stomp the course. They want the title, badly. Who knows if they can battle the Cheyenne Mountain massive attack, or hold off the experience of Smoky Hill, but their desire is there, and they want it.
Individually, a member of the Windsor Wizards is making his way up the hill for his first race. Justin Weinmeister will challenge the experience of Summit’s Liam Meirow and Cheyenne Mountain’s Josh Fowler. Fowler was runner-up to Ames last year. Meirow and Weinmeister will race in their first state championship. It will be a reunion of sorts for all three boys. The last time all three of these boys were together was on the podium for the 4A XC All State. Expect the times these boys to put down, and the speed they throw down on the course, to melt snow. I cannot wait to watch these boys duke it out on Saturday and the rest of the field as well.
On the girls’ side, Mckenna Ramsay, Summit’s freshman girl, was runner-up to Sam Lewis in both the state and national titles last year. As an eighth grader at the time, McKenna looks to move up to that top spot this year. She will be challenged on Saturday by Cheyenne Mountain, Lakewood, Summit, and Smoky Hill girls. She could be the next Sam Lewis of snowshoeing, but she has to get that title first on Saturday.
It is not too late to register for this event. The course is packed down to a solid track. Post-race chili will warm you up afterwards. Awesome race shirts and goody bags are sure to please. The world famous door prize drawing will follow results. Come join the fun. Take a chance on something new and adventurous. You will not be disappointed. Please email me at dillondash1637@yahoo.com if you have any questions or visit runningguru.com for more details.