Cooper Wiens headlines a Gunnison junior class that threatens to dominate this region for the next two years. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
You can look at this region a lot of different ways, but it's difficult to escape the conclusion that Gunnison should be the preseason favorite of the Western Slope 3A teams.
Gunnison was a very young team with a lot of promise two years ago. It looks like the time to cash in on that promise has arrived. The top five returners from last fall are all juniors this fall--Cooper Wiens, Will Powell, DeAndre Adamich, Caleb Mueller, Brandon Huisman-Nevin. All five are now deep in varsity experience. Track results from this spring indicate that sophomore Brandon Melby might be helping out on the scoring some this fall as well. Regardless, Gunnison owns a rare commodity in the 3A ranks--depth. Starting the season with four sub-18s is kind of a big deal in 3A cross country.
Bayfield is dangerous, first and foremost, on acco...