
It wasn't cross country--at least not in the typical sense--this time around, but Ethan Pence claimed a state title. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Return of the Snowshoe was my original article title, but
the race course looked a lot more like the frozen snow planet of Hoth seen in
Empire Strikes Back versus the Forest Moon of Endor in Return of the Jedi.
The race was fast this year. Justin
Weinmeister of Windsor in 2013 ran a blistering 24:23 on a snowshoe course in
Frisco that had more grass than snow that year. The course that year was frozen
solid, wind beaten, and dry as a bone. This year's race was very different than
the one where Weinmeister set the fastest time in Colorado High School Snowshoe
State Championship history. This course featured a groomed track that had more
corduroy than a Lollapalooza concert in 1997. This race course is much more
varied in climbing than the old Summit High course though. There are more ups
and downs than the one up and the one down of the old course. The Leadville
course is also 1000 feet higher in elevation. I would call the races even in
with all variables considered.
Ethan Pence from Vail Christian put
his mark in snowshoe racing history. He cruised to a new Colorado High School state
record with a time of 24:16. He was
followed almost a minute later by Smoky Hill's Jemil Kassahun. Jemil said at the finish, "I wanted to just
stop and walk, but I could feel Cheyenne Mountain coming for me." He was right:
James Jones was hot on his tail, and finished 30 seconds later in 26:07. The
best part of the finish for the boys: they all mingled with each other at the
finish line, smiling, exchanging stories of the crazy hills, and cheering
everyone home. Their energy was contagious!
James's place was just the start
for CMHS. He was followed in by his teammates in places 4-9 winning the state
title for the boy's team for the fifth time in six championship races.
CMHS's girls were determined to
bring a title home for the first time in championship history. With the help of
the overall victory by state snowshoe veteran, senior Madison Lambros, CMHS won
by 14 points over cross town rivals Coronado. Newcomer Soleil Gaylord, a
sophomore from Telluride, made the long trek up to the race to finish less than
one minute behind Lambros. It will be great to see Gaylord and Colorado
Academy's Lauren Fossel fill in the shoes for graduating senior Lambros. Fossel
placed third behind Gaylord. It gives a certain snowshoe race director goose bumps
thinking about the excitement they will bring to the race for the next few
years.
Madison Lambros is not the only
senior graduating this year from the snowshoe ranks. Summit's McKenna Ramsay
made a bold January statement with times that were electrifying in the newly
formed sprinting events. The former state and national champion in the snowshoe
5K won or helped win all four events she ran: the 800, 200, 400, and 1600-meter
medley. Her 800 stood out the most. Her time of 2:40 in snowshoes is quite
impressive. It was also impressive to watch her start the medley relay for the
combined Summit and Cheyenne Mountain all girls team. She was in first place
overall for her 200 leaving everyone, including the boys, in the dust!
It was a great race this year. I am
looking forward to next year's edition already. I really hope to grow the
sprints, and continue the legacy of the 5K. Thanks to all the brave racers.
Spread the word about snowshoe racing and good luck in track this year!
Complete Results

It wasn't cross country--at least not in the typical sense--this time around, but Ethan Pence claimed a state title. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Return of the Snowshoe was my original article title, but
the race course looked a lot more like the frozen snow planet of Hoth seen in
Empire Strikes Back versus the Forest Moon of Endor in Return of the Jedi.