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!