2016 Cherry Creek Invitational: Kyle Moran Sends a Message

TOP MOMENTS OF THE MEET

Freshman sensation, senior stud, and the return of an all-time great.

Fort Collins 9th grader James Gregory got the Steve Lohman Cherry Creek Invitational off to a fine start winning the freshman/sophomore race in dominating fashion with an outstanding time of 17:24. The Lambkin coaches are insistent on bringing Gregory along slowly, though don't be surprised to see him running in their top 7 soon. For those of you wondering, Colorado Track XC has already done the calculating for you of what happens to the Fort Collins boys team score if we import Gregory's time into the varsity race.

Cherry Creek senior Kyle Moran took home the victor's hardware on his home course in equally dominant fashion with a blazing time of 15:58, forty seconds up on Cam Dimas of Fort Collins. Moran surged to a big lead early on and never was challenged. Dimas, however, did lead his boys to the team title over Cherry Creek. Evidently, we should be expecting big things from Moran this season based on that opener.

The much-anticipated healthy return of senior Lauren Gregory, the Fort Collins three-time defending state champion and All-American, didn't disappoint.  Gregory eased into the lead near the mile mark and built a substantial margin of victory over Aubrey Frentheway from Cheyenne (WY) Central, 18:33 - 19:07.  Gregory, who looked to be out for a tempo as she raced in trainers, likely was as excited for her younger brother's performance as she was for her own.

The surprise of the meet was the Regis girls claiming first place over the traditionally strong programs of Cherry Creek (state runner-up last fall) and Fort Collins. Regis, on the strength of relative unknown (and freshman) Isalina Colsman in fourth, rode a strong pack time to a low score of 76 points. Colsman tore up a few circuits on the summer road racing scene and apparently aims for more of the same on cross country courses this fall. 

Equally surprising Highlands Ranch was second with 107, and graduation-decimated Cherry Creek claimed third with 113.