Cross Country Preview: 2A Boys

Last year, Rocky Ford claimed the 3A title. This year, they take center stage as the favorites to claim another title in the new 2A classification. Led by senior Victor Montoya the Meloneers are talented, strong, and deep.

Here's what to watch for in the new classification:

Top returning athletes:

Victor Montoya, Rocky Ford – undoubtedly the top runner in the field by past performances, and should be looking to close out a brilliant high school career at the top

Steven Stoot, Fountain Valley – Stoot, at left, has always been competitive in 3A cross country, and should be right back at the top of the standings in 2A.

Jack Linehan, Crested Butte Community – wasn’t part of last year’s state XC meet, but had a stellar season in track at 800 and 1600 meters

Joel Villagomez, Center – If you don’t recognize this last name, you’re new to small-school cross country. Joel is latest contender in a line of brothers.

Gilbert Tucker, Wiggins – Wiggins always seems to have a contender or two and Tucker looks like the heir apparent to the mantle this year

Santino Apodaca, Rocky Ford - would be the front runner for his team at most 2A schools

 

Last year’s powerhouse teams:

Rocky Ford – took some hits to graduation, but should be fine under the new run 5/score 3 format for 2A. This was a team deep in talent last year. Titles are also deep in the tradition of Rocky Ford cross country, having won state championships in 1974, 1994, and 2007

Lyons – after a brief hiatus as a 2A school, Lyons returns to the 3A ranks this fall

 

Waiting in the wings:

Wiggins – After somewhat of a rebuilding year, the Tigers appear to be reloaded. The run 5/score 3 format should grease the skids for this team to be a title contender.

Crested Butte Community – The potential is there if the bodies come out for the program. Splitting time between soccer and cross country has proven to be a tough go for the Titans, however.

Ouray – returns the best nucleus from last year of the teams not already mentioned

Baca County – a dark horse among dark horses, but they put up a surprisingly good showing at the state track meet, don’t count them out

Fountain Valley – a definite benefactor of the 5/3 format--if they can find a supporting cast for Stoot, things could go very well for the Danes

Center – Although this team is a ways removed from the team that finished third in 3A in 2003, the Vikings nevertheless retain a small core of solid distance runners. The new format may help to rekindle the fire for this program

 

What to watch for:

With a predictably small field of teams at state (probably 12 to 15 teams) and the 5/3 format, any team with two solid runners has to be considered a contender. A mid-pack third runner won’t exact that big of a penalty this year. Due to the broad geographical distribution of 2A programs across the state, there won’t be many 2A-only meets before regionals. As such, some of the better state teams could be hiding until that time. It’s time for coaches who’ve labored long against larger 3A programs to see if they can light a fire under their teams and make a run at a 2A title.

 

Key questions to be answered:

Will Jack Linehan run cross country this fall?

Will the closure of Crested Butte Academy have any impact on the training of Crested Butte Community School’s distance runners?

Which teams will be able to build the confidence necessary to be successful at state while running meets against mainly larger schools?

Will the new classification for 2A be successful in inducing more small schools to take on a cross country program?