5:58 - 5:59 - 6:00...
Isabella Prosceno ran at a steady cadence along the dirt path. Her light brown eyes cast down at the ground where her spikes would soon be while her brown curls, which were held back by a bright band that was debatably orange, or pink, or both, danced behind her, swaying with her rhythm.
She had nearly 10 meters on her chasers, which included Legacy's Abby Jones, and Palmer Ridge teammate Maren Busath. With one mile down, and two to go in the first race of the season, Prosceno was stating her intentions early. The 2017 state runner-up was here to run her race.
While she ran on without any noticeable challengers early in the race at the Broomfield County Commons Friday afternoon, the sun beamed down from above, and it had no cloudy challengers either. The course, while mostly flat with a few gentle rolls, was exposed to this bright orange challenger from above, and it would take its victims on this hot, hot day.
Isabella Prosceno (center) led Palmer Ridge to a decisive team victory.
Behind Prosceno, Palmer Ridge was dominating the early stages of the race. The Bears were 1-3-4-5 at the mile, and not much would change in the latter stages.
Jones surged to run with the Palmer Ridge sophomore through the second mile, but the race was in Prosceno's hands.
"I paced off (Abby Jones) for quite a long time," Prosceno explained. "But then I decided I needed to go."
Prosceno used the late surge to take her first win of the season in 19:36. Behind her Jones took the runner-up spot in 19:46. Busath held on for third place in 20:19.
"I didn't run as fast as I wanted to," Prosceno admitted. "But it's the first race of the season, so it's ok."
Palmer Ridge, who were the 2017 state runner-ups, cleaned up in the team race, tallying 22 points. The Bears went 1-3-5-6-7. Legacy - who competed without standout Brynn Siles, finished second with 50 points.
Next Page: Hippe and Palmer Ridge make it a sweep