Gus McIntyre is one of a few runners with big-time potential this fall.
[The Dark Horse is a series I'll be running over the next two weeks. While we know the big name favorites, this series will take a look a little deeper into each class, shining a big spotlight on some of the names who have been lurking in the shadows in previous years, and could likely rise to the ranks of Colorado's elite this fall.]
We know of the names Cole Sprout, Connor Ohlson, and Parker Wolfe, as they've each stepped into the light over the past year, shedding any questions we may have had about their potential. But looking a little further, or deeper, into the boy's 5A competition, we see a few names and teams that have dropped hints of what they're capable of.
The following is a subjective look at a few individuals and teams that I'll currently dub Dark Horses, at least in terms of pre-season.
Editor's Note: The following outlook is based entirely on stats from the 2018 cross country season, and the 2019 outdoor track season. It's likely there are other Dark Horses out there that will rise this fall. Unfortunately my powers do not include the ability to foresee what happens on that quiet trails over the summer.
Gus McIntyre
Gus McIntyre finished sixth at the 2018 State Cross Country Championships in 16:11, which was just six seconds off his Colorado-best of 16:05. Running that fast on one of the tougher courses in Colorado says one thing: he's got some serious strength.
He cracked 16:30 six out of seven times last year, capping his season with a 15:55 PR at Nike Cross Regionals. The PR, however, doesn't exactly shed too much of a light on the sort of potential the Palmer senior has.
He's the No. 5 returner from the 2018 state meet, which includes perhaps the most stacked field in recent history.
McIntyre put together a solid track season with personal bests of 4:26 in the 1,600 and 9:29 in the 3,200. He finished 15th in the 1,600 at State, and fifth in the 3,200, shedding light on his talents in the longer distances.
Will Daley
Will Daley saved his best for very last in 2018. The Denver East senior put together a solid 2018 season, though it's what happened after that really shed light on his potential.
After finishing 12th at the State championships in 16:27, he went on to really make a run for Nike Cross Nationals - barely missing out on the Big - BIG - dance, finishing 18th in a huge PR of 15:17.
Daley rode that momentum on into the track season, where he ran impressive PRs of 4:17 in the 1,600 to finish fourth at the state championships. Additionally he finished sixth in the 800 at State just off his PR, which was a 1:55.79, and he's got a 9:35 3,200 PR to his name.
Clearly, Daley's got some speed.
Jacob White
I'd first like to point out that Jacob White owns an 800 PR that wouldn't win the girl's state title. Next I'd like to point out that his 1,600 and 3,200 were nearly the fastest times among his class in the state.
A year ago White had a breakthrough performance on the most perfect of days: State.
The Dakota Ridge junior (then sophomore) finished 10th at the Big Dance in 16:20. Just over three weeks later he cracked 16 for the first time, by a massive margin. His 15:23 PR helped send Dakota Ridge to the Big - BIG - show (Nike Cross Nationals), where he went on to finish 56th.
In the spring he found new gears, running 4:23 in the 1,600, and 9:38 in the 3,200.
Based on his PRs, I'd read the White is a lot like McIntyre - strong.
Next Page: Three Dark Horse Teams