Something Old, Something New
For those who were around for last year's race (which is a good portion of this year's field). No reminders are necessary. Pine Creek won the team battle. TCA won the individual battle. The cast of characters was different at the top this year, but the same basic story line played itself out over 5000 meters.
Last year it was Katie Flaherty pulling away from Lucy Hart in the second half of the race. This year it was Sawyer Wilson pulling away from Lauren Boutelle in the second half of the race. Different names, same singlets, nearly identical stories.
Wilson's 19:13 time ended up breaking Flaherty's course record.
It was a debut high school race for Wilson and the second high school race of record for Boutelle. The two began by gradually dropping the field, then spending the next half mile or so deciphering the other. Eventually, Wilson sensed Boutelle slowing on an extended climb and made her move.
Last week, Boutelle broke up the Cherokee Trail pack at the front of the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede. This week, she ran a tough second to Wilson. Eventually, maybe, the season cuts Boutelle some slack. She's definitely talented enough to win a race here and there.
Just like last year, though, there were too many Pine Creek singlets up front to be overcome. Boutelle was followed in the top 10 by Madelyn Blazo and Kayla Anderson, and the Eagles were not seriously threatened for the team title. Makala Jaramillo and Brooke Coleman closed the book on Pine Creek's scoring, all five under 21:30.
TCA, however, did score a solid second, followed by Rampart, a nice showing by Vanguard (look for this time to be in strong contention for a 3A state title berth in October), and Pueblo West. 2A Lyons took seventh in a field of mostly larger schools.
Lyons got a nice lift from a 19:50 fourth-place finish from Quin Gregg (wasn't that long ago that Boulder County had another highly-accomplished Quinn). Ultimately, however, the Lions couldn't quite keep pace with the depth of the top teams at the meet while scoring five runners. Scoring three, however, they would have likely moved up one place.
Next Page: Boys Race: Rampart wins the battle, Pine Creek wins the war