A rotation of leaders (and one to finish the job)
There was no clear, lasting leader of the start of the race, but it wouldn't be long before the field of candidates had whittled itself down. There would be Micah Zeller of Custer Country, Scott Prieve of Palmer, and Noel Lopez of Rocky Ford.
In the second half of the race, Prieve took over the lead and seemed to have things well in hand. Prieve's cadence dropped Zeller from title contention and Lopez seemed content to see what would happen next.
Maybe Lopez was content because he was fairly sure he could control what would happen next. Lopez waited until the last half mile to make his move.
Like Stutzman in the girls race, Lopez left no doubt once he did make his move. Prieve, who just seconds earlier had appeared to be in complete control, watched the Rocky Ford senior go by and had nothing to offer by way of response.
Lopez had merely toyed with the field until his time arrived.
Rocky Ford would finish fourth in the team scoring. That's not first, of course, but it was a very nice showing by a 2A team. Rocky Ford has no problem at all going to larger-school meets and scoring five runners. And that makes them a 2A team of concern.
The team battle would go to Prieve and his Palmer teammates. Even running without Gus McIntyre, who was off on a recruiting trip, Palmer easily buried the competition. Wesley Wright was fourth. Cisco Alvarez was fifth. Tucker Larsen was eighth. Brandon Bayer was 19th, and the rout was on.
Only Mesa Ridge was within shouting distance of Palmer, but their 75 points were more than double the 34-point total put up by the Terrors. Still, Mesa Ridge gave every indication of having their deepest team in years. Edward Moreno led the Grizzly charge in seventh.