Mesa Ridge Dumps The Home Team
Edward Moreno led a Mesa Ridge charge that was just enough to beat Fountain-Fort Carson.
For a long time, Widefield has been the dominant south Colorado Springs cross country program. Mesa Ridge is making a very strong case for that honor this year.
Today, the Grizzlies handed it to Fountain-Fort Carson on their home course. The Grizzlies started patiently and worked their way toward the front through the race.
Although Fountain-Fort Carson had a 3-5-6 (2-4-5 in team scoring) from Jo Anthony Riggs, Paul Thomas, and Mercer Kabel, Mesa Ridge broke up FFC's big three with Edward Moreno, then stole the win with a 7-8-9-15 showing from Aaron Roberds, Sam Hunsicker, Nathan Cournoyer, and Gage Bowers.
It was just enough to edge Fountain-Ft. Carson.
In fact, the front of the race was very nearly an FFC-Mesa Ridge dual. Save for Custer County's Micah Zeller, who won in 17:04, Adrian Sanchez of Harrison, who was second in 17:42, and TCA's Adam Ambuul, tenth in 18:44, the top ten places all belonged to the Trojans or the Grizzlies. The next ten places weren't a lot different.
Zeller separated early from the field and was never seriously challenged for first place. Zeller now becomes 2A's own special problem to try to figure out (save for a handful of 3A teams at the Eric Wolff Invitational--unless Zeller takes next weekend off from racing).
Mesa Ridge faces a league meet next week--weather permitting (and it is a question)--before traveling to Delta for their regional meet. Mesa Ridge has a serious shot to qualify a team for state. Durango and Cheyenne Mountain are probably givens to qualify out of 4A Region 5, but beyond this year's big two, things get very interesting where finishing the state field is concerned.
Next page: Fountain-Ft. Carson Defends Home Turf