Stargate sophomore Allison Pippert dominated the Peak to Peak Invitational.
By Jesse Fassler
The 2021 Peak to Peak Inaugural Invitational saw two varsity races run exactly the same.
Battle Mountains sophomore Will Brunner didn't make it close for any runner on Saturday. When the race started, no one was near him. A flat paved first 800 meters might have helped him get out to such a good start, but the nine total switchbacks on the course had no small feet to maneuver. But that didn't slow him down.
Last year, Brunner ran his best race at the Colorado State Cross Country meet as a freshman with a time of 16:59, this was the second fastest freshman time for boys 4A. Brunner looks to be in top form this year to better that mark this October.
Finishing the race smooth and relaxed, Brunner completed the 5K course in a finishing time of 17:28.2. You may want to keep your eye on this 4A sophomore along with the rest of the Battle Mountain Huskies.
Battle Mountain and Peyton tallied 57 points in the team race, though Battle Mountain took the overall title with the tie-breaking sixth runner.
The next race up, girls varsity. Same course, same look. Returning to the cross country course was last year's fastest freshman girl in 3A, which if memory serves correct, didn't get a crack at the State meet due to Covid rules from the Regional meet.
In 2020, Allison Pippert from Stargate ran her fastest time of 19:06.7 at the 3A Region 3 meet in Broomfield, placing 3rd overall - only behind Peak to Peak senior Allison Beasley and DSST Montview juniorLeah Hill . Yet, because of Covid rules set forth, only the top two individuals from each Region that did not qualify a team were qualified for the State meet, leaving Pippert out of the mix for State Championships. Her time of 19:06.7 was the 10th fastest time posted in 3A last year.
On Saturday, Pippert ran with a purpose. When the race started there was no other runner within 200 meters of her and she kept the gap growing. The Stargate sophomore ran a finishing time of 19:20.3. That would have been good for 16th best in girls 3A last year - so you can expect Pippert to be in the hunt come October for a top finish in 3A.
Eowyn Dalbec took second in 20:38, just ahead of Eliana Caucutt, who ran 20:42.
In the team race Battle Mountain edged out Heritage Christian by two points - 66 to 68.