Downs Kicks Late, Allori Wins Battle: St. Vrain 4A/5A Recap

A solid effort was put out at the St. Vrain Invitational on the boys side, as some of the top runners in Colorado this season are really starting to show out, especially on a tough course like this one.

This race was for sure the most "crowded" one of the day, as the leading pack was together for almost the entire race. It seemed as though no one really wanted to take that leading pace amongst themselves and split away from the pack. 

When Tyler Downs of Mount Vista High decided to push the pace a little bit, he moved up and clinched the overall win in 15:38.60 - but he's nowhere near done yet. 

This was actually his first 5k of the season, as well as his first win of the season. The Mount Vista senior hopes to lead his team to another state title before he graduates, and from the looks of it, he's on the right path - being that Mount Vista took the team title today with 86 points.

A season opener like this for Downs is extremely impressive - we can expect lots more from him as we get further into the 2022 season. 

Let's not forget about runner-up Evan Kraus of Erie High, who finished with a time of 15:41.80.

Just last weekend, Krus ran a huge personal best of 14:58.00 at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational. This was a huge race for him, just going to show that he has a lot left to prove this season. He is currently ranked fourth in Colorado.

Porter Middaugh of Battle Mountain High took third in 15:44.80, not too far behind Kraus. Almost right behind him in fourth was Benjamin Anderson in 15:45.50, tying with Logan Gullett who also finished in 15:45.50, taking fifth. Closely behind him was Will Burner in 15:47.90, taking sixth.

Like I said...definitely a "crowded" race to say the least. 

The next pack of runners consisted of Chandler Wilburn (7th), Corbin Hobert (8th), Nolan Hoffman (9th), and Rocco Culpepper (10th). 

Culpepper  - another name you might recognize - clinched the 10th position in a huge PR of 16:05.10, taking over a minute off of his previous PR. He's the younger brother of Cruz Culpepper, and son of the pro-duo of Alan and Shayne Culpepper.

Niwot took second in the team race with 91 points, while Fairview finished third with 113.

Lots to look forward to from these boys and more in the next few weeks of Colorado XC!