If you ask me how I want to be remembered, it is as a winner...A winner is somebody who gave his best effort, who has tried the hardest they possibly can...who has utilized every ounce of energy and strength within them to accomplish something. It doesn't mean that they accomplished it or failed, it means they've given it their best. That's a winner.
--WALTER PAYTON
In the fall of 2008 two small, unassuming freshmen embarked on a journey that would take them to unimaginable heights. Through miles and miles and race upon race they have left their mark on the Colorado cross country landscape. Saturday marked the zenith in high school cross country for these two stellar harriers.
Congratulations to seniors Kelley Robinson of Nederland and Ty Williams of Telluride for winning the Boulder Running Company’s final Athlete of the Week award for the 2011 cross country season.
At the Colorado State Cross Country championships both Kelley and Ty lined up for the fourth and last time to defend their 2A state titles from a year before. Unlike last year the conditions on the course presented no significant concerns. According to Kelley, “the ground was still pretty hard packed and not too muddy. There were muddy parts but it was fun! That’s what makes a true cross country course so I embraced it."
For Ty as well the conditions were good on race day, “The course conditions had no effect on my race strategy."
Racing like the veterans that they are, Kelley and Ty pushed the pace and their competitors to finish the course with times of 18:42 and 16:26, respectively. Both had broken away from all pursuers well before the second ascent of Powerline Climb. Kelley finished approximately 47 seconds ahead of second place finisher Rachel Hampton of Telluride and Ty won by a margin of 26 seconds over Ian Boucher of Crested Butte.
Ty’s time placed him ninth among all participants at state, while Kelley’s time ranked her third among the girls.
Kelley and Ty’s victories helped to pace the Nederland and Telluride teams to first and fourth place, respectively.
That team title marked four in a row for the Nederland Lady Panthers. For Kelley these victories have been her highlight in high school, “One of my greatest triumphs was definitely being part of the four cross country state championships my team has won. It has been amazing to be on such a successful team with other girls that want to reach their goals just as much as I have."
Ty’s greatest triumph in high school was his first cross country victory as a sophomore. As he so aptly states, “There’s nothing like the first one”!
With the cross country season over, Kelley and Ty both have specifics about the experience that they will miss. Kelley will miss her team and friendships that she has developed over the years. She will especially miss her training partner, “Rebecca Hermann and I have been running buddies since 9th grade, and to not have her there by my side is going to be so lonely. We know how to calm each other down before races and know how the other is feeling without having to ask."
Ty will miss his teammates and especially Coach Hampton.
Both Ty and Kelley have plans to run collegiately. Ty is keeping his options quiet at this point but has narrowed the field down to five. Kelley has her sights set on the Air Force or Naval Academies, the University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, or New Mexico. According to Kelley, “It’s such a hard decision, but I truly believe I can’t make a bad decision between my choices”.
Over the past four years, the Kelley Robinson and Ty Williams have become prominent features on the Colorado cross country landscape. They have been formidable competitors to all who have faced them. Something will be lost with their departures, but their legacy will be remembered. Ty Williams and Kelley Robinson will be remembered as winners.
Thanks for the memories.