Saturday, October 29th. The Colorado State Cross Country Championships at Arapaho County Fairgrounds, Aurora CO. It's a cool morning, and instead of warming quickly to the temperature forecast of 62 degrees, it stays cool. Fortunately there's only a slight breeze. The course is muddy, cold and rough. In between the dirty areas are areas which have prairie grass growing on them. In clumps. This is a great course to turn an ankle, twist a knee or fall and slide into oblivion. The Bulldogs Boys Team will race on this course today. Depending on the source, the Bulldogs are ranked 2nd, 3rd or 4th going into today's Championships. But they have something different on their minds.........#1.
On Friday, October 28th, the Bulldogs get ready to leave University High to start towards their goal of a State Championship in Cross Country.
The last Bulldogs Boys team to win State was in 1960. These 'Dogs want to update history! They've worked their tails off to get ready for this opportunity. Now it's finally come.
After the drive to Aurora, the Bulldogs check into their hotel, stash their bags and go to a local park for a short run.
The 'Dogs dine out in style - everyone dressed to the nines. Time to load up on pasta, pasta, pasta for tomorrow's big day!
The 'Dogs get to the Arapaho County Fairgrounds, unload all the luggage and set up camp. On the way in, it appeared that there was no snow on the ground. Once we get there, it's a little different. It's cool, but not much breeze. It could still turn out to be good running weather.
They boys have finished their warmup runs, jogged the course and settled in to get ready for the race. It's time to put their running bibs on,
change to their race shoes and take care of all the little details that mean so much!
Lots of Bulldogs supporters, teammates, family members, friends and Bulldog alum show up to watch the boys run. Everyone nervously waits for the boys to finish their preparations and jog over to the race.
After finding their starting block, the boys do a few run-outs to continue their warmups. They have a little surprise for all of their competitors. In a few minutes they'll let 'em all in on the secret.
We're down to the last seconds before the start of the race. A quick team meeting, brief prayer and the it'll be time to start.
Here we are!! The Bulldogs drop the sweats and show off their new uni's. White tops with college-style navy shorts. The 'Dogs are pumped up!
Their competitors are looking for the team in the navy tops and shorts, with the boys wearing white headbands to stand out. Now it'll be a little tougher to keep track of these guys.
140 of the top cross country runners in the Colorado 3A ranks prepare to battle. The field is set.
The gun is up........
The boys get off to a great team start. Garrett Coles leads the way, right next to the eventual winner of the race from Faith Christian, Evan Fortney. The boys have to stay in a tight pack to win, so this solid start is important.
Garrett bides his time, hanging out just behind the leaders. Here Garrett works up a hill about 1.5 miles into the race.
Dan & Garret push their way up the hill behind their teammate. We're in solid shape for a run at the championship.
Alex comes up the hill a short distance behind his teammates.
Kelton and Jordan push up the hill right behind Alex. These two seniors are battling hard in their final race for the 'Dogs.
Garrett sprints the final 50 meters to the finish line. He can't catch any more runners in front of him, but there's no chance anyone behind him will catch Garrett either! Garrett finishes with his second straight top ten finish at State - 6th place this year.
Garret Roberts races to the final line. Garret closes out 4 more runners in the last 20 meters!
Dan gives everything he has left in the final 100 meters. He pushes in front of one last handful of runners on his way in.
Jordan Perkins finishes his final cross country race for University High in triumph. JP has his best day of the season to finish as the #4 finisher for the team on this day. His sprint in the final 100 meters solidifies the team's position for the final team results.
Alex Breen guts out his final cross country race for the Bulldogs. This is Alex's 4th trip to the Colorado State Championships during his high school career. Great job, Alex!
Senior Kelton Lightfoot busts his lungs for every ounce of oxygen on the way to his last finish for the Bulldogs Cross Country team. Kelton has worked hard for 4 years for his team. Kelton's dad is in great position to get some super shots of his last high school 5k.
UH Bulldogs - 2nd in State!
The team watches others get their awards, medals and trophies knowing that their trophy is coming soon.
The 2011 Colorado 3A State Championship runners-up, the University High Boys Team.
The guys bring a great trophy home. Coach Sharon Eberhard and Asst Coach Kelly Christensen proudly stand with their team.
