It seems little can be done to hold back Molly Palmer.
The Coronado junior surprised a talented field to win the Class 5A state girls cross country championship last season, becoming the school’s first titlist in the sport. And she did it while splitting time as a standout on the club soccer team.
Just another day in the busy and enjoyable life of Palmer. She is the favorite to repeat as champion when the new season kicks off today. Regional qualifying will be completed by Oct. 22, and the state meet for the three classifications is Oct. 29 at the Vineyard Golf Club/El Pomar Youth Sports Complex in Colorado Springs.
“When Molly competes, nobody can beat her. You better not have a down day against her,” Coronado coach Doug Hugill said. “She will push me, and I run pretty well myself. Some days you have to make her slow down.”
Palmer, whose title-winning time a year ago was 17 minutes, 39.3 seconds, is not even certain if cross country is her sport of choice. She is the captain of her Colorado Rush Pikes Peak soccer club team this fall, and she runs track in the spring.
She remains undecided if she will double up again and play for the Cougars’ soccer team, but she is looking at joining the swim team to get her competitive and social fix in the winter.
For now Palmer has a state cross country title to defend, and it does not seem like the pressure is getting to her.
“I won’t be disappointed if I don’t win state, though it is my goal,” she said.
Hugill offers a different perspective.
“She does not want to be behind anybody. She is an unbelievable competitor, and she will go as hard as she can, even if it kills her,” Hugill said.
One of her best friends agrees. “She is intense. It’s not easy to do two sports in one season, but she makes everything fun and she makes everyone have fun,” said Rachel Gardner, a junior at Palmer High School in Colorado Springs who plays on the club soccer team with Palmer. “She impresses me.”
As for the 5A team competition, Palmer gives Coronado a chance at a top-five finish. But three-time defending champion Smoky Hill remains powerful, and Cherry Creek, Boulder, Fairview, Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain also are talented.
At the 4A level, Battle Mountain senior Erika Ghent (fourth last season) and Mountain View’s Ashlyn Rhule, a junior (sixth last season), and Brianne Beemer, a sophomore (seventh), are the top returners. Mountain View is favored to win a third consecutive team title.
In 3A, junior Kristen McGlynn of Platte Canyon heads a class of returning seniors that finished third through 14th last season, all under 20 minutes. The Classical Academy, winner of the past two team titles, should be deep and talented again.
