Colorado Springs – Somebody may want to check the water in Bailey.
Just five months after Platte Canyon captured its first girls state track title, Huskies junior Kristen McGlynn gave the school its first individual cross country champion since Rene Frazee in 1983.
McGlynn cruised home in a time of 18 minutes, 31.5 seconds, one minute better than second-place Emily Hanenburg of The Classical Academy. Denver Christian’s Lisa Baity rounded out the top three.
“I am very surprised,” Mc- Glynn said. “I thought (Hanenburg) would be with me at least until the last 800 (meters) to go and it would be a battle to the finish.”
The day wasn’t a total loss for Hanenburg – she and her Titans teammates won their third consecutive team title. Freshman Kassie Mazzocco finished 14th and Brooke Jeffcoat was 17th. TCA finished with 79 points, followed by Brush (126) and Bishop Machebeuf (140).
“I’m not disappointed at all. The girls ran their hearts out,” said TCA coach Alan Versaw, who has coached four state-title teams, including the boys last season. “It’s absolutely a joy to watch. A lot of team unity and willingness to work hard and a willingness to take some chances on the course.”
McGlynn didn’t take any unexpected chances. Along with Hanenburg, the two ran the first mile in 5:40 together, and Mc- Glynn said she heard Hanenburg’s footsteps for the next three-quarters of a mile before turning it up another notch.
McGlynn, who is considered one of the best finishers in the state, extended her lead after the 2-mile mark and still had gas in the tank after the finish.
“After you hit the 2 mile, it’s just guts from then on, and I felt good and finished well,” she said.
Said Hanenburg, a senior: “She was just the stronger runner today. I have a habit of starting fast, and when I learn to tame that a little, I’ll be excited to race her again.”
CLASS 3A GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
At El Pomar Youth Sports Complex
Team scores – The Classical Academy 79, Brush 126, Bishop Machebeuf 140, Basalt 156, Rock Canyon 176, Pagosa Springs 183, Roosevelt 195, Gunnison 199, Bayfield 220, Platte Canyon 225, Lake County 244, Eaton 267, Hotchkiss 269, Aspen 270, Jefferson Academy 274, C.S. Christian 287, Faith Christian 298, St. Mary’s Academy 302, Kent Denver 306, Florence 352, Buena Vista 389, University 399, Fountain Valley 399, Lyons 411.
Individuals – Kristen McGlynn, Platte Canyon, 18 minutes, 31.5 seconds; Emily Hanenburg, The Classical Academy, 19:31.0; Lisa Baity, Denver Christian, 19:45.0; Lydia Van Vleet, Faith Christian, 19:54.5; Kirsten Milberg, Rock Canyon, 19:55.8; Jessica Laue, Bayfield, 20:00.2; Jamie Christensen, Brush, 20:08.6; Emma Coburn, Crested Butte, 20:19.1; Madeleine Cronan, Bishop Machebeuf, 20:19.4; Emilie Schur, Pagosa Springs, 20:20.9; Lindsay Dick, Bishop Machebeuf, 20:26.4; Christy Severy, Aspen, 20:28.0; Becky Costigan, St. Mary’s Academy, 20:29.9; Kassie Mazzocco, The Classical Academy, 20:30.5; Becca Huffman, C.S. Christian, 20:31.0; Elena Miller, Centauri, 20:37.7; Brooke Jeffcoat, The Classical Academy, 20:46.5; Mera McGrew, Fountain Valley, 20:46.9; Mayra Herrera, Roosevelt, 20:47.1; Kate Wilson, Basalt, 20:48.5.
