Colorado Springs – For all we know, Kaitie Vanatta might still be running.
The Ralston Valley freshman seemed hardly fatigued by the 3.1-mile jog around the El Pomar Youth Sports Complex after she crossed the finish line Saturday en route to the Class 4A girls individual title.
“This is a big surprise,” said Vanatta, whose time of 18 minutes, 20.3 seconds was 54 seconds ahead of Pueblo Centennial freshman Lauren Dorsey-Spitz. “It’s just an overwhelming feeling of happiness.”
The surprises kept coming when the team race was tabulated and Battle Mountain was crowned champion. The Huskies, from Vail, got top 10 finishes from seniors Jennifer Boules (3) and Erika Ghent (8) to pull off the upset. Thompson Valley finished second, ahead of favored Loveland crosstown rival Mountain View.
“We thought we had a chance going in, but we thought it would be between Mountain View and Mullen,” Battle Mountain coach Rob Parish said. “But this is the first year we came down to the Front Range to run and get a look at the state’s elite.
“We do well up in the mountains, but it’s a whole different story when you get down here.”
As for Vanatta, whose father, Mike, ran at Wasson in the 1970s and brother, Kurtis, finished sixth on Saturday, she was not at all held back by running with the favorite’s label.
She was in control after the first mile and just extended her lead from there.
“It’s a lot of pressure (being the favorite); you just have to rise above it,” she said. “It’s a lot of mental and physical strength that you have to use to run well.”
Dorsey-Spitz, all 4-foot-11 and 75 pounds of her, finished 17 seconds ahead of Boules. It was the freshman’s first look at what she is up against the next three seasons, and she was impressed.
“I was just doing my best to stay in front of the girls that were behind me,” said Dorsey-Spitz, who was suffering from a case of tonsillitis. “I am going to have to train all the time, starting next week, and keep that up until next season.”
CLASS 4A GIRLS
CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team scores – Battle Mountain 117, Thompson Valley 148, Mountain View 167, Greeley Central 168, Mullen 233, Cheyenne Mountain 235, Broomfield 245, Sand Creek 257, Pueblo Centennial 298, D’Evelyn 302, Evergreen 313, Pine Creek 405, Glenwood Springs 437, Moffat County 444, Summit 497, Niwot 501, Ralston Valley 524, Woodland Park 525, Sierra 537, Harrison 593, Pueblo West 601.
Individuals – Kaitie Vanatta, Ralston Valley, 18 minutes, 20.3 seconds; Lauren Dorsey-Spitz, Pueblo Centennial, 19:14.2; Jennifer Boules, Battle Mountain, 19:31.5; Tianna Hurtado, Thompson Valley, 19:33.9; Anna Lieb, Golden, 19:40.2; Kendra Gerk, Greeley West, 20:00.7; Brianne Beemer, Mountain View, 20:02.8; Erika Ghent, Battle Mountain, 20:05.6; Natalie Mesce, Cheyenne Mountain, 20:06.9; Erin Brunko, D’Evelyn, 20:07.1; Casi Reckard, Greeley Central, 20:11.7; Casey Powell, Cheyenne Mountain, 20:15.5; Kacey Wilson, Mullen, 20:16.3; Brandie Kavalec, Mountain View, 20:18.8; Chanae Nordhoff, Greeley Central, 20:19.1; Katrina Selsor, Glenwood Springs, 20:19.8; Amy Kress, Liberty, 20:29.3; Hannah Pensack-Rinehart, Thompson Valley, 20:34.5; Kelly King, Silver Creek, 20:37.7; Sofia Monroe, Pueblo Centennial, 20:38.2.
