These Colorado boys can run.
That point was made with panache Saturday as four Colorado prep runners placed in the top 10 at the Foot Locker Midwest Regional Championships in Kenosha, Wis.
Kevin Williams, a senior from D’Evelyn, led the charge with a sixth-place finish on a course at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside that Jaguars coach Micah Porter described as “cold, windy and pretty miserable.”
Williams, who led at the 1-mile mark, finished in 15 minutes, 17 seconds.
Joseph Manilafasha from North placed seventh in 15.17.5, Bobby Nicolls of Regis was ninth with a time of 15:19 and Evan Appel of Dakota Ridge was 10th with a time of 15:21. Each of those runners qualified for the national race.
“I feel like I ran solid, but it feels like I have some unfinished business,” said Williams, who easily won the Class 4A individual state championship in October with a time of 15:43.
Michael Fout of LaPorte, Ind., finished first overall in 14:56.
As a team, the Colorado boys runners dominated, with a low score of 45 points. Indiana’s group was second with 70.
“I think that goes to show that we have some good runners out here,” Porter said.
Adding to the haul were three more area prep boys who placed in the top 20.
Thornton’s Dey Tuach was 13th overall with a time of 15:24, Cherry Creek’s Charles White was 15th with a time of 15:28 and Falcon’s Wes Rickman was 17th with a time of 15:29.
“That’s pretty cool,” Porter said. “It’s my fourth trip, and Colorado hasn’t done that good in a long time, team- wise.”
The area girls who ran struggled, Porter said. Sand Creek’s Jennifer Bremser was the highest placer as she finished 28th with a time of 18:42. Alexa Rogers from Dakota Ridge was 31st with a time of 18:44.
