http://bouldernews.com/bdc/hs_cross_country/article/0,1713,BDC_2441_1472738,00.html
BHS' Rojas, Castro are top local finishers By Michael Sandrock, For the Camera October 11, 2002 Most of the runners in Thursday's Centennial League cross country championships had never run up "Jawbone Hill" on the Buffalo Ranch course in south Boulder. They had, however, been warned by their coaches about the short, steep hill on the back side of the course that the runners climbed about three-quarters of a mile into the 5K race. And that meant a conservative start by the leaders in both the boys' and girls' races. "That is a huge hill," said surprise girls' winner Katelyn Kaltenbach, a sophomore from Smoky Hill who clocked 19:02.1. It was a surprise because Kaltenbach's sister, Megan, was the heavy favorite to win, as she is the three-time defending state champion. But Megan Kaltenbach has been sick with bronchitis and after running in the lead fell back to fifth place. "When Megan is healthy I would have no chance against her," said Katelyn Kaltenbach. The two sisters ran in the lead in the early going, together with Boulder freshman Nell Rojas and Emily Castro of Cherry Creek. By two miles, the Kaltenbachs were alone in front, and with about three-quarters of a mile to go, Katelyn took the lead while her sister faltered. Rojas, who was battling the flu, placed seventh (20:12.0). She was the top local finisher and led the Panthers to fourth place, with Fairview taking sixth. Katie Hoffman in 20th was the first Fairview runner in. "Our girls were farther back than we thought they would be," said Fairview head coach Joanne Ernst. "They are a little tired and will rest for (next Friday's) regionals." In the boys' race, Greg Castro of Boulder battled defending state champion Brent Vaughn of Smoky through a first mile of 5 minutes, 12 seconds. As the runners ran beneath Jawbone Hill along a slight downhill, the Smoky Hill coach yelled out, "Drill him!" That Vaughn did, putting in a surge that showed why he is one of the best runners in the nation, finishing in 15:55.2. Castro hung with Vaughn as long as he could, eventually finishing third in 16:46.5. The top Fairview runners were Dan Mahle (10th, 17:23.2) and Alex Kelley (11th, 17:24.7). Boulder was third in the team race, with 84 points, followed by Fairview in fourth (109). Cherry Creek won the race with 47 points. "Greg ran a great race," said Vaughn, who has narrowed his choice of colleges to Colorado, Stanford, Wisconsin and Washington. "He is a good runner. I wanted to start conservative today because of the hill. We rested this week and I had a lot of snap in my legs." The Boulder schools will rest next week in order to prepare for the Metro South regional state qualifying meet Friday at Viele Lake next to Fairview. It includes all the Centennial League schools that raced Thursday, as well as powerhouse Denver West and other schools from the Denver Public League. If Boulder and Fairview do not place among the top four teams, their season will likely be over (there is a chance five schools will qualify from this regional). "This is the toughest regional in the state, bar none, " Ernst said. Ernst said her top three boys — Mahle, Kelley and Gabe Small — all ran well. However, top runner Tim Zeckser did not compete Thursday, because of "personal problems," Ernst said. She did not know whether Zeckser would suit up for regionals. Area coaches liked having the meet at the Buffalo Ranch, on land owned by the University of Colorado. "We had very good response to it," said Boulder head coach Monique Guidry. "Runners and coaches were excited about having it here, and we are all thankful to CU for allowing us to do so." Centennial League Meet BOYS Teams — 1. Cherry Creek, 47; 2. Smoky Hill, 52; 3. Boulder, 84; 4. Fairview, 109; 5. Eaglecrest, 109; 6. Mullen, 141; 7. Grandview, 186; 8. Overland, 207. Top 10 — Brent Vaughn, Smoky Hill, 15:55.2; 2. Nate Clute, Cherry Creek, 16:43.6; 3. Greg Castro, Boulder, 16:46.5; 4. Steve Curtis, Eaglecrest, 16:50.9; 5. Luke Crespin, Mullen, 17:03.7; 6. Kyle Lohman, Cherry Creek, 17:04; 7. Brian Welch, Cherry Creek, 17:04; 8. Joshua Oberleas, Smoky Hill, 17:17.4; 9. Kyle Baker, Smoky Hill, 17:22.4. 10. Dan Mahle, Fairview, 17:23.5. Other Local Finishers — 11. Alex Kelley, Fairview, 17:24.6; 14. Gabe Small, Fairview, 17:33.6; 15. Jess Rojas, Boulder, 17:35.6; 21. Miguel Ramirez, Boulder, 17:47.8; 22. Ryan Lawrence, Boulder, 17:48.7; 23. Peter Stetina, Boulder, 17:53.8; 29. David Foster, Boulder, 18.07.2; 30. Torin Priem, Fairview, 18:08.2; 33. John Gullinger, Fairview, 18:14.6; 39. Will Mitchell, Fairview, 18:35.2; 44. Anders Mavis, Boulder, 18:59.2; 45. Matt Mahowald, Fairview, 19:00.6. GIRLS Teams — 1. Smoky Hill, 27; 2. Cherry Creek, 45; 3. Eaglecrest, 110; 4. Boulder, 117; 5. Mullen, 126; 6. Fairview, 126; 7. Overland, 194. Top 10 — 1. Katelyn Kaltenbach, Smoky Hill, 19:02.1; 2. April Thomas, Eaglecrest, 19:24.85; 3. Morgan Schultz, Smoky Hill, 19:30.4; 4. Emily Castro, Cherry Creek, 19:40.3; 5. Megan Kaltenbach, Smoky Hill, 19:47.2; 6. Kristin Arnold, Cherry Creek, 20:10.5; 7. Nell Rojas, Boulder, 20:12.0; 8. Leah Avila, Smoky Hill, 20:13.8; 9. Merdith Groves, Cherry Creek, 20:18.3; 10. Erin Stratton, Smoky Hill, 20:24.3. Other Local Finishers — 20. Katie Huffman, Fairview, 21:10.0; 21. Morgan Stumb, Fairview, 21:13.02; 24. Angelina Cabrera, Boulder, 21:36.9; 26. Kelly Hight, Fairview, 21:45.6; 27. Michelle Faurot, Boulder, 21:53.2; 28. Emily Lawrence, Boulder, 21:54.0; 29. Whitney Rice, Fairview, 21:57.0; 30. Henna MacInnis, Fairview, 21:57.7; 31. Gwen Golaszewski, Boulder, 21:58.9; 34. Katie Melhado, Fairview, 22:26.2; 37. Gianina Rice, Fairview, 22:42.2; Heather Perry, Boulder, 23:54.9; 49. Tyson Mady, Boulder, 24:30.7 -ends- =========== "Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." 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