RANGELY | The Rangely harriers faced a completely different course this weekend compared to last. While last weekend’s race was held on a golf course, this weekend’s competition took place at Loudy Simpson Park. The course challenged runners with mowed fields, natural trails, hills, and soccer fields. Although times were slower, it provided great competition and an opportunity to work on hill running. Moffat hosted six middle school teams and 10 high school teams.
The middle school girls were the first to race, tackling a longer course than usual at 2.25 miles instead of the typical 1.8 miles. Rangely had four girls competing. Seventh grader Alyxis Boran placed 10th, earning a t-shirt with her time of 16:45. Sixth grader Danielle Thayne ran her second meet of the year, finishing with a time of 20:13. Eighth grader Kylee Caldwell and seventh grader Hailey Armstrong ran together for most of the race, with Caldwell out-kicking Armstrong at the end. Caldwell finished in 21:40, while Armstrong followed closely at 21:46. On the boys’ side, Rangely had two eighth-grade runners, Alec Gillard and Tex Bird. Gillard finished with a strong time of 16:13, while Bird came in shortly after at 16:44.
Next up were the high school girls. Out of 70 competitors, Taya Wren took off quickly and led the pack, ultimately finishing in first place with a time of 19:43 and earning herself a t-shirt. Freshman Faith Prieto continues to improve, finishing 41st with a time of 25:42. Sophomore Courtney Casto was a few places behind Prieto, finishing with a time of 27:17. Freshman Addison Thayn completed the course in 28:19, securing 58th place.
The high school boys team fielded a full squad of six runners: James Talbot, Joseph Valdez, Kellen Lefevre, Tavan Morgan, Kyler Fouts, and Gage Nielsen. With 80 runners and seven full teams, Rangely’s boys took fifth place overall. Talbot was the first Rangely runner to cross the finish line, placing 5th with a time of 17:32, earning him a T-shirt. Valdez followed in 17th place with a time of 19:23, and Lefevre finished 20th with a time of 19:40. Morgan placed 43rd with a time of 21:28, while Fouts came in 45th with a time of 21:45. Nielsen rounded out the team with a time of 26:41.
Coach Scoggins commented, “This is a good course, but it’s not a fast one. The runners have to work hard to achieve good times. When we come to races like this, I’m more focused on how they compete rather than their times.”
The Rangely Harriers will compete next at the Chris Severy Invitational in Aspen on Oct. 5, 2024.
