RANGELY | The Rangely cross-country team sent three athletes to the CHSAA State Championship race at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Sophomore Taya Wren, Kellen Lefevre, and senior James Talbot represented Rangely on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. The boys’ race started at 1 p.m., followed by the girls’ race at 2:20 p.m.
This was Lefevre’s first year running cross-country, so qualifying for state was an impressive achievement. He worked hard all season, setting goals—including making it to state, which he achieved. As he lined up for the race, Lefevre aimed to finish in the top half of the runners and have fun. He came close, finishing 97th out of 149 runners with a time of 19:21.
Talbot, making his fourth appearance at the state meet, hoped to place in the top 10. Despite battling injuries all season, he knew he had the heart to reach his goal but would need to race smartly. Talbot started with the front of the pack, staying with the top 15 and aiming to gain ground as the race progressed. With about 600 meters left and in 13th place, he dug deep to make a final push, finishing 10th with a time of 17:03.
“James ran a smart race,” Coach Scoggins said. “He knew he could pass several in that last mile. He raced with heart and determination. We’ll miss having him on the team next year. He’s a great leader and role model for the younger runners.”
After the boys raced, it was time for the lone female runner, Taya Wren, to compete. Wren’s goal was to finish in the top five, though she knew she’d need to run a smart race to do so, as she didn’t have the fastest qualifying time. Wren, Saskia Marlin from North Fork, and Mikaela Kendall from Heritage Christian quickly separated from the rest of the field. After the hill and two miles of the race, Wren and Kendall were locked in a battle for first place. Wren knew she’d have to pull ahead in the next half mile to win, so she lengthened her stride to get in front. At the water crossing, with about 600 meters left, Wren was in the lead and able to finish comfortably. She took first place with a time of 19:02, finishing 32 seconds ahead of the runner-up. Wren is Rangely’s first state champion in cross-country.
“Taya is a joy to coach,” Scoggins said. “She listens, works hard to get better, and never settles. She races with a lot of heart and determination.”
The cross-country team thanks the community for their support. The booster club provided recovery equipment and snacks, and first responders escorted the team out of town. Special thanks to Mike Gillard and Shawn Morgan for providing meals during the season and at state, and to the Castos for helping with camp and Arizona. We’re grateful to our families, who travel almost every weekend to cheer us on. We have the best parents and community—thank you!
Rangely’s Taya Wren (254) runs during the second mile of the 2024 CHSAA State Cross-Country Championships’ 2A Girls’ race Saturday afternoon, November 2, at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Wren would capture the individual title by clocking a time of 19:02.5–decidedly beating runner-up Saskia Marlin of Hotchkiss-based North Fork (visible at left) by 34.3 seconds. JOEL PRIEST/DURANGO HERALD PHOTO