The Durango High School cross-country teams return much talent from 2022, but they also have some newcomers who are ready to challenge for spots on the teams’ varsity rosters.
The DHS girls finished third at the Class 4A state championships last year, while the boys placed seventh in coach Ron Keller’s return.
Most of those runners are back this fall, and they’re joined by some talented youngsters. The team, which has 10 girls and 14 boys, also looks to add depth.
“It’s going well,” Keller said. “But we’d like to get a few more boys and girls.”
The team officially started practicing Monday, working out of Miller Middle School to start its season. It will do a four-day high altitude training camp next week near Cascade Village, with training runs starting at 8,900 feet above sea level and ascending from there.
“Everybody is excited about the altitude training camp,” Keller said. “It’s great for bonding and they just have a great time out there.”
The Durango girls’ key returners include Sofia Voss, Dewa Ilg, Myra Quayle, Brynn Aggeler, Ayumi Lambert and Aileen McManus.
Voss and Aggeler, now juniors, placed 29th and 30th, respectively, at state last year, at 19 minutes, 58 seconds and 19:59, respectively.
The Durango boys’ key returners are Luke Swenk, Charlie Dillman, Brodie Dorko, AJ Bonanno, Miles Snow and Slader Schweitz.
Swenk (16:30) finished 21st at state last year in his first season running high school cross-country. Dillman suffered an injury during track season, but is now in a good place to compete again.
After the team’s altitude camp, Durango will begin its season Aug. 19 at the Boggy Draw Bear Chase in Dolores. The following week, DHS will head to Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, which is also the host site for state.
Other notable events include the Aztec Invitational on Aug. 31, as well as the Desert Twilight Invitational in Mesa, Arizona.
“We have a young team so how they develop will be key,” Keller said. “We have to stay injury free; that’s a huge goal of mine. We’re being patient the first part of the year to not get them hurt.”
Durango is not scheduled to host any meets this season.
Durango’s toughest competition this season will include teams like Niwot, Cheyenne Mountain, Battle Mountain and Coronado.
“What I’m seeing right now is we have great camaraderie and I think the kids are bonding better than I’ve seen in a long time,” Keller said. “It will be important to maintain that; it becomes a strength when we’re all together.”
