With more than 2,000 spectators, 561 riders and 56 high schools on hand in Eagle for the 2015 Colorado State Championships in mountain biking, the Durango High School team stood out among the rest to capture the title.
Both Durango and Animas High School participated in the championship Oct. 25 as part of the Durango DEVO program. The Colorado High School League split for the first time since its conception in 2010 into North and South conferences that consisted of four cross country races in which Durango and Animas competed in every other weekend in the fall. Animas won Division 1, and Durango won Division 2.
“The course this weekend was in sweet condition,” Durango DEVO coach Ashley Carruth said in a news release. “The trail was fast and firm with a lot of fun terrain features.”
In their last race as a high school riders, Durango seniors Bryce Gordon finished 17th and Will Berger finished 31st. Animas junior rider Keiran Eagen finished 16th, and senior Keenan Desplanques finished 36th.
“There were a lot of tears of joy for reasons beyond just cycling performances,” said Durango DEVO coach Sarah Tescher. “Sometimes the race is just an outcome, but it’s the journey with its ups and downs that determines a team’s strengths. This is no small feat.”
Before the final rider crossed the finish line, Durango was sitting in first place with Animas in fourth.
“Despite the increased competition, our Durango riders rode with confidence and great sportsmanship,” Carruth said.
In her last race as a high school rider, Animas senior Ellen Campbell was the top rider with an eighth-place finish. Teammate Camryn Sippy finished just behind Campbell in 13th place. Durango rider Katja Freeburn had problems with her pedals and finished seventh, and teammate Ava Hachmann claimed 15th.
“This was the last high school race for seniors Ellen, Keenan, Bryce, Will, Domi and Ava,” Tescher said. “It was bitter sweet watching them race knowing this was their last high school race. This crew of seniors are our team captains and who lead the squads. It is hard emotionally to graduate seniors from the program, but it also such a proud moment.”
The day started out chilly with frost on the ground. Animas freshmen riders John White and Andy Munroe finished 15th and 43rd, respectively, among 129 freshmen riders. The junior varsity boys’ field was filled with 130 riders on the start line. Durango riders Quin Simmons and Lukas Robbins finished third and ninth, respectively. The finishes by Simmons and Robbins pushed Durango to first place overall with only half of the races completed. Durango’s Andrew Middelton finished 47th, Tye Sandoval finished 69th and Jimmy Pope finished 74th.
Animas junior varsity riders struggled with crashes at the start. Senior Domi Frideger finished 29th for Animas with George McQuinn finishing 41st, Coleman Bader 77th and Perrin Kileen 87th.
Joining both Durango and Animas for the race was DEVO graduate, elite national champion and current Specialized athlete Howard Grotts, who also served on staff this season to give expert advice.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
