Cramps crushed Bayfield High School senior Trevor Gabbard’s chance at a state cross country title.
Gabbard, the Wolverines’ senior, finished 41st Saturday in Colorado Springs, completing the 3.1-mile course at the Norris Penrose Event Center in 18 minutes, 41.6 seconds.
“I started to cramp, and the cramp caused me to shorten my breath. It all went downhill from there,” said Gabbard, son of Joe and Kelly Gabbard. “It (stinks). I was going for big No. 1 and was 40 places off. It happens, so might as well put it in the past.”
Gabbard’s chest started to cramp when he was going up a hill roughly one and a quarter miles into the race.
“He’s had a couple races where this happened, and I don’t know what is causing these cramps in his chest, but for some reason, his chest tightens up, and it’s hard for him,” BHS head coach Josh Walton said. “He finishes the races, but he doesn’t run them in the time he wants to.”
Ben Butler of Skyview Academy won the CHSAA Class 3A Boys Cross Country State Championship individual title in 16:18, and Alamosa took the team title.
Gabbard’s cross country season isn’t over, though.
He will run at the Nike Cross Regionals on Nov. 22 in Casa Grande, Arizona, in an attempt for nationals.
“I’m using it as motivation,” Gabbard said.
heraldsports@ durangoherald.com
