The Southwest Colorado Cross Country Challenge gives the Bayfield High School and Durango High School cross country teams something they don’t get a whole lot of: a home meet.
For the second consecutive year, the Demons and the Wolverines will co-host the regional meet that former BHS head coach Pat Vaughn and current DHS head coach David McMillan founded.
Last year’s event was hosted by the Demons around Lion’s Den on the Fort Lewis College campus. This year’s event will be hosted by the Wolverines at Saul’s Creek, east of Bayfield.
BHS first-year head coach Joshua Walton expects 15 teams to attend, with 13 of them bringing high school varsity runners.
As of Friday morning, 485 total cross country runners had registered.
“It’ll be a pretty big meet. The kids are excited to show their skills to the local area and get to compete against some of their local competition,” he said.
Bayfield watched state-ranked DHS run at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede in Colorado Springs.
According to coloradomilesplit.com, the DHS boys are ranked No. 1 in Class 4A, while the girls are ranked fourth.
“We know that doesn’t mean a whole lot right now,” McMillan said.
“But, it does give us some confidence and puts us in a position to be competitive as the season extends.”
Recent rains have made much of the course wet, but only part of it will be slippery, Walton said.
The course begins on a gravel road for the first 2,000 meters before moving into a forest section with two trails runners can choose from.
“That will pose some obstacles for all of the teams because its actually got some muddy spots and some slick spots that will pose some challenges to the teams,” Walton said.
Then it narrows into a single trail where runners tend to bunch up and have difficulty passing each other.
Eventually the course exits the forest and heads downhill to the finish line.
“The last 400 meters opens up for kids to basically sprint in,” Walton said.
The Wolverines enter Saturday’s race healthy, “nicks, bruises and a little soreness” notwithstanding, which Walton said contributed to a good week of practice.
“They’re excited to compete,” he said. “It’s the one home meet that they get.”
kgrabowski@durangoherald.com
Southwest Colorado Cross Country Challenge
Start Times
Saturday at Saul’s Creek
Middle School Girls, 9 a.m.
Middle School Boys, 9:30 a.m.
Junior Varsity Girls, 10 a.m.
Junior Varsity Boys, 10:30 a.m.
Varsity Girls, 11 a.m.
Varsity Boys, 11:30 a.m.
Durango Herald
