Photo by Will Cornelius
Middle school boys race in the final race of the day.

By Kristi Leonard
The Surveyor

Runners of all ages from Berthoud came out to support the Berthoud High School (BHS) Spartan cross country team in their season opener and fundraiser last Saturday. Seventy-seven runners cruised through the two-mile fun run course around the high school, including 82-year-old Jeff Martin who finished in 27 minutes and one second. At the other end of the age bracket, three-year-old Quincy Jennings ran and walked the course with her dad, BHS cross country coach Jordan Jennings.

Jason Slauson, the father of BHS runner Sydney Slauson, finished first in the fun run race with a time of 12 minutes and 46 seconds. Behind him were BHS freshman Mauricio Hoffman-Schwartz in second (13:54) and Richard Michelson (14:21) placed third. Michal Seligson (16:05), mother of a Turner Middle School cross country runner, won the women’s division, followed by Cecilia Jameson (17:44) and Courtney Dunn (18:31).

Dunn is a BHS cross country alumni and Jameson has directed the race in the past. Dozens of local businesses sponsored the fun run with all proceeds from the race going directly to the Spartan cross country team.

After the public fun run portion of the event, it was time for the high school boys to race. BHS had a strong showing with Scott Clark (9:54) in second. Clark chased Matthew Edwards (9:38) of The Classical Academy (TCA) around Bein Park but lost some time when the course turned back onto the deep grass of the BHS practice field. “I’m happy with it,” Clark said about finishing in second. Edwards finished third in the state meet last year.

Senior Spartan Tate Bothun (10:04) was not feeling well before the race, but fought through, keeping Clark in sight. Bothun had to hold off a late-charging Guthrie Manzella from Thompson Valley High School (TVHS). During the effort, Bothun and Manzella caught and passed Kieran Cameron of TCA. “Third place is super good considering the competition. I’m not disappointed. There is a lot of room to improve,” Bothun reflected after the race. “I think we are going to have a pretty good year.” Aiden Malherbe (10:23) joined the conversation to add, “I think once Afton (Cooper) gets healthy, I think we can take state.” Malherbe finished in 12th place.

Several sophomores are training to see who will be in the fifth and final scoring spot for BHS. Ben Clopper (11:23), Eric Mellot (11:32) and Emmanuel Hernandez (11:57) train together and push each other to be faster. Junior Julian Rayon (11:48) is part of the group focused on keeping the injuries low, getting faster every day, and pushing one another to be their best. Mellot is pulling double-duty this fall, playing on the BHS soccer team as well. “Our goal is to get to state,” Clopper started. “Fourth place in state last year, we’re looking to get top three … ” Clopper started before Rayon broke in and said, “We’re looking to be top one!”

“I feel confident in our top four, we’ll see who the fifth is,” stated Rayon who added he would like to be one of the seven who race at state. “But, I’ve got to deal with these guys,” he said with a laugh, joking with Clopper and Mellot. “Everyone is fast,” added Rayon reflecting upon the positive team feel and support they give one another.

The Spartans placed third behind TCA and TVHS. The girls team placed fourth behind TCA, TVHS and Resurrection Christian High School (Res).

TCA’s Cassidy McDonald (12:09) led the girls race from start to finish, even though BHS senior Jaycee Williams (12:19) followed at a close distance. The girls race strung out early and was a line of runners passing through Bein Park and BHS fields on their way to the finish at Max Marr Stadium. The race started at 9:30 but it was already hot. Watching his teammate round the corner to the finish line, Eric Mellot commented,

“Oh! That’s a kick and a half!” referring to BHS junior Sydney Slauson (12:40) who turned on a powerful kick to beat out Delia Spadafora of TVHS. Around the one-and-a-half mile mark, Megan Malherbe (15:02) caught fellow Spartan Marie Cabrera (15:13). After encouraging her, Malherbe caught a few more runners to finish in 34th. Annika Bothun (15:54), Jordan Jones (15:58) and Lisa Loeser (17:59) raced in BHS maroon for the first time. Gabby Staley (17:45) is a sprinter who is building strength for a strong track season.

Coach Jennings was pleased with the performance of his athletes, “Overall, this was a good day. We had quality competition with TCA, TVHS and Res. We have things to work on and I have things to remember about preparing individual athletes but it was a good start.”

Middle school races followed as the temperatures continued to rise. Turner Middle School had five boys in the top 25 places. Ethan Novak in third (11:48), Elam Hymel placed ninth (12:52), Reid DeKruif was 18th (13:47), Jeremiah Tevis claimed 19th (13:49) and Rick O’Brien was 24th (14:16). Mountain Ridge Middle School won the boys team competition with TMS placing second.

Lydia Cabrera (14:11) led the TMS Lady Dragons finishing in seventh place for the girls middle school race. Autumn Cowgill was 28th (16:59), Lily Hepp grabbed 30th (17:05), Audrey Bernard was 35th (17:44) and Kate Trainor finished 40th (18:22). Bill Reed Middle School won the girls team title and the TMS girls placed sixth.