Posted: Sep 25, 2023
McElroy sets unofficial course record in Leadville, CO
This past weekend the Men's and Women's Cross Country teams ran in the forest near Leadville, CO. The meet was held at the Cooper Mountain Ski Resort, the historic home and training site of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division prior to World War II. With an elevation of 10,538 feet, the course passed Colorado Mountain College's unofficial world record as the highest collegiate cross-country meet in the world.
Larissa McElroy won the 5K women's dual meet with Colorado Mountain College, with a time of 24.38. She also set the unofficial course record for the fastest time at the highest collegiate cross-country meet in the world, according to CMC Head Coach Darren Brungardt. The Women's Team earned first place in the dual meet with Colorado Mountain College, with Larissa's first-place finish, KayKay Sandall's very close 2nd place and Monroe Swain's close 4th place finish.
The Men's race included teams from Colorado Mountain and Dine' College. Participating in his first collegiate meet, Tayden Bell placed 2nd overall in the 8K race with a time of 33.40. The rest of the men finished within two minutes of each other; Kieran McCorley placed 9th, Azaniah Guthrie placed 10th and Quinten Gasaway placed 11th, out of 14 runners.
Larissa McElroy stated, "I am proud of the girls and me for winning the women's division. The race was a challenge but fun especially running through the ditch with water and trying not to slip! I'm happy that our team got the opportunity to run at the highest-elevated cross-country race ever! Proud of the team for finishing strong!"
After the race, Tayden Bell said, "I hope it's ok that I want to say something funny after THAT race. I'm just happy nobody got lost or kidnapped...."
The cross country teams will compete in the Yellowjackets/Battlin' Bears Open Invitational in Billings, MT on October 6th.