The CCHS Cross Country teams competed on their home turf at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park on Thursday.

BOYS VARSITY

4th Place as a team

Nathan Pontious - 14:55 - 1st place
Keenan Cooper - 18:37
Brett Gherna - 18:54
Victor McMichael - 19:10
Dillon Hall - 19:41
Oscar Hartman - 21:52
Zarien Hansen - 23:12

GIRLS VARSITY

1st Place as a team

Alexi Till - 18:39 - 1st place
Alissa Rall - 18:53 - 2nd place
Julia Nelson - 20:14 - 9th place
Sydney Baxter - 20:38 - 11th place
Macy Paschall - 20:41 - 12th place
Pauline Cox - 22:44
Zoe Kies - 24:11
Rebekah Koch - 28:50

Coach Marcy Epperson said her team had an amazing day on their home turf.

"The Royal Gorge Bridge course is tough at the beginning, but so rewarding at the end," she said. "Kids experience a challenging uphill battle the first half of the race, but turn around, coast downhill, and finish the last 400 meters across the highest suspension bridge in the nation."

The boys team did a great job with a fourth place finish, she said.

"I am so proud of their accomplishments," she said. "They continue to get stronger throughout the season. Nathan Pontious actually beat the first-place runner at the bridge. He was in second place most of the race, but found the stamina to pass the Lamar High School athlete at the end."

The girls team is realizing that not only are they performing well, but also performing at a point where a state qualification is becoming a possibility.

"These ladies are forming a bond that is allowing them to understand it's not so much about the individual runner and her accomplishments, but about what she can do as a whole for her teammates, Epperson said. "Their support for each other makes all the difference between a normal team and a championship team."

CCHS Cross Country's next meet occurs in Fairplay on Oct. 8.