Strong efforts for San Juan cross country in Grand Junction

by Jessica Walker
Contributing Writer
The 5K course at Connected Lakes State Park in Grand Junction, CO features gorgeous scenery and flat terrain. The speedy course combined with perfect weather made this past Saturday, September 7 perfect for exemplary performances at the Tiger Invitational and the Bronco harriers did not disappoint.
There is a very specific format to most successful cross country teams. That format involves not just one or two talented runners but several talented runners who can train, race, and finish near each other.
In that regard, the San Juan boys team’s performance was particularly impressive. The top four varsity runners finished within a mere 15 seconds of each other.
Abe Lyman led the group in eighth place overall with a time of 17:14. Rosendo Martine was next across the line in ninth with a time of 17:21.
Platte Lyman topped his previous career best by double digits, earning tenth place with a time of 17:26. And Austin Pincock finished just three seconds behind Platte in 17:29 to earn 12th.
The remaining members of the varsity team, all underclassmen, also put on great performances. Just one second apart in 24th and 25th were Keegan McCullough and Jack Kartchner in 18:21 and 18:22, career bests for both runners.
Jeraden Hurst finished next in 31st with a time of 19:23. He was followed by Oren Bradford in 34th in 19:29.
The boys got a little revenge on Grand Junction Central, who beat them for the Loyds Lake Classic championship on August 30. This time, on the Warriors’ home course, the Broncos beat Central by nine points, earning a second-place team finish behind 4A Grand Junction High.
Sincere Nez kicked off the impressive finishes for the girls as she charged to an eighth-place overall result in 20:46. Nez’s time marked a new personal best, beating her previous record set in the 2023 state meet.
Close behind Nez was Brittany Jensen, who placed 12th with a time of 21:08. Jensen was followed by Brinley Jones who finished in 35th with a time of 25:02.
Coming in next in quick succession were Harmony Oshley, Sierra Black, and Rose Kartchner in 36th, 37th, and 38th places. Their times of 25:45, 25:58, and 26:02 were season-best times for Oshley and Black and a career personal record for Kartchner.
Braylyn Eddie, a newcomer to the team, rounded out the girls varsity runners placing 41st with a time of 27:08. The Lady Broncos edged out Moffat County by one point to earn a fourth-place team finish.
With no race scheduled this week, the team will have a brief opportunity to recover before returning to a busy schedule the following week.
They’re next in action in Duchesne on Wednesday, September 18, then they’ll compete in the Boggy Draw Bear Chase on Saturday, September 21.