Cody Speece cracks top-50 at state cross country

Nearly finishing in the top quarter of all 157 runners? It was a heck of an accomplishment for Bayfield’s only state qualifier.

He was all smiles on Wednesday evening as he was named the team’s runner of the year, as well. Senior Bridget Goddard received the award for the BHS girls.

At the state meet Saturday at the Norris-Penrose Event Center, Speece placed 40th with a time of 17:48.10, just one place ahead of Cortez’s Josh Ramos, who had a time of 17:49.40.

To qualify for state, Speece ran an impressive 12th-place 16:55.18 at the 3A-Region I Championships on Oct. 21 in Delta.

At the team’s end-of-season banquet on Wednesday in the school cafeteria, Amber Johnson and Sloan Mazur received the coaches’ choice awards. Senior Jackson Sibley received the “Fighting Heart” award.

Named as top freshmen runners were Claire Huffnagel and Ignacio’s Elco Garcia. Garcia’s personal record this year of 17:38 made him the fifth-fastest 3A freshman in the state, Coach Josh Walton proudly stated.

All of this year’s seniors were honored as well. In addition to Goddard, Speece, Sibley and Johnson, six more seniors finished their last cross country season this year: Bryan Gram, Gus Roberts, Skyla Ruybal, Isis Gonzales, Jade Sanders and Rachel Cooper.

“I’m expecting great things for track!” Walton said, noting that many of this year’s cross-country runners run the 400 meters in track, either individually or in relays.

Walton was assisted this year by Melissa Kaufmann and Mike Scalet.

2016 CHSAA STATE CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS, 3A BOYS’ TEAM STANDINGS: 1. Alamosa 77, 2. Colorado Springs The Classical Academy 111, 3. Gunnison 163, 4. Denver D’Evelyn 176, 5. Highlands Ranch SkyView Academy 223, 6. Greeley Frontier Academy 229, 7. Salida 232, 8. Arvada Faith Christian 252, 9. Craig Moffat County 260, 10. Estes Park 271, 11. Broomfield Holy Family 285, 12. Pagosa Springs 298, 13. Elizabeth 309, 14. Broomfield Jefferson Academy 321, 15. Lafayette Peak to Peak 346, 16. Lamar 362, 17. Greeley University 367, 18. Granby Middle Park 392, 19. Loveland Resurrection Christian 395, 20. Conifer 451.

Sports correspondent Joel Priest contributed to this report.