By: Corky Dean
Student athletes from Kent Denver School, Colorado Academy, and Lakewood High School joined forces under sponsorship from The Runner’s Roost for Nike XC Southwest Regionals in Arizona this past November. The race brings together the best high school teams from Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Nevada.
They trained, raced, and bonded as a team and loved coming together, especially because these students normally race against each other during their regular seasons. Magical things can happen, especially under the union of Kent Denver and Colorado Academy, who otherwise have an intense rivalry in everything including sports, academics, and social life.
Overall, the team had an amazing experience with one of the Roost runners finishing 7th overall (of nearly 450 runners) in the large school division.
Sam Schaffer finishing in 7th overall
The rest of the team posted times right near their all-time PR’s despite much warmer than normal conditions. For a few select teams, the event acts as a qualifier for Nike Nationals in Portland, Oregon. Even with the possibility of earning a berth to nationals on the line, the atmosphere at NXNSW is celebratory. Just like the sport of Cross Country, the meet is about the running community as a whole, not just individuals.
Excitement of race day!
According to senior Sam Schaffer, “the running spirit there is so pure and uplifting. It reminds us that running is about the process, not just the outcome. Being around thousands of other runners from around the country is super exciting too. We were really happy to be able to wear the Roost logo. Thank you, Runners Roost!”
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