XC set for regionals with an altitude

It is cross country’s turn to run into the 2018 postseason.

Mullen will join the fray on Thursday, Oct. 18, at Homestake Peak School in Avon. The Mustangs will compete in Class 4A Region 1.

The top four teams and 15 individuals will advance to the state meet on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Without a lot of depth, the Mustangs realize they will need their best efforts to qualify. Individually, their best bets are juniors Will Locascio and Hallie McIntire.

“We’re looking to place Will in the top four,” Mustangs head coach Joe Welling said. “IT’s going to be a very deep and fast field at this race and we will have to have a few big races from other kids in our top five on both the boys; and girls’ sides to have a shot at qualifying an entire team.”

However, with the time of the race in relation to the Mustangs’ recent schedule, “our kids well-rested and excited to see what they can do on a new course,” Welling said.

The top five boys for the Mustangs at the Centennial League Championships were: Locascio, also an accomplished triathlete whose goal this season is to break 16 minutes; Nick Espinola; Owen McCarter; Jack Tolbert; and Aidan Schwarz.

For Mustangs girls, it was McIntire, who has been working to go sub-20:00; Madison Wainscoat; Alicia Muller; Morgan Atwell; and Anika Rosengarten.

The boys will race first, at 2 p.m. The girls will go off at 2:45 p.m., with awards at 3:45 p.m.

Results can be found at:  https://co.milesplit.com/meets/324942/info#.W7-JVHtKiUk