Fort Collins’ Christian Groendyk finishes perfect running season in style by psaundersdp copreps
COLORADO SPRINGS — Fort Collins High senior Christian Groendyk leaves for Thailand on Sunday, where he will compete for the United States in the under-20 mountain running race at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships.
“I came here to win. In fact, my entire season was about winning here today,” he said after finishing the tough 5-kilometer course at the Norris Penrose Event Center in 15 minutes, 13.5 seconds. That was nearly a minute faster than his time a year ago when he finished ninth. “Short of being an NCAA champion, nothing is going to surpass the feeling of winning here today,” said Groendky, who finished his senior season unbeaten in high school competition.The Classical Academy boys won both the 3A team title as well as the individual gold medal for the second year in a row.
“It was a battle. But hearing the cheers — it’s exactly how I played it out in my head,” Wilburn said. “Logan is an incredible competitor; I have gotten beat by that guy a number of times. It was a blast to race against him today.”The Lake County girls won back-to-back team titles in 2A, edging out Heritage Christian Academy.