Schwalm Runs Down Delaney Reuter For Girls Sweepstakes Individual Title, Delivering Heritage CO Monumental Team Victory Over Defending NXN Champions Mountain Vista CO; Benjamin Adams, Boulder CO Crowned Winners In Boys Sweepstakes
Story and photos by Keenan Gray
LITTLETON, Colo. – Delaney Reuter had the finish line and win within her sights.
The Eaton CO junior was on the verge of redeeming a second-place finish from last year’s girls sweepstakes race at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational on Saturday at Heritage High School.
Steps away from the finish line, and not aware of anyone around her, Reuter caught a glimpse of Emry Schwalm out of the corner of her eye the very last second and was overtaken by the Heritage CO senior.
Schwalm, trailing by as much as 20 meters in the last 200 meters, stormed her way back to win the sweepstakes girls title in 16 minutes, 43.20 seconds.
It was too close to call in the moment when both girls crossed the finish line. Results were going back and forth before ultimately crediting Schwalm the victory. Reuter finished two-tenths of behind in second.
“If you ever question leaning in a cross country race, just do it,” Schwalm said.
Notably a fast course at Liberty Bell, the hardest part of the entire race was the final 200 meters, making the uphill climb to the finish. Reuter, who led the entire race from the start, made the turn for home but began slowing down as she ascended the gradual slope.
“I just tried to play to my strengths,” Reuter said. “I feel like I’m a better runner from the front. I just went out strong, fast first mile, stay consistent the second mile and then kind of just push through.”
The advantage was there for Reuter at the end. However, the adrenaline from the home crowd fueled Schwalm to find one last gear to complete the comeback.
“I’m so grateful, it was crazy,” Schwalm said on the win. “I’m super thrilled.”
On top of winning the individual title, Schwalm’s lone point was one of 95 points Heritage scored, earning them the sweepstakes team title.
And the team they beat: Mountain Vista CO, the defending Nike Cross Nationals champions.
Heritage’s top five finished within the top 45 individually. Caroline Fender cracked the top 10 alongside Schwalm, running 17:20.90 for seventh. Scout Destefano finished 24th in 17:56.20, Lilly Brooks finished 35th in 18:10.60 and Lauryn Miller finished 42nd in 18:12.50.
Claire Guiberson, one of two returning members from Mountain…
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