Hillsboro High School cross country team hikes Pike s Peak
By MICHELLE BOSWORTH
Staff writer
"It has always been a dream of mine," said Hillsboro High School cross country coach Stuart Holmes, concerning his recent trip. He saw basketball, tennis, wrestling, and other camps offered to athletes during summer months, and he wanted to offer a camp for his athletes, also.
So last fall, Holmes began sharing this dream with students and their parents. By the first of the year, he and his wife, Carolyn were joined by four other adult sponsors as they prepared to guide 24 active teens through cross country training in the mountains of Colorado.
"We had terrific sponsors," said Stuart. "They were a big key to making it a success."
Tom Leihy was referred to by the teens as the "fishing guy" and Dean Magnuson was the "mountain man." Carolyn kept the group rolling with her "great sense of humor" while Stuart was considered the "great encourager." Keith and Cheryl Jost rounded out the group of sponsors. Keith acted as van driver and video-man, and Cheryl participated as camp cook.
Keith and Cheryl's son, Alex, a cross country team member, also joined in on the trip.
Holmes contacted his mother, who owns a cabin between Rye and San Isabel, Colo., in the San Isabel National Forest. She graciously offered to let the group stay there July 25-30.
"Randy and Carolyn Brazil loaned us their 15-passenger van for the trip," said Holmes.
The support of those who helped the group meet their goal was encouraging. As a result, cross country team members enjoyed a great learning experience at an affordable cost of $96 per person.
With some "creative budgeting," Cheryl said she was able to offer "wholesome food and a lot of it."
Learning there was a trout stream located on the property where they were staying, Tom told Cheryl, "You bring the stuff for a fish fry and I will supply the fish." Between him and the other guys, they pulled in enough fish for the group of 30 to enjoy a fabulous meal.
At an altitude of 9,000 feet, mornings often were a crisp 44 degrees. Every day, 18 boys and six girls piled into a van and were driven down to Colorado City where the elevation was only 5,500 feet. There, at the city park, they ran and participated in training sessions.
Over the years, Holmes had assembled a 20-page booklet of the best training articles concerning nutrition, warm-ups, cool downs, etc. He used this tool for his athletes to study and implement during their time in Colorado.
When the training sessions had concluded for the day, the group was free to experience hiking to mountain meadows and abandoned gold mines, rock climbing, and some sightseeing. They also visited the Garden of the Gods and the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.
Ultimately at the end of the weeklong training, the group experienced the challenge of Pike's Peak.
The trail stretched 12.6 miles up to the summit at 14,111 feet. The day dawned cool and sunny, with few clouds and a hint of snow.
Tom, Dean, and Stuart hiked with the team members while Cheryl, Keith, and Carolyn drove to meet the group at the top of the mountain.
After seven hours of uphill hiking, the group reached the summit and posed for a picture. By the time they left, snow flurries filled the air.
"I think we'll be a stronger team because of the time we spent in the mountains together," related Stuart. "They developed positive team chemistry, and they really do work at their running."
"They are a very talented team," says Cheryl. "From fastest to slowest, they really help each other out. They are a delightful group of kids."
Those attending the camp included Jacque Fisher, Carrie Schroeder, Greta and Lance Kliewer, Elissa Richert, Megan McCarty, Alysha Claassen, Daniel Bookless, Rick Johnson, Clint Schneider, Robert Jost, Victor Rogers, Zach Magnuson, Sean and Isaac Leihy, Nate and Thad Holmes, Alex Jost, Tyrel Blecha, Cody and Brandon McMillen, David Ratzloff, Johnathan Christian, and J. Michael Heibert.
"We had a great bunch of kids and sponsors. That made it a really awesome trip," said Stuart, who knows how much fun dreams can be when they become reality.
Holmes encourages anyone interested in competing this year to attend the first practice at 6:15 a.m. Aug. 15 in front of Hillsboro High School.
