Air Academy runner McLaughlin puts fear on the other foot

By Angie Mudd, Special to the Rocky

Published October 22, 2008 at 8:38 p.m.

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Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Last season, Allie McLaughlin's first running cross country, "I was so nervous, I would get scared in races so I would just start sprinting. It was a process for me learning how to race."

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She runs like a seasoned professional and almost as fast, but Air Academy senior Allie McLaughlin said her inaugural season running cross country last year was quite a learning experience.

"I was so nervous, I would get scared in races so I would just start sprinting," McLaughlin said. "It was a process for me learning how to race and knowing what to expect because at the starting line I just felt sick, so nervous and so scared."

Some of her competitors might feel the same way when they line up against McLaughlin considering she is unbeaten this season. She has broken the 18-minute mark in all but one race and likely will win her first Class 5A state championship in cross country on Saturday at the state championships at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins.

"This season went by so quick," McLaughlin said. "It was so fun, and my goal was to do well, but as the season went on, the more scared I got of getting hurt again."

McLaughlin burst onto the running scene to be a top performer last year, but a late-season stress fracture slowed her down and she settled for eighth at the state meet.

"It was really tough for me because I knew at state I wasn't going to be at my best," said McLaughlin, who bounced back to win the 3,200-meter run at the 5A state track meet in May. "Everyone got such a fast start, I wasn't quite in the shape I should have been, and so it made it seem like they were even faster."

McLaughlin, a former hockey player who is a top performer for the Kadets lacrosse team, said that in her second year of running she believes she knows a little bit more about what to expect from herself and her competition.

"I've got some good races in this season, but I know now that state is a different story, because other runners are going to burst out faster than they normally do," she said. "But I'm healthy and I'm feeling really good. I'm more relaxed this time, and I feel like I'm ready."

Class 5A

* McLaughlin is expected to be challenged by Dakota Ridge seniors Natosha Rogers (fourth last year) and Kaitie Vanatta (second), Cherry Creek junior Clare Gallagher (19th) and Fort Collins senior Miranda Benzel (seventh), who are trying to lead their respective teams to a championship.

"I know (McLaughlin) is going to be the toughest competition as far as the individual race goes," Benzel said. "She's a great runner, she starts out really fast, and I know I'll have to hold back a little bit in the beginning to try and catch up with her later on in the race."

While Benzel said McLaughlin will be tough to beat, the team race definitely appears to be too close to predict.

"It's going to be rough because Dakota Ridge and Cherry Creek will be really tough as a team, and we have a great team again this year." Benzel said. "We're really going to try and go out there and get them this year."

Class 4A

* Greeley West's Erica Hinchcliffe and Ashlee Smalley finished 1-2 and led their team to a state title last season, but the Spartans have had difficulty providing enough scoring runners at their meets this season.

Alamosa and Thompson Valley have had great seasons, but the depth of traditionally talented Mullen should give the Mustangs an opportunity to better their disappointing fifth-place finish last year and compete for the team title.

"It was more shocking than anything last year because we were expecting to at least take second," said Morgan Mosby, the only senior running for the Mustangs. "But it's good motivation for us this year. We have an awesome team and we have such a strong bond between everyone, so I think that will help us pull through. Running for a team is a lot easier than running for yourself."

But it's Thompson Valley senior Laura Tremblay (ninth last year) looking to add to her state crown collection, after winning two individual state titles in track (800 and 1,600). Her confidence has led to a productive and successful cross country season that could earn her the individual title.

Class 3A

* The Classical Academy's Kaitlin Hanenburg is such a heavy favorite to win the 3A title that the most exciting part of the race is going to be the battle for second place.

After winning the state cross country title, Hanenburg was selected the Rocky's All-Colorado Runner of the Year last season and has improved even more this season. Her only loss came at the LoboCat Invitational last month on the state course, where she lost to McLaughlin.

"I am feeling really good - I hope to do really well - but you never know until you get there," said Hanenburg, who expects Middle Park's Samantha Berggren, Lyons' Melissa Roberts and St. Mary's Kara Slavoski to challenge her.

The team race also almost is a sure thing for The Classical Academy. With the help of freshman teammate Shelby Stableford, Hanenburg is expected to lead the Titans to their sixth consecutive team title. Estes Park, Peak to Peak and Gunnison should be in the chase for the second spot.

"I think it would be kind of a shock if we didn't win," Hanenburg said. "Our whole team is pretty intense, and we know we can all depend on each other to run our hardest each and every race."

Class 2A

* With the Colorado High School Activities Association breaking the sport into four classifications, a lot of the athletes at the smaller schools have a better chance of performing well in the 2A division.

Wiggins senior Tara Richardson finished 25th in 3A last year, but she has posted the top 2A effort this year with a time of 18 minutes, 51 seconds at her home meet and should have a shot at the individual title.

In the team race, Crested Butte finished fifth as a team in 3A last year, and with Erin Kelly and Maddie Garcia posting some of the top performances in the division this season, the Titans are early favorites.

Not to be counted out are Mancos and Rocky Ford, and an even more impressive Nederland team. Led by freshman Rebecca Hermann, junior Kat Robinson and her freshman sister Kelley Robinson (Region 1 meet winner), it's possible the Panthers could crown an individual champion and claim the team title.

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