PHOTO: Palmer Ridge's Spencer Wenck charged to the finish line Thursday at the Spartan
Invitational at Bear Creek Park. Wenck won in a record time of 15:58.

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VIDEO: DANCE BREAKS OUT AT CROSS COUNTRY MEET

Palmer Ridge cross country runner Spencer Wenck has five victories in
five starts this season. He has pasted every course he's run with some
of the fastest times in recent memory.
He has an excellent opportunity to win the Class 4A state title. But he isn't thinking that way.
It's all about time for Wenck. He wants to run cross country's 5k distance in 15 minutes, 20 seconds.
"That's my goal, Wenck said on Thursday after setting a course record (15:58)
at the Spartan Invitational at hilly Bear Creek Park. "The best time at
state last year was 15:22, so that's what I'm shooting for."
Wenck's best chance at hitting his goal will come at the Class 4A regional meet
in two weeks at the fast and flat Monument Valley Park course.
"It will be hard, but doable," Wenck said. "It's (15:20) only 16 seconds faster than my fastest."
His season has been a dream. As a junior, he won only one race. He said
training through the summer to build his base fitness made the
difference.
"I think it really allowed by to start the season and go straight to speed work."
Pueblo West's Mike Cernoia (16:25) and Jordan Montera (17:10) finished second
and third respectively. Peyton's Nick Baca was fourth in 17:33.
In the boys' team competition, Palmer Ridge showed plenty of speed. The
Bears placed five scoring runners among the top 34 to win with 82
points. Lewis-Palmer, paced by Josh Davis (5th, .17:45), finished
second. Cheyenne Mountain placed third.
In the girls' race, Palmer Ridge's Ali Deitsch won with a time of 20:07, followed by Pueblo West's
Mattie Jesmain (20:47), Palmer Ridge's Heather Gentry (21:02).
Cheyenne Mountain's girls captured the team title behind a tough run by Nell
Crosby (21:08, fourth place). The Indians scored 40 points to
second-place Doherty's 99. Palmer Ridge scored 111 for third, followed
by Coronado (148) .

BOYS RESULTS
Team: Palmer Ridge 82, Lewis-Palmer 95, Cheyenne Mountain 103, Pueblo West 124, Coronado 148,
Doherty 198, Gunnison 200, Woodland Park 205, Fountain Valley 255,
Pueblo Central 262, Denver South 295, Peyton 306, Canon City 330, Sand
Creek 334, TRHS 356, ECA 392, Mesa Ridge 469, Mitchell 503, Ellicott
548, Thomas Jefferson 558, Wasson ns, Centauri ns, James Irwin ns,
Vanguard ns
Boys Individual: Spencer Wenck (PR) 15:58, Mike Cernoia (PW) 16:25, Jordan Montera (PW) 17:10, Nick Baca,(PEY) 17:33, Josh Davis
(LP) 17:45, John Powell (GUN) 17:57, Brandon Schow (PR) 18:01, Meyer
(CM) 18:03, Sabian Beard (PEY) 18:04, Rodrigo Baeza (FV) 18:05.
GIRLS RESULTS
Team: Cheyenne Mountain 40, Doherty 99, Palmer Ridge 111, Coronado 148,
Denver South 157, Woodland Park 164, Pueblo West 170, Gunnison 197,
Fountain Valley 201, Lewis-Palmer 225, Canon City 228, Sand Creek 298,
TRHS 343, Wasson 439, Centauri ns, Mesa Ridge, Mitchell ns, Pueblo
Central ns, James Irwin ns, Thomas Jefferson ns, ECA ns, Peyton ns,
Ellicott ns.
Girls Individual: Ali Deitsch (PR) 20:07, Mattie Jesmain (PW) 20:47, Heather Gentry (PR) 21:02, Nell Crosby (CM) 21:08, Diana
Miller ter-kuile (CENTAURI) 21:09, Sydney Scott (DS) 21:11, Kellyn Craig
(DS) 21:18, Liz Stagberg (CM) 21:21, Kali Maxwell (CM) 21:22, Samantha
Sloan (CM) 21:28, Sam Olvera (FV) 21:37.