Summit runner wins Eagle Valley Invitational a day after committing to run for the Colorado Buffaloes
Ella Hagen showed why she is one of the best runners in the country, winning by over 2 minutes as the No. 2 Tigers took the team title, too
Ryan Sederquist/Vail Daily
For Ella Hagen, a ‘rust-buster’ apparently looks like a 2-minute, 21-second win. That’s why the Summit star is headed to the NCAA DI level.
One day after committing to running at the University of Colorado, a perennial power, the senior soloed the Siena Valley Club’s rolling grass 5-kilometer course in 18 minutes, 08.1 seconds.
“I just really wanted to put myself out there, race as hard as I could, but just really enjoy it,” Hagen said after her first 5K of the season. “I’m really happy with how it went.”
The Tiger — whose decorated career has included state titles on the track, in cross-country and in Nordic skiing — sliced 16 seconds off the course record she set last year.
“I think I’m getting stronger,” she said. “I approached it a little bit differently (this year). I wanted to just be confident in myself and show that on the course. Definitely just an opportunity to open it up and see where I am.”
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Hagen had the final kilometer across the golf course’s driving range all to herself, finishing well ahead of runner-up Taya Wren (20:29.1) of Rangely. Summit teammates Lily Benbow (20:52) and Avery Eytel finished third and fourth, edging out Battle Mountain freshman Eden Demino (20:52.7) and Aspen’s Julia Diaz (20:52.9) in the final 50 yards.
“The team is looking amazing, so being able to be a part of it is super special with my senior year,” said Hagen, whose No. 2-ranked Tigers claimed a 29-point win over Battle Mountain. “We’re fighting with each other and for each other and it’s super special.”
The top-three teams in the nation are in Colorado’s 5A class now that defending 4A champion Niwot reclassified up. That has opened the door for the Summit, which started the year No. 1 in 4A.
“It means we’re able to fight for it and show exactly how strong we can be,” said Hagen, who is looking forward to staying in-state for college.
“I’m beyond happy,” she said of choosing to be a Buff. “It’s kind of surreal that I get to continue doing what I love at a place like CU. I never wanted to leave the mountains — so, I don’t have to.”
Battle Mountain ran its full slate of freshmen for the first time this season.
“I kept saying, we finally get to see the fully operational Death Star,” said head coach Rob Parish, who has a rule that new athletes have to run junior varsity in their first two meets wearing black and gold. “This was the first time we got to see the full team at its potential, which was so exciting.”
“I think they really (helped us) improve ourselves because it was the first time we’ve all raced with each other and everyone ran faster,” added Ruthie Demino (22:17.3), the team’s second runner. Her younger sister came into the race with two goals.
“I wanted to letter — so, get under 21:30 — and just beat my sister,” Eden Demino said. Caroline Provencher (21:42.76), Isla Elton (21:51.41) and Larsen Middaugh (22:18.31) rounded out the team’s scoring. Middaugh said she was nervous for her first varsity race, but got a good luck text from brothers Sullivan and Porter Middaugh, two of the most successful runners to ever come through Battle Mountain’s pipeline.
“I think it went pretty good,” Larsen Middaugh said. “I accomplished what I wanted.”
Parish said even with the rising tide of young talent, the veterans in his pack are still leading workouts as the rookies figure things out. He’s enjoyed coaching everyone’s capacity to train and race and is excited to see how much the team grows — especially if they “buy in and believe” in their potential.
“They always improve by the end,” he said.
Eagle Valley finished eighth in the 11-team field, led by Ginger Reilly’s 11th-place finish. The senior ran 21:30.53, a 9-second course best.
“I think Ginger just continues to be patient and just kind of hit goal after goal after goal,” Brandt said of Reilly, whom the coach said has been chasing the times of recent graduate Ellie Shroll at each meet. On Saturday, she was seven seconds off of Shroll’s mark. Meanwhile, Olivia Ingoldsby (23:46.19) and Lucita Stowell (23:47.88) pushed each other right to the line to finish 37th and 38th, respectively. Jada Cobb (25:44.30) and Madison Dallmann (25:48.66) rounded out the scoring and Ky Hower (25:53.06) was on their heels.
“Olivia and Luci running together the last two races is really great to see,” Brandt said of the daily training partners. “We’re going to continue to work to pull that next group together. They’re getting stronger each week.”
