A nearly two-hour weather delay turned out to be a blessing for several runners at the 2025 Cheyenne Mountain Stampede on Friday, including The Classical Academy girls’ cross country team.

After three of eight races in the pre-state meet at Norris Penrose Event Center, thunder and lightning forced runners and spectators to seek shelter. An hour and 45 minutes later, it was announced that the large school and championship races would be combined, giving runners about 30 minutes notice.

It was a hectic couple of hours for the 91 teams and 2,100 runners present, but the cooler temperatures from the rain resulted in perfect racing conditions. Before the delay, it was nearly 90 degrees.

Several teams benefited, including 3A defending state champion TCA which placed second with 104 points in a stacked championship race that included nationally ranked Air Academy, which finished sixth.

“Something our coaches always teach us is how to be extremely flexible in situations like this if you want to compete at a higher level,” Titan junior Vivian Jack said. “As a team we are so focused and we all love racing and today was like a quiz before the big exam.”

Heritage topped the girls podium at 49 points with senior Emry Schwalm clearing the field in a personal best time of 17:07.3, a whopping 43 seconds ahead of her teammate Caroline Fender, who finished second.

Boulder took the boys’ championship title, followed by Rock Canyon and Air Academy. Dylan Blair of Eagle Valley won the race in 15:11.4 ahead of defending champion Aiden Le Roux of Cheyenne Mountain (15:18.9). Carson Smith of Air Academy took third in 15:21.1.

Several Titans had personal best performances Friday, including sophomore Ellie Askew, who was two minutes faster than her time at this meet last year when the team placed third behind Heritage and Cherry Creek.

Jack led TCA with a fifth place finish (18:17.5) followed by Askew who finished 10th (18:33.6).

“We were so ready to come out and make a statement,” Askew said. “It’s extremely important to have a positive attitude throughout the whole thing. You can’t let negative thoughts get into your head like how the delay will affect you or else you will start to believe them.”

Despite the time changes and crowded start, TCA coach Matt Norton expressed great appreciation toward Cheyenne Mountain in getting the meet running after the delay, and is proud of how the Titans managed, especially with several freshmen running in their first meet.

It’s the first competition of the season, but it’s an encouraging one for the close-knit Titans.

“We are always surprised when we are able to beat some of those teams in the top ten,” coach Norton said. “Colorado cross country is so amazingly deep and what happened tonight doesn’t mean it will happen again, but it will encourage them that big things are possible.

“We are excited, it’s going to be a fun journey. Whatever happens will be great.”