Rocky Mountain runners close season at state meet

Young Grizzlies show progress in Coach Gerry Burton’s first season

The Rocky Mountain High School cross country team closed a season of growth Saturday at the Wyoming State Cross Country Championships in Cheyenne, competing on a cold, windy day over one of the most challenging courses the Grizzlies faced all season.

For first-year head coach Gerry Burton, the state meet was a fitting conclusion to a season built around a young group learning the sport, improving their times and gaining confidence in what they can accomplish together.

“It’s been a great time,” Burton said. “I learned a lot. I had a lot of encouraging things from others, witnessing things and the growth of the kids. What we’re doing is working, so that’s what matters.”

Senior Avery Thomas led Rocky Mountain’s girls team, placing 14th in the 2A state race in 23:04.6. Her effort was especially meaningful because Thomas ran 26:21 at last year’s state meet on the same course.

Thomas returned this season after an injury limited her a year ago. Burton said she put in the work to get healthy and became an important presence for the younger runners.

“Avery had a wonderful season coming off of all of last year and injury,” Burton said. “She did a lot of therapy to get back to where she could run. She was a key role in keeping the kids going. She was a mama bear at times, a team leader.”

On the boys side, sophomore Rowan Hanusa led Rocky Mountain with a 22nd-place finish in 19:21.8. Hanusa improved by more than a minute from his 20:29 state performance last fall, a significant step on the demanding Cheyenne course.

Burton said Hanusa became more of a leader during the season and learned to trust his own pace rather than holding back with the group.

“Rowan would run with everybody, but then I’m like, ‘Rowan, you’ve got to just go,’” Burton said. “He would just take off and do his thing and come back. He might run a little extra around the track until everybody got back.”

Hanusa is already looking ahead to next season, hoping to move into the 18-minute range and perhaps lower.

Freshman Jason Unruh was next for Rocky Mountain, placing 44th in 21:38.2. Burton said Unruh showed plenty of heart as the team’s No. 2 runner but is still learning how to race against the clock as well as the field.

“He has a lot of heart,” Burton said. “The thing that held him back was, ‘Do I do like Rowan and just take off, or do I hang out with my freshman friends?’ The first half-mile would be with his friends, and then he would try to peel off and go further.”

Junior Ethan Haslem placed 53rd at state in 22:23.6, improving from 23:38 at last year’s state meet. Burton praised Haslem’s effort and attention to detail throughout the season.

“He works probably one of the hardest,” Burton said. “He never stops. He never takes a breather. He just goes and goes. During warmups, he’s just locked in on everything.”

Freshman Tristan Kerchner finished 62nd in 23:50.3. The result marked a dramatic improvement for a runner who had never participated in a school sport before joining cross country. Burton said Kerchner could become an important runner for Rocky Mountain during the next several seasons.

Freshman Derek Hedges completed the course in 24:12 for 65th place.

Hedges entered high school as a middle school track thrower who did not consider himself a distance runner, but Burton said he developed into a much quicker and more confident athlete.

Freshman James Demers placed 68th in 25:11.7. He missed about 10 days of the season because of family commitments but remained a strong young runner. Burton said there is still room for improvement in Demers’ posture and stride, but he believes Demers can make a significant jump next fall.

Burton credited assistant coach Mindy Mickelson with playing a major role in the team’s progress. Because Mickelson could meet students as soon as school ended and begin warmups, the team gained valuable practice time each afternoon before Burton arrived.

“She made a great big difference,” Burton said. “We had warmups going the minute they were outside. We had really quality warmups. Zero injuries for the year. No complaints.”

The Grizzlies will lose Thomas to graduation, but the boys team returns a strong young core led by Hanusa and Haslem, along with freshmen Unruh, Kerchner, Hedges and Demers.

Burton said the enthusiasm is already there. Every runner told him they plan to return next season, and several joined him for a run up Five Springs the day after the season ended. Some have also discussed summer running opportunities, including the Yellowstone Half Marathon in June.

For a first-year coach and a young team, Burton said the future looks bright.

“What we’re doing is working,” he said. “That’s what matters.”