Ski and Snowboard Club Vail Nordic Town Series race No. 3 results

1.5-kilometer results

U8 girls

  1. Imogen Pepper 10:40
  2. Sonja Sterling 13:27
  3. Isabelle Mullen 15:21

U10 girls

  1. Camille Lee 7:13
  2. Lucia Elton 8:16
  3. Claire Haytmanek 8:20

U8 boys

  1. Ryder Ellefson 7:40
  2. Owen Bangtson 11:32

U10 boys

  1. Oscar Sterling 6:46

3-kilometer results

U10 girls

  1. Sara Redden 19:38

U12 girls

  1. Georgia Robison 10:05
  2. Ava Cozzens 19:40

U14 girls

  1. Kali Redden 14:20

U16 girls

  1. Addy Moser 13:30

U8 boys

  1. Blaise Underhill 17:21

U10 boys

  1. Bradley Bangtson 13:00
  2. Quentin Zalisk 17:03
  3. Aiden Cozzens 21:34

U12 boys

  1. Hudson Ciluzzi 9:26
  2. Gavin Hood 9:55
  3. Brady Foss 10:25
  4. Tucker Moore 10:56
  5. Corbin Klesner 11:28
  6. Flynn Moser 13:04
  7. Caden Baker 13:49

U14 boys

  1. Tyler Ciluzzi 8:56
  2. Graham Robison 9:30
  3. Will Chaussignand 9:39
  4. Tyler Moore 10:06

5-kilometer results

Women

  1. Sarah Hochtl 14:10
  2. Isla Elton 15:11
  3. Jenny Hochtl 15:19
  4. Lindsey Whitton 15:39
  5. Kira Hower 15:40
  6. Karis Alexander 15:44
  7. Eliza Pyke 16:30
  8. Bella Williams 17:16
  9. Ruthie DeMino 17:17
  10. Hudson Turner 17:18
  11. Reese Davis 17:19
  12. Ary Alexander 17:33
  13. Sabrina Nabonsal 17:42
  14. Belen Hahn 20:57
  15. Sophia Erving 21:38
  16. Sienna DesPortes 22:35
  17. Abigail Rowe 22:35

Men

  1. Franklin Reilly 12:00
  2. Kevin Hochtl 12:01
  3. Dan Weiland 12:17
  4. Will Brunner 12:35
  5. Karl III Hochtl 13:18
  6. Chris Baddick 13:25
  7. Steven White 13:37
  8. Micheal Freidburg 13:48
  9. Patrick Addabbo 13:50
  10. Chad Young 14:19
  11. John McAbee 14:20
  12. Trey Johnston 14:55
  13. Miles McKenzie 15:20
  14. Thomas Dekanich 15:20
  15. Theo Krueger 15:20
  16. Aiden Kelley 15:20
  17. John Foss 15:36
  18. Wyatt Hooker 15:41
  19. Finn Sullivan 15:42
  20. Boden Anderson 15:43
  21. Blake Anneberg 17:45
  22. Greg Ciluzzi 19:19

The final race is March 23 at Maloit Park. There will be 1k, 5k, 10k and 20k mass start skate events beginning at 10 a.m. Registration is day-of at the venue. Cost is $5 for 1k and 3k races and $10 for 5k, 10k and 20k events.

Eagle County athletes prep for Vail Recreation District winter race series

Trade in those mountain bikes and trail shoes for skimo set-ups, snowshoes and spikes.

The Vail Recreation District’s winter race series line-up features six events in 2023-24, starting with the new Beaver Creek Uphill and Skimo on Jan. 6. Most events include uphill ski, splitboard, non-ski/splitboard and skimo (up and down) categories.

“These winter races with the VRD help me keep my edge sharp,” said Kim Fuller, a local writer who also competes in the recreation district’s summer trail running and mountain bike town series.

“Whether it’s skimo or running, the fact that we can push ourselves with some of those same people that we’re seeing out on the trails in the summer — in a totally different environment, surface and sport — is really fun and keeps that community camaraderie rolling as well.”

Fuller considers herself a “mountain endurance athlete” but tends to lean more toward running. The 36-year-old competed at the Moab Trail Half-Marathon on Nov. 4, the capstone event for a summer in which she contested every VRD trail run race (winning the overall points category for 30-39 women) and made her mountain bike town series debut as well.

“I was really proud of myself,” she said of venturing into vet-expert status in the latter series, which she called “an intimidating prospect” in the spring.

“I think just showing up and doing some of the events I’ve never done was a reminder of how great it is that we have the opportunity to get out there, have fun and compete at this level.”

A veteran of ski touring, Fuller said there’s a good possibility she’ll be in a skimo setup for a few winter races this season. During the summer, she competed for The Cycle Effect — a local nonprofit focused on empowering young women through mountain biking — which was co-founded by VRD series regulars Brett and Tamara Donelson.

“Our whole business for the last 10 years has been getting girls into the VRD races,” Brett said.  

“Our motto of life is: ‘I don’t want to get ready for something. I want to be ready,'” said Tamara Donelson, shown competing in the Son of Middle Creek Enduro race on June 28.
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo

“It’s good to have some element of a race because it’s a different intensity,” Tamara added. “You can train all winter, but race pace is really hard to simulate. And it’s social. You get to see other people at the races, which is always really fun. You can suffer together and kind of bond over that mutual hard effort.”

Cross-training for the winter race series is the perfect pinch of off-season spice for the couple’s main dish of mountain biking, which marinates throughout the colder months in three weekly indoor strength sessions and a couple of evening skimo laps when there’s time.

“Skinning Arrowhead is our idea of a Friday night,” Tamara said. The 48-year-old chased Bear National Team cyclists and Vail resident Bayli McSpadden during the summer series.

2023-24 Vail Recreation District Winter Race Series schedule

Jan. 6 – Beaver Creek Uphill & Skimo

Jan. 27 – Arrowhead Uphill & Skimo

Feb. 7 – Beginner Skimo Clinic with Dawes Wilson.

Feb. 10 – Meadow Mountain Skimo

Feb. 18 – Vail Mountain Winter Uphill

March 16 – Krueger Family Shamrock Shuffle Snowshoe & Winter Running Race

“I enjoy being able to toe the line with her and keep her in sight for a little bit, and that’s really motivating,” Tamara said before adding that the changing of the seasons allows others in the VRD race community to step into the spotlight.

“Everyone has a little bit of a niche. If you’re a little bit competitive, you’re trying to stretch to be in the top 5% of each of those if you can.”

“The community is awesome,” her husband added. “I love the mountain bike community, run community, the skimo community — they’re all really nice people out there trying to stay healthy and live a long time.”

Courtesy of her XTERRA background, Tamara prides herself on mastering skimo’s transitions.

“It’s like free speed,” she said of the sport she and her husband picked up only a few years ago. “You get that dialed, and you’re out of there. They take a little bit of thought and actually a little bit of practice.” 

Both Donelsons are excited for the Meadow Mountain race on Feb. 10.

“I like the downhill skiing part; I think that adds a whole different level of challenge, that it’s not just about fitness,” Donelson said before recommending the more manicured Arrowhead race for newbies.

“People have access to Arrowhead all the time, so they can try it 2-3 times before the race, and the skiing is generally pretty easy,” he continued. “It’s probably the best first race; Meadow Mountain is more of a robust event.”

Fuller also enjoys Arrowhead, where she is the defending non-ski category uphill champion.

“It’s just a little bit more forgiving,” she said. “It’s still steep, but it’s a little bit shorter and less elevation. And it’s first, so it’s a great warm-up for the Vail Mountain Winter Uphill.” 

Runners climb 2,273 feet in 2.12 miles in the aforementioned event, set for Feb. 18, 2024.

“It honors uphill runners, hikers and skiers, and the community breakfast at Eagles Nest is always a special time for locals to get together,” stated race co-founder Ellen Miller who noted the event is held in memory of Vail local Lyndon Ellefson and serves as a fundraiser for the U.S. mountain running team.

“Vail Rec does an amazing job with all of the winter races they host. The events are welcoming and they are fun for people of all ages and abilities.”

Duncan McHale of Denver competes at the 2023 Arrowhead Uphill.
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo

Brett Donelson’s winter race calendar is still under construction, but there aren’t currently plans to leave the county for races.

“I don’t need to go anywhere else to find really good competition,” he said. “It keeps me busy all winter, and it keeps me enjoying going out at night in the cold and dark whereas normally I would just sit on my couch and watch TV.”

When asked for advice on how busy professionals and parents can squeeze in cold-weather workouts, he said gear matters.

“You have to be willing to do it at night,” he stated. “A good headlamp, two extra jackets when you get to the top, and when you get home, take a hot shower.” 

Training for life

For many competitors, participation in the VRD race series is less about winning or losing and more about showing solidarity with the local culture of lifelong fitness.

“Having people around me like Ellen, Brett and Tam — the list goes on with people that I look up to in this world who have really set the tone for our community,” Fuller said.

“We connect a lot over our training. We connect over going on trips to ride bikes — things like that,” Brett said in describing his marital relationship. “It’s a lot to us. It’s how we believe we’re going to stay fit and healthy long into life. All the sports we do in VRD, we can be doing when we’re 70.”

“It’s so much more fun to do it together; so, I think we’re both in a sense invested in each other’s health and fitness because then not only are you ready to do anything at a drop of the hat, but you have a partner who’s ready,” added Tamara.

“We both want to be moving as well as possible for as long as possible.” 

Still, registering for any local race presents the intimidating possibility of lining up next to some “ex-World Cup” athlete, Tamara noted. When the pressure of expectations becomes too heavy, she’s had to remind herself to let go of what others think.

“Whether you’re nervous or apprehensive, I always say, ‘don’t flatter yourself Tam. Nobody really gives a crap where you come,'” she said. “The hardest part is signing up for the race and being brave enough to enter and throw yourself out there.” 

Fuller’s message for the curious? Don’t be afraid.

“What’s great about the VRD is they make these races, all year round, welcoming to everyone,” she said. “Show up as you are and try it out and see what interests you.”

Josiah Middaugh on his way to winning the 2023 Arrowhead Uphill open division last Saturday.
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo

Avon Swim Team wins Colorado senior long-course state small team title

The Avon Swim Team has had quite a summer.

Coach Meghan Hershey qualified three swimmers to Summer Sectionals in Boise, Idaho, July 13-16, guided the club to the Colorado Swimming Inc. (CSI) senior long-course state title July 20-23 in Thornton and had six athletes swim at the CSI age-group state championship July 28-30. Finally, Breck Boyd became the first swimmer during her tenure to qualify and compete at the USA Swimming Futures — USA Swimming’s second of four tiers (the tiers, in succession are: sectionals, futures, junior nationals, Olympic Trials) of national meets.

“I’m really proud of them,” Hershey said. “They’re all working hard, trusting in the process and really just growing in the pool.”

Boyd and teammates Emma Lindstrom and Brian Molloy all notched four personal best times apiece in Boise. Boyd finished 18th in the 100 backstroke, finishing with a Futures cut and personal best time of 1 minute, 0.65 seconds. Lindstrom’s lifetime marks came in the 50, 100, 200 and 400 freestyles, highlighted by a 2:10.10 — 2.55 seconds faster than her previous lifetime best — in the 200 to place 17th overall. Molloy finished in the top 30 with a 1:11.95 in the 100 breaststroke and lowered his best 200 breaststroke, 50 freestyle and 200 individual medley marks as well.

Emma Lindstrom competes at the Speedo Summer Sectionals in Boise, Idaho.
Meghan Hershey/Courtesy photo

“Overall the team swam excellently, and it was awesome to have the opportunity to watch them support each other and grow together in and out of the pool,” Hershey stated.

The following week, all three athletes headed to Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center in Thornton for the senior long-course state championships.

“They were tired but they continued to drop time in a lot of their events,” Hershey said.

Saving something for San Antonio, Breck Boyd raced only relays, but his younger brother Tyson competed in six individual races (and two relays), placing third and fourth in the 1500 and 800-meter freestyles, respectively. Andrew Molloy, competing as a 12-year-old against the 13 and older competition, hopped on both relays and notched a 12th place finish in the 200 individual medley. Older brother Brian finished ninth in the 100 breaststroke. Hershey was also impressed by Maya Valean’s performances in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes.

“She’s been training with the seniors and been working hard all summer,” the coach said. “I’m really proud of her for stepping up and putting her all into what she was doing.”

Molloy, Boyd and Tennyson Sipes, who was 11th and 16th in the 400 and 800 freestyles, form a talented core group. They helped the club win the winter age-group state title in March.

“The exciting thing about them is they’ll all be 18 for the next Olympic Trials,” Hershey said.

CSI Senior Long-course summer state championships – Avon Swim Team results

Brian Molloy

100 breaststroke: 1:11.59, ninth-place

Emma Lindstrom

100 freestyle: 1:00.58, 17th place

Tennyson Sipes

400 freestyle: 4:49.95, 16th place

800 freestyle: 10:07.52, 11th place

Andrew Molloy

100 breaststroke: 1:18.32, 20th place

200 breaststroke: 3:00.72, 28th place

200 individual medley: 2:31.52, 12th place

Tyson Boyd

1500 freestyle (13-14): 18:37.70, third place

400 individual medley (13-14): 5:18.32, sixth place

200 breaststroke: 2:44.45, 10th place

200 freestyle: 2:13.51, 13th place

400 freestyle: 4:39.18, sixth place

800 freestyle: 9:37.16, fourth place

Maya Valean

100 breaststroke, 1:29.38, 34th place

200 breaststroke, 3:12.86, 26th place

400-meter medley relay: Breck Boyd, Brian Molloy, Andrew Molloy, Tyson Boyd – 4:21.33, 22nd place (*qualified for winter sectionals)

400-meter freestyle relay: Breck Boyd, Brian Molloy, Andrew Molloy, Tyson Boyd – 3:58.70, 23rd place

 

While a few of Avon’s older athletes flew out to St. Petersburg, Florida, to end their seasons at the 2023 Summer Elite Showcase, Avon’s six age-group swimmers — Madison Beidel, Maxwell Leingang, Logan Shiao, Sierra Shiao, Paisley Thompson and Jackie Woodrow — competed in Grand Junction at the end of July for the CSI age-group championships. A familiar theme continued: setting personal bests.

Leingang chopped three seconds off his 50-meter breaststroke and two more off his 100-meter freestyle. Logan Shiao had sixth personal records, highlighted by a pair of 24th-place finishes in the 50 and 200-meter freestyles.

The Avon Swim Team coaches with athletes Paisley Thompson, Jackie Woodrow, Maddison Beidel and Logan Shiao at the CSI Age-group state meet.
Meghan Hershey/Courtesy photo

“We did really well,” Hershey said. “It was a younger team. I actually had more girls at that meet than I ever have.”

Beidel saw 10 individual marks fall, including a 27-second drop in the girls 400-meter individual medley, where she placed 10th.

“I was at Futures getting texts from other coaches about how crazy her 400 IM was and the stuff she was doing at the age group meet,” Hershey said. “That was pretty cool.”

Beidel also took eighth in the 400 freestyle and is within eight seconds of the 12 and under Zones Championship cut. Hershey has noticed the girls striving to match the boys.

“I’m starting to see my girls are really starting to buy into it and it’s cool to see them have the same goals the guys have,” Hershey said.

Sierra Shiao, Maxwell Leingang, Madison Beidel at the CSI Age-group state meet at the end of July.
Meghan Hershey/Courtesy photo

Breck Boyd eyes Junior Nationals and Olympic Trials

Breck Boyd competed at the USA Swimming Futures Championship in San Antonio, Texas July 26-29.
Meghan Hershey/Courtesy photo

Breck Boyd’s breakthrough was perhaps the most notable of the summer. The 15-year-old became the first swimmer in club history to qualify for a second tier USA Swimming national meet by competing in both the 100 and 200 backstrokes at the Futures Championships in San Antonio, Texas July 26-29.

“It was the biggest meet I’ve coached so far,” Hershey said. “Breck is incredibly motivated and has been working hard in and out of the pool to achieve his goals.”

Four finals heats (A, B, C, and D), with eight athletes apiece, were contested at Futures, with the C and D sections protected to 18-and-under athletes. Competing against college and national level athletes, Boyd qualified for the open B final of the 200 backstroke. He swam a 2.38-second personal best to place 16th in a time of 2:09.20, less than a second (2:08.49) off the Junior Nationals cut. In the 100 backstroke, he finished in 22nd in a time of 59.59, also sniffing distance of that Junior Nationals requirement (58.89).

“I do believe he can do it,” Hershey said of Boyd’s aspirations to qualify for the 2023 Winter Junior National Championships in Westmont, Illinois Dec. 6-9. “We’re gunning for it, we’re upping his training a little bit in and out of the pool.”

Boyd’s CrossFit coach, Samuel Matthews, has been pushing the swimmer during his third sets, hoping to train against fading during the third 50-meters of the 200 backstroke. Beyond nationals, Boyd’s long-term goal is reaching USA Swimming’s fourth tier: the Olympic Trials next June. Given the raised expectations and talent in her program, Hershey is upping her game, too. Next week she’ll attend the American Swim Coaches Association clinic in Dallas.

“I just have to grow in my skills as a coach so I can give them as much as they can to let them be successful, if it’s what they decide they want,” she said, adding that when she started in her role, she figured this kind of growth was a possibility.

“When I started, I saw this potential in all of them, and it’s just really cool to get to grow with them,” she continued. “As they grow, I’m continuously learning and trying to learn from the best.”

For Boyd specifically, Hershey is confident in his fundamental technique. Now, it’s about upping the training and improve intentionality in practice.

“We’ve done a lot of mental training for pre-race, nerves, and what happens when you’re competing, but now, focusing a little more on mental training in practice and how much you can push your body in practice,” she said.

“It doesn’t mean we need to drastically increase yardage or anything; it just means the sets we’re doing, they need to be putting 100% effort in — even though it’s hard or you’re having a bad day and you don’t want to. But, coming in and giving your all because of that long term goal you have.”

The Avon Swim Team coaching staff: Tom Kiddoo, Meghan Hershey, Kylee Smith and Charlie Kiddoo. Not pictured: Claire Altenau.
Meghan Hershey/Courtesy photo

Results from the Vail Grind mountain bike race

Beginner boys 8-10

Forrest Cannava 8:49
Lukas Major 16:08

Beginner girls 8-10

Olivia Bronson 12:56
Sophie Swanson 15:07

Sport boys 8-10

Bates Gorbold 15:05
Max Major 15:33
Brady Foss 16:09
Wyatt Bronson 17:28
Crosby Stadler 19:14

Sport girls 8-10

Annabel White 23:58

Beginner girls 11-14

Natalie Burke 20:03

Beginner boys 11-14

Braedan Pottratz 15:34
James Porter 17:39
Logan Kaddatz 17:39
Will Chaussignand 18:27

Sport girls 11-14

Eva Klenser 34:02
Lindy Brummer 34:37
Holly Berghauer 35:59

Sport boys 11-14

Briggs Murray 25:05
Marius Sømme 26:25
Tucker Moore 27:05
Landon Foss 28:03
Tyler Moore 28:03
Trevan Baker 30:12
Oliver Moss 39:14

Beginner women

Chase Rogowski 30:07
Nina Sysko 30:31
Katie Lombardi 30:45
Kaitlyn Musick 33:35
Courtney Ringlein 34:02
Danielle Steiner 34:38
Eva Issacs 36:03
Adrienne Graybill 39:12
Heather Blackmon 40:31
Victoria Stanislawski 41:03
Justy Daley 41:06
Nevaeh Locke 51:38

Beginner men

Doug Lang 28:45
Garrett MacLachlan 29:18
Vlad Grigoras 29:53
Christian Carson 29:55
Ethan Current 31:04
Kirk Blackmon 31:35
Fred Cook:31:59
Jeff Christiansen 32:05
Eugen Galatanu 0:33:53

Clydesdale (200+)

Jamie Hijmans 1:17:19
David Hawkins 1:35:19

Sport men

Avery Smith 59:00
Noah Knezic 1:03:17
Peter Kan Jr. 1:05:13
Jim Elliott 1:05:53
Tuck Graham 1:05:53
Kai Skellion 1:06:53
Jack Sargent 1:08:04
Nolan Sawtelle 1:08:28
Parker Malenke 1:10:25
Henry Hougen 1:12:54
Nicholas Isgrig 1:13:35
Julian Zighelboim 1:14:02
Jackson Pundt 1:17:24
Emmett Covello 1:18:15
David Castillo 1:19:06
Rob Shearon 1:22:47
Miles Gentry 1:22:57
Jesse Kuhn 1:23:23

Sport women

Anna Bidstrup 1:12:09
Anna Trombetta 1:14:17
Marisa Dobrot 1:20:26
Emily Block 1:23:51
Vespera Steiner 1:28:57
Stella Sanders 1:28:57

Women’s vet sport (35-49)

Kerry Brown 1:16:23
Emily Large 1:22:14
Jennie Thorne 1:22:53
Ruth Razzo 1:24:16
Caitlin Weis 1:26:23
Nadine Hinkle 1:38:53
Birgit Seidel 1:54:44

Men’s vet sport (35-49)

Bobby Brown 1:01:44
Paul Datsko 1:04:05
Chris Gleeson 1:04:12
Kevin Haas 1:05:33
Lukas Rhoads 1:06:11
T.J. Voboril 1:06:13
Adam Kowalski 1:09:00
Sean Molloy 1:12:18
Casey Pavek 1:45:32

Women’s master sport (50+)

Nancy Mires 1:17:55
Michelle Wolffe 1:23:50
Caren Davis 1:24:31
Valerie Sloniker 1:26:04
Carrie Larson 1:37:20

Men’s master sport (50+)

Eric Windholz 1:07:31
Innes Isom 1:09:15
Matt Marshall 1:13:56
Peter Kan 1:15:14
Chip Craft 1:15:14
Matt Johnson 1:19:56
James Carullo 1:27:54
Tim Walters 1:27:58

Men’s grand master (60+)

Charles Brown 1:14:48
Andrew Dobrot 1:15:42
Philippe Courtois 1:19:13
Michael Johnson 1:24:23

Expert women

Keely Hendricks 1:08:42
Rose Sandel 1:12:07
Taylor Frankel 1:12:26
Jolene Edelamann 1:13:21

Expert men

Eric Asselin 1:12:36
Weston Sawtelle 1:12:43
David Sanders 1:14:12
Carter Holzhei 1:15:34
Marshall Troutner 1:16:15
Alex Current 1:16:28
Andrew Lombardi 1:17:48

Women’s vet expert (35-49)

Jennifer Razee 1:12:53
Molly Gamble 1:13:48
Kim Fuller 1:14:11
May Jackson 1:20:56

Men’s vet expert (35-49)

Michael Dorr 1:15:21
Brett Donelson 1:16:33
Dan Weiland 1:17:45
Ryan Simmons 1:19:34
Michael Sherven 1:21:39
Matt Razo 1:21:43
Brian White 1:21:52
Michael Glass 1:22:12
Nick Brummer 1:26:08
Lawrence Moss 1:28:11
Bobby L’Heureux 1:36:28
Peter Fralick 1:37:32
Dave Walsh 1:43:40
Andrew Taylor 1:45:36

Women’s master expert (50+)

Leslie Reuter 1:13:14
Pavan Krueger 1:15:51
Kelli Rohrig 1:16:16
Beth Bush 1:17:29
Heidi Trueblood 1:17:33

Men’s master expert (50+)

Jason Russell 1:16:31
Stephen Elzinga 1:19:15
Noel Reuter 1:19:22
Mike Trueblood 1:21:54
Charlie Stocker 1:25:37
matt donovan 1:31:37

Men’s grand master expert (60+)

Peter Davis 1:23:23
Ron Gruber 1:23:46
Dawes Wilson 1:44:30

Men’s single speed

Matthew Pacocha 1:17:52
Mark Nesline 1:21:15
B.J. Psenda 1:26:45
James Ellis 1:28:08
Jeff Rank 1:28:32
Marty Golembiewski 1:29:52

Women’s pro/open

Haley Dumke 1:18:10
Suzie Snyder 1:21:49
Tamara Donelson 1:26:15
Ingrid Stensvaag 1:27:10
Julia Walsh 1:35:51

Men’s pro/open

Landen Stovall 1:06:02
Sam Brown 1:06:14
Jake Wells 1:09:16
Michael Hand 1:10:44
Jonathan Modig 1:11:58
Aiden Brown 1:12:57
Reiner Schmidt 1:13:22
Chad Kittles 1:20:11
Mitch Goodnight 1:55:48

Vail Golf Club director Alice Plain wins prestigious award

Alice Plain, the director of golf at the Vail Golf Club was honored with the prestigious Colorado Section PGA Warren Smith Award, the Vail Recreation District announced in a recent press release.

 The Warren Smith Award is presented to a PGA Professional who has made exceptional contributions to the game of golf, the Colorado section, junior golf and their facility. Plain is the first woman to win the Warren Smith award for the Colorado section.

Plain grew up in South Bend, Indiana, where she was introduced to golf through her father; the game has always been a large part of her life. She played on a men’s team at Hanover College in southern Indiana before transferring to Oklahoma State University to play golf for the Cowgirls. After graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing, she moved to the Vail Valley. Over the past 15 years as the Director of Golf at the Vail Golf Club, Plain has helped expand junior golf programming and ladies’ programs.

Plain’s other notable accolades include being recognized as the Colorado PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year in 2021. She enjoys the mountain lifestyle and has many passions, including skiing, mountain and road biking, hiking, ski touring and mountaineering.

Trey Johnson is named Golf Professional of the Year, Colorado PGA – West Chapter

Trey Johnson won the Colorado PGA’s 2022 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – West Chapter and the 2022 Youth Player Development award.
Vail Recreation District/Courtesy photo

Congratulations are also in order for head golf professional Trey Johnson, who won the Colorado PGA’s 2022 Assistant Golf Professional of the Year — West Chapter. He was also awarded the 2022 Youth Player Development award. Johnson has been instrumental in the success of junior golf programming during his time at the Vail Golf Club.

A native of Littleton, Johnson studied hospitality management at the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. He completed his degree in 2016, with a focus on professional golf management. Since then, he has spent nine seasons being actively involved in all operations at the Vail Golf Club. In 2023, he was promoted from assistant golf professional to head golf professional. In 2020, Johnson received the Youth Development Award and in 2018 he was selected as the Assistant Professional of the Year — West Chapter.

In his free time, Johnson likes to spend his time outdoors — on his mountain bike, running or on a pair of skis. Trey has also played ice hockey since the age of five, and continues to be an avid hockey player.

The stories behind a few of the 35 Vail Valley athletes taking on XTERRA Beaver Creek

Thirty-five Eagle County triathletes, including the defending U.S. champions Sullivan Middaugh and Suzie Snyder, will dive into Nottingham Lake Saturday morning as XTERRA Beaver Creek competitors.

The sprint (750-meter swim, 14-kilometer bike, 5-kilometer run) begins at 8 a.m. while the full-distance (750-meter swim, 24-kilometer bike, 9-kilometer run) and full-distance team relay start at 9 a.m. The motivations and aspirations for each individual battling “the Beast at Beaver Creek” are as varied as their ages and abilities.

Luke Herron was inspired to organize an XTERRA “North American tour” with his friend after reading a Vail Daily story on local trail runner Nicholas Fickling this spring. The 72-year-old’s plea — “I hope you get the message that it’s important that we do these things because we enjoy them, not because we are trying to prove something or be something” — convinced Herron to travel to Fajardo, Puerto Rico and Oak Mountain Alabama before his home race.

“We absolutely love these races and the places it brings us to,” Herron stated. “We have met so many different people who are into off-road triathlon or mountain biking and trail running.”

Herron is convinced that the valley lifestyle “prepares you for these types of races,” but, being new to triathlon, he said his training is still a work in progress.

“The goal for Saturday is crossing the finish line knowing I put everything I have into the race,” he said.

Paul Stedman is also relatively new to XTERRA. He qualified and competed at the world championships in Molveno, Italy last year — his first year of mountain biking — thanks to a second-place age group finish at Beaver Creek.

“My triathlon background is Ironman events,” he said. “Though, with Josiah Middaugh as my coach and an amazing crew of Vail Valley athletes, it presented a great opportunity to take my triathlon journey off-road and to get into XTERRA. It is also a great way to mix up the variety of training.”

Stedman used the town series mountain bike races to hone his handling skills and race acumen. “Hopefully this will pay off,” he stated, adding that his goal is to “make it down Corkscrew upright, have my best race possible, have fun and enjoy this amazing experience.”

Speaking of the course, few athletes understand how the Beaver Creek trails dictate strategy like Henry Reed. The 52-year-old is making his 11th start.


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“This race is ‘full throttle from the gun,'” said Reed, who has six age-group wins and was a runner-up at the 2021 World Championships in Maui. “It’s about trusting your training, pushing yourself to the limit — and perhaps beyond — and seeing how you perform.”

With 15 starts apiece, Amber Moran, 50 and Dawes Wilson, 70, are the only athletes with more local starts under their belts. Wilson won the 60-64 age group national title when he turned 60 and did the same thing for the 65-69 age group when he turned 65.

“I’m back, having turned 70,” he stated, adding that he took the intervening five years off from running “with the hope of being able to walk with all my original joints at age 80.” He recovered from three surgeries (both eyes, one foot) this spring and has been trying to run, ride and swim as much as possible without getting injured.

“My preparation for this event could only loosely be called training,” he continued. “At my age, just getting to the start line will be a victory.”

Dylan Friday, a top-20 overall finisher last year, coaxed his neighbor, Evan Disser, 45, into this year’s event.

“We have a friendly wager on which of us will have the faster swim time, and whoever wins gets all of the crops from the other’s garden for the rest of the summer,” Friday said. The 29-year-old is hoping to improve his bike split, as an early-summer ankle injury forced him to replace his soccer training with cycling.

“I am curious to find out how this impacted my overall race readiness when running is typically my favorite leg.”

James Kirschner earned his elite license at Oak Mountain earlier this summer and made a satisfying first pro start in Quebec, Canada, finishing seventh.

“My goal for Saturday is to just display 100% of what I am capable of right now,” he said. The full-time Eagle Valley social studies teacher balances a second job working bike valet at Lionshead every Saturday with 12-15-hour training weeks.

“This is my second year putting in such volume and given the small gains race-to-race, the hard work is starting to pay off,” he continued. Kirschner plans on leaning into his altitude training, specifically late in the run portion.

“This will be my second-biggest XTERRA race of my life aside from the 2020 World Championships in Hawaii. I am both excited and nervous to see how things shake out.”

Jennifer Razee, 49, was the 2019 age group world champion, and as she approaches 50, her theme is “Smarter, not harder.”

Area athletes competing in the XTERRA Beaver Creek sprint race

Deb Yenerich, 55, Eagle

Jason Weisberger, 50, Eagle

Dan Nielsen, 61, Eagle

Amber Moran, 50, Edwards

Ryan Maclachlan, 39, Edwards

Garrett Maclachlan, 35, Edwards

Drew Maclachlan, 34, Edwards

Henry Reynolds, 16 Edwards

Matt Marshall, 50, Gypsum

Jordan Shomaker, 31, Gypsum

Kyle Walker, 52, Gypsum

Greg Snellings, 55, Vail

Kaitlyn Musick, 29, Vail

“It’s tough to be faster at (that age) but I can race, train and recover smarter,” she explained. “I think years of racing endurance sports layers on grit, a deep base of mental fortitude to the finish line and the ability to be grateful for moments of challenge.”

Razee hopes to once again be in the mix with the top amateur women and has been “sharpening the stick” with some shorter town series races after a second-straight podium finish at the Emerald Epic Queen of the Boat competition.

Another former age-group world champion (2021), Mike Dorr, 47 is hungry for redemption on a national level in his ninth Beaver Creek appearance.

“I bonked on the run last year and just came up short,” the Avon athlete stated. In 2019, Dorr won by over 10 minutes in what he considers his best race.

“Training has been good but also work has been busy,” he said. “But, feeling pretty good.”

Area athletes in the XTERRA Beaver Creek full-distance event

James Kirschner, 32, Avon

Paul Stedman, 61, Avon

Carlos Castro, 28, Avon

Michael Dorr, 47, Avon

Chad Carpenter, 39, Avon

David Houser, 60, Eagle

Henry Reed, 52, Edwards

Joe Mahan, 37, Edwards

Dylan Friday, 29, Edwards

Luke Herron, 26, Edwards

Evan Disser, 45, Edwards

Elisabeth Reed, 43, Edwards

Naomi Harding, 22, Edwards

Davis Krueger, 21 Edwards

Jennifer Razee, 49, Edwards

Anthony Martinez, 33, Gypsum

Sullivan Middaugh, 19, Vail

Keith Kennedy, 53 Vail

Dawes Wilson, 70, Vail

Full-distance relay event

Robert Shearon, 34, Avon

Jason Russell, 51, Edwards

Alexis Komar, 33, Edwards

 

The valley will be represented in the full-distance team relay event by Robert Shearon, Jason Russell and Alexis Komar.

Shearon and Russell have taken on similar adventures the past few years and did the team race in 2022 and asked Komar — who competed in the solo category two years ago — to join in 2023.

“I love only having to focus on one discipline rather than three,” Russell said. “I have mad respect of the athletes competing solo.”

“I think we are all here to have fun, try our hardest and be safe,” said Russell, the owner of Cairn Construction Group in Edwards. “The journey to get to the start line is where the magic is for me — I love the working out/ training aspect of daily life.”  

XTERRA Beaver Creek elite start list

Women

(World Cup position – world rank – name, nationality)

6 – 17 – Suzie Snyder, USA

16 – 6 – Samantha Kingsford, NZL

17 – 33 – Carolyne Guay, CAN

18 – 41 – Maria Doring, GER

19 – 31 – Lorena Erl, GER

20 – NR – Lisa Becharas, USA

25 – 32 – Katie Button, CAN

29 – 60 – Katja Krenn, AUT

31 – NR –  Aneta Grabmüllerr AUT

35 – 77 – Irena Ossola, USA

40 – 69 – Rea Kolbl, USA

NR – 55 – Amanda Presgraves, USA

NR – NR – Kate Rye, USA

NR – NR – Brittany Schroeder, USA

Men

6 – 4 – Ruben Ruzafa, ESP

8 – 5 – Sébastien Carabin, BEL

9 – 13 – Kieran McPherson, NZL

14 – 17 – Sullivan Middaugh, USA

16 – 18 – Sebastien Neef, GER

19 – 10 – Sam Osborne, NZL

21 – 32 – Tom Fisher, AUS

27 – 19 – Francisco Serrano, MEX

29 – 27 – Edmond Roy, CAN

31 – 50 – Keller Norland, USA

37 – 86 – Sam Teller, USA

38 – 81 – Branden Rakita, USA

44 – 284 – Brian Summers, USA

45 – 204 – John Wiygul, USA

NR – 28 – Brian Smith, USA

NR – 138 – James Kirschner, USA

NR – NR – Valentino Agnelli, ARG

NR – NR – Timothy O’Donnell, USA

Reed said the tightly-knit XTERRA community shares considerable camaraderie in training all year for Saturday, which he called “a celebration of all of our efforts.”

“We’re blessed to have world class trails on which to run and bike in one of the most beautiful settings in the world,” he said. “Racing alongside other like-minded athletes, including many local triathlete friends, makes it extra enjoyable.”

Razee concurred, adding that most of the master’s swim group from the Athletic Club at the Westin are racing Saturday.

“There’s a special bond with those who get in an outdoor pool, year-round in Colorado — before sunrise,” she stated.

Every athlete is eager to be at home, but for different reasons. Dorr appreciates sleeping in his own bed and having familiar faces cheering him on and working aid stations. Herron said the best part about racing in his backyard is the personal history behind every trail.

“Each reminds me of a past experience or creates a new experience,” he said.

“It’s a comfortable feeling racing something you are familiar with and being reminded of the progress you have made on that particular trail or area.”

Vail Recreation District’s Mighty Marmot kids trail races begin Sept. 15 in Minturn

The first event of the Vail Recreation District’s Mighty Marmot Kids Trail Races is Friday, Sept. 15. Kids ages 5 to 10 are welcome to participate in this exciting three-race series, beginning at Little Beach Park in Minturn. Each race begins at 4 p.m. Participants have the option of choosing between a 1-mile or 2-mile course.

Race schedule

Friday, Sept. 15 – Little Beach Park, Minturn

Friday, Sept. 29 – Miller Ranch Open Space, Edwards

Friday, Oct. 20 – Maloit Park, Minturn

Register early and save

Visit www.vailrec.com/register and save on individual races by registering prior to race week. Participants do not need to be registered for the series to participate in individual races. The cost is $15 pre-registered and $20 day-of.

Race details are available at www.vailrec.com. For more information, call the VRD Sports Department at 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com.

Awards

Races will be timed, with the top three racers in each age group (boys and girls 5-6, 7-8, 9-10) receiving recognition. After each race, there will be an award ceremony and a raffle filled with fun prizes. Participants can also enjoy food and refreshments.

Sponsors

The Vail Recreation District is looking for new sponsors for the Mighty Marmot Kids Trail Races. Interested parties should call 970-479-2280 or email sports@vailrec.com.

Eagle Ranch Golf Club hosts annual junior club championship

The Eagle Ranch Golf Club hosted its annual junior club championship on Aug. 1, highlighting the focus, determination and competitive spirit of the region’s young golfers.

“Our junior club championship is a great way to cap off a full summer season of golf activity for youth at Eagle Ranch,” stated Jeff Boyer, Eagle Ranch Golf Club general manager.

 “We are so fortunate to be located where we are and have such an active group of kids who flock to the course every year.”

Jonathan Boyer (left) was third in the 15-18-year-old division as Gunther Soltvedt shot a 67 to take the win. Fellow Eagle Valley Devils Nolan Kim (right) also competed at the Eagle Ranch Golf Club junior championships on Aug. 1.
Erin Kadrmas/Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Boyer said the club works hard to offer learning and playing opportunities for kids of all ages. The individual stroke play tournament featured boys and girls divisions within the 6 to 8, 9 to 11, 12 to 14 and 15 to 18-year-old age groups. The youngest group played five holes from the 150-yard post, with the 9 to 11-year-olds and 12 to 14-year-olds teeing off from the junior, red and silver tees, respectively. The oldest group played 18 holes, with boys going from the blue tees and girls hitting from the red tees.

“Golf is such an awesome sport and nothing makes me happier than seeing kids falling in love with the game,” Boyer said.

A young athlete lines up an approach shot during the annual junior club championship at Eagle Ranch on Aug. 1.
Erin Kadrmas/Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Results

Girls 6-8 years (5 Holes from 150-yard post)

First place: Mackenzie Brown – 33

Girls 9-11 years (9 Holes from junior tees)

First place: Avery Bozich – 70

Second place: Avery Doane – 71
Girls 12-14 years (9 Holes from silver tees)

First place: Tatum Jaffe – 48 (won playoff)             

Second place: Claire Walker – 48
Boys 6-8 years (5 Holes from 150-yard post)

First place: Cason Pitman – 24

Second place: James Palmer – 29

Third place: Cedar Williamson – 33
Boys 9-11 years (9 Holes from junior tees)

First place: Carter Glasser – 49

Second place: Charlie Wilson – 51

Third place: Nolan Reseigh – 53
Boys 12-14 years (9 Holes from red tees)

First place: Cooper Kirkman  44

Second place (tie) Erick Soltvedt (won playoff) – 49; Hunter Uzdavinis – 49; Cash Walker – 49

Boys 15-17 years (18 Holes from blue tees)

First place: Gunther Soltvedt – 67

Second place: Andrew Alegi – 76

Third place: Jonathan Boyer – 80

Golfers enjoy pristine fairways and beautiful weather during the annual junior club championships on Aug. 1 at Eagle Ranch Golf Club.
Erin Kadrmas/Eagle Ranch Golf Club

Olympic medalist Gracie Gold and the Road to Gold ice skating camp returns to Vail

Road to Gold, featuring two-time U.S. champion Gracie Gold, is back in Vail for a five-day ice skating camp. The youth camp, tailored toward beginners through developing skaters testing out doubles and triples, began on Wednesday and goes through Friday; adult sessions are Saturday and Sunday.

Amy Fankhauser, founder and owner of Road to Gold and a private coach in Kansas City, said numbers are up in their second Vail visit.

“I think word of mouth got around and we have so many more people,” she said on Wednesday. “I run into people all the time who say, ‘I can’t do it this year but are you doing it next year.’ So, it’s one of those things that I think is going to grow.”

The Vail Daily reported about 80 athletes being served by the professional team of coaches last year. This year, over 100, representing 20 states and multiple countries, will be in town. Fankhauser — who ran her first camp in 2018 after a mutual friend of her and Gold’s wanted to bring the star to a Kansas City rink — never believed Road to Gold would grow like it has.

“I honestly just fortunately fell into it and I love what I do, but I never ever in my wildest dreams intended that this would be what I do with my life,” Fankhauser said. A year after that first camp, the mutual friend passed away, but the apotheosis of Road to Gold — bridging between developing skaters and the ultra-elite through intimate, collaborative experiences with top-notch coaches — was forged as other camps started inquiring about recreating the camp at their home rinks.

“The skaters and coaches Gracie knows have heard about us and want to be a part of this and so, our team has just sort of grown organically,” Fankhauser stated.

Gold is known for winning a team competition bronze medal and placing fourth individually at the 2014 Olympics. At the 2016 World Championships, she recorded the highest short program score ever by an American woman, the same year she won her second U.S. national title.

Her 2017 and 2018 seasons, however, were marked by struggles with anxiety, depression and an eating disorder, and she failed to make the PyeongChang Olympic squad. Her 2022 comeback attempt included an emotional short program performance at U.S. nationals, though it ultimately was not enough to qualify for the Beijing Olympic team.

Watching attendees treasure Gold’s transparency and genuine friendliness as she shares insights on battling through adversity and navigating the sport’s hyper-competitive environment is one of Frankhauser’s chief joys.


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“Honestly the excitement you see in the skaters faces, especially when they see Gracie for the first time and they’re like, ‘oh my gosh, that’s Gracie Gold, I see her on TV,’ — it’s amazing,” she said. “And then, she’s so personable and warm and open with them. They feel like they really get to know her.”

Fankhauser said Gold, who is still competing, has plans to publish a memoir this winter. She’s excited to see how the 27-year-old weaves her personal, but universal, mental health takeaways into a narrative filled with some pretty serious athletic achievements. Fankhauser believes it will “be more than just a book about a figure skater.”

“Their goal is to not just write a book that figure skaters are going to buy because they love Gracie, but that other people might be interested in reading about (as well),” she said.

Fankhauser has also been busy with new projects herself. Road to Gold recently launched a new non-profit organization, Road to Gold Gives Back, aimed at empowering and supporting figure skaters in underserved communities. The idea has been on Fankhauser’s mind for a couple years.

“Skating is not cheap,” she said. “There are a lot of clubs and skaters that I talk to who want to give an opportunity like this (Road to Gold) to their skaters.”

Road to Gold offers camps to club anywhere, but many can’t afford to cover the costs of ice time and travel. Inspired by a Washington, D.C.-area club that formed for the sole purpose of helping underserved communities otherwise unable to access such opportunities, Fankhauser began scheming ways to bring her camps to smaller skating markets.

“I wanted to be able to help clubs like that,” she said.

Cream of the crop coaching

Road to Gold partnered with the Vail Skating Festival to create an unforgettable training experience in Vail last July. This summer, they brought back their internationally known coaches and athletes to provide five days of instruction to youth and adults alike.
Sam Atagana Photography/Courtesy photo

In addition to Gold, 2005 ISU junior grand prix final bronze medalist and established national and international competitor Geoffry Varner will make his way to the valley, as will Olympic choreographer Drew Meekins. Fan favorite James Hernandez, a three-time British junior national champion and two-time junior worlds competitor, is returning to coach in Vail, too.

“His energy, his attitude, his personality — everyone fell in love with him.”

Eddie Shipstead, who met Fankhauser when both were young athletes training and competing in Colorado Springs, will also bring his instructional expertise to Vail, where he hosts the Vail Skating Festival each winter. The Festival’s Ice Spectacular event on Dec. 22 and 23 at Dobson Arena will once again feature Olympic champion Nathan Chen.

With the Road to Gold season winding down to allow Gold more energy for focusing directly on her training and competition schedule, the camp will travel to Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Aug. 5 and Exton, Pennsylvania, at the end of November. Vail — for obvious reasons — always sticks out as a unique destination. Fankhauser cherishes the daily commute along the mountain stream from her condo to Dobson Ice Arena.

“We don’t get to do that very often,” she said.

“Just the whole atmosphere of Vail — it’s so family friendly and there’s so much for everyone to do. I think we kind of plan this more as a family vacation with some skating thrown in,” she continued.

“I feel so fortunate that I get to do what I do. So, anytime we can as a team bring this to skaters anywhere, I just feel very grateful.” 

The old boys and the good old days of fierce Aspen-Vail rugby rivalry

At last Saturday’s rivalry matchup between the Gentlemen of Aspen and the Vail Rugby Club, the latter’s legends shared stories from the scrums of the 70s and 80s, standing on the Vail Athletic Field sod they laid over 50 years ago.

The old boys and the good old days.

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“Tell them how this thing all started,” Chris Chantler club president, said as he nudged your humble correspondent into a circle of Vail Rugby forefathers warmly grouped along the sideline. I clicked ‘record’ on my phone.

Let’s hear the hits.

“Charlie’s the guy that started the team,” Steve Thissen began, turning to Charlie Penwill.

“Not really,” a humble, accented voice quietly replied.

“You and Brownie and Jerry and me was the first meeting,” Ed Johnson piped in. “At Alfie Packers.” Penwill’s eyes lit up.

“Yes…you got a good memory,” he said. “What were we drinking?” he asked Johnson.

“I don’t remember that. The part I remember — I met Buck Allen one night, actually it was St. Patrick’s Day of 1973 at Donovan’s,” Johnson continued.

“And he had a rugby jersey on. And so we started talking rugby and I asked, ‘well, is there a team here?’ He said, no, but Brownie is trying to start one.”

Apparently, the year the club started is a humorous point of contention.

“I started playing in grad school in 70, and I came to Vail in 71,” Jerry Stevens recalled. “And we started the club in 72, right?”

“It was really 73, but the t-shirts say 72,” stated Johnson, most confident in his chronicling.

“I think it was 72,” argued Tom Harding. “I started in 73.”

“Too late to change,” Penwill sighed as the game’s action nears the sideline, causing a brief break in the storytelling. Then, Thissen keeps the narrative going with the perfectly placed joke.

“If you remember the 70s, you weren’t there,” he said, instigating a chorus of empathetic laughs.

According to the July 13, 1973 issue of the Vail Trail, Johnson is correct. The story announces a team launch, with Penwill listed as coach and Johnson as treasurer. The Clubhouse: Alfie Packer’s Wild Mountain Inn at Lionshead.

“Regular play will produce a degree of fitness in the participant, unsurpassed by any other team sport in the world,” the press release stated.

“Films of great games are shown on a regular basis, and coaching and training offered to new and experience players alike.”

A photo from the first Vail Rugby Club game, published in the July 20, 1973 issue of the Vail Trail.
Vail Trail archive

“We bought a film of a famous game and we’d go down to Patty O’Days,” Penwill recollected of teaching the game to newbies.

“I’d play the movie and I’d say, ‘oh this is how you do it boys. Now, let’s go through it again.’ Then we’d play it again.”

He finishes his story with a jab to the rivals, whom he never could beat during his playing days, whispering, “Then we rented the film to Aspen, who broke it and spliced it together backwards.”

Then, Penwill turned to Thissen, perfectly content taking the butt of a joke or two.

“Thissen will give you the story of his first game.”

“First game I ever played in was the first game I ever saw,” Thissen said. “That’s a fact; I’d never seen a rugby game. I’m from Kansas.”

On July 20, the club’s late rally against Denver Highlander XV resulted in a 14-12 in its first game.

“The party that followed the game was one to be remembered,” the Vail Trail story stated. “Our thanks to Alfie Packer’s for their generosity and tolerance.”

According to Johnson, Penwill, Bill Brown and himself were the only players with experience.

“It was all skiers and bar guys — football players and basketball players that we picked up,” he recalled of the first season at Maloit Park. After one game against Steamboat, the post-game beer keg ended up in the back of Johnson’s jeep.

“And we were driving up to the patio of Alfie Packers and a guy from Steamboat Springs pulled up beside my jeep on his motorcycle and passed his glass over to get filled up,” he regaled.

“Got his beer filled up and took off back down the highway.”

Then there was the time Vail played Queen City Rugby Club at halftime of the Broncos-Jets preseason game on Aug. 3, 1974.

“The football game was rather boring as it was during a players strike,” Thissen remembered. “I can remember Bronco players saying we were crazy for not wearing helmets. The fans loved the fast paced action of a rugby game.”

As the second half began, the current Gentlemen of Aspen and Vail Rugby Club players switched directions. Thissen failed to notice.

“Charlie why are we going the same way? I thought we….” he asked before a comrade corrected him.

“You used to do that….you used to line up the wrong way,” Penwill replied with a dry tone which elicited more laughs. “That’s the only time you scored.”

As the focus shifts back to the field, the opportunity emerges to inquire opinions on the present action.

“These guys are good,” Johnson admitted.

“Very different from what we were playing,” Penwill added. “A lot more experience around here.”

During the 70s, Vail struggled against Aspen, who was led by the dynamic superstar, Jim Spann. The former CU football player and semi-professional baseball outfielder was lured onto the rugby practice field next door to the gridiron from a few friends during his CU days. As sharp as ever 50 years later, he sat in bleacher’s front row at last Saturday’s game, notebook and pen at the ready — scouting report memorized.

“One, two, three, four, five, six,” he counted, disgusted by a particular arrangement of players on the field before giving a spirited coaching effort.

“Get it out! Quick!” he yelled. “That’s what we got to do all day. Way to go.”

“We’re missing the key players,” he continued without making eye contact, remaining focused on the field instead.
“The scrum half, the fly-half — the most important players — missing those two and another second row guy. So, we’re not as strong as we should be, but no excuses. We’re still not playing in position.”

Spann’s era was 1972-1982. During those days, the Gentlemen owned the rivalry.

“We never lost during my time,” he said with a smile. A younger teammate, David Guthrie, sitting in the shade two rows back, described Spann as a “quiet monster.” The hand-eye coordination from baseball — his dad managed a semi-pro team in Connecticut that once rostered Bobby Bonds — combined with his fluid power and pure speed made transitioning from football to rugby a “natural progression.”

“It was easy enough,” Spann smiled. “It’s much more like basketball or hockey as far as movements and control of the ball versus football. It’s continuous, continuous.”

The Basalt resident still attends Ruggerfest games and keeps tabs on his team.

“Big Ben, our coach — he plays for the U.S. team,” he said as both teams huddle after the final whistle. “He should be in Europe but he’s injured his back…he’s played for the Seawolves the last six months. He’s helping Cameron coach.”

Back on the Vail side, a few more stories get tossed back and forth. Hilarious and plentiful — they outlast this reporter’s cell phone battery life. It’s probably better to leave off the direct quotes about a particular east-coast trip, the one with a beer keg stationed in the bus’ middle aisle. No one needs to know about the teammate who nearly lit a stack of cardboard boxes in the back of a random truck bed on fire, shouting, “I need to smoke signal the score back to my mom in New Mexico!”

Aspen would steal a heartbreaker on enemy soil, charging back late for a 33-31 victory. On July 29, Vail will seek revenge in the Roaring Fork in the second of three summer matches. The score is serious, but it’s not the only element to the tradition.

“I don’t think we had a lot of fights going on,” Guthrie recalled of the rivalry during his day. “We skied, we drank, we played rugby.”

Both teams share a beer or two afterwards, regardless of the physicality, calls on the field or final score.

“You have to!” Guthrie exclaimed with a laugh.

A photo from the June 27, 1975 Vail Trail shows the Gentlemen of Aspen competing against the Vail Rugby Club at Maloit Park in 1975.
Vail Trail Archives