After a year of great expectations and harsh realities, Pomona's Boys Cross Country team is returning to the state championship next week. The meet will be a howling good time on Halloween at Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins. Pomona started the year with a core of seniors; added a some strong juniors; found a couple outstanding freshman; and pushed them all to better times with a cadre of solid runners competing for a spot on the team. This mixed turned in some good early performances, winning several meets. As the season wore on, injuries and personal struggles left the team looking very different. Through the adversity runners stepped forward to help Pomona to a second place league finish and a fourth place region finish that gives them a spot at state.

At regionals on Thursday, October 22nd; Pomona was led by its All Conference seniors - Adam Sinda, Ian Harkreader, and Logan Shefelbine. Freshman, Thomas Vavrik, had one of his best performances to be the fourth Pomona runner. Sophomore, Dylan Hayes, stepped up to put the final peg in Pomona's state bid with a personal best and his first sub-18 minute race. Inspired by Dylan's performance and wanting to put their names on the varsity roster, Pomona's beta panthers took off in the open race. Michael Rainey and first year runner, Chris Kartchner, led Pomona's boys to some of their best times this season. Joining Dylan with a PR (personal record) were: Chris Kartchner, Nathan Mueller, Eric Perez, Thaddeus Winsor, Devin Arkfeld, Cory Leverton, and Jordan Gallegos.

Another spark came from the Lady Panthers as Sophomore Kendra Godsey led the team for the first time this year. Kendra's performance was her best of the year and a personal record.

Pomona hosted the regionals and would like to thank all the parent volunteers, timing people, and course officials who made the event possible.