The Tour De Mountaineer – Day 6 

The Colton Point Time Trial 

Three years. That is how long it has been to the day since the last time the Mountaineers completed the Tour De Mountaineer on the slopes of Colton Point. It seems like an eternity, as distant a memory as the first running of Colton Point in 2004. Eighteen years is a long time to do anything and the evolution of this tradition that started as a "this might be cool idea" to an event that it is looked forward to and holds a place of honor is remarkable. It even survived the pandemic with a solo run by a few athletes on their own in 2020 and then in 2021 with a special November edition. 

The memories of those first runs up Colton Point are dim now. They involved 5 time all American Chris Cummings and All American Charity Learn. The two Mansfield natives relished in the difficult climbs and the challenge. Over the years many All Americans, All Region and All Conference athletes started their campaigns on that run. The all-time list is literally the who's who of Mansfield Cross Country and distance running. 

This year saw a close battle for the coveted Maillot Jaune as Christian Tanner needed a win and a personal best to overcome the 6 point lead held by Derrick Simpson. For the women Carly Daniels would also need a win and a personal best but she would also need the current leader Bailey Morgan to fold just a bit. With the other categories already decided the focus was on the overall lead and test the team's determination. 

Tanner took the lead early on the lower inclines and gapped the freshman Simpson by 20 seconds in the first kilometer. He was followed closely by Seth Neal and Abraham Calderon. Back further Isaac and Owen Showers and Simon Richards were joined by David Wootten. As the men streamed by the 1 kilometer mark the women joined them. Morgan and Daniels were out quick followed by Anna Duncan and Angelina Colon who were joined for the first time by Carrie Claypool. Freshman Anissa Lytle would experience the 745 foot climb for the first time. 

As the grade increased so did the intensity and over the next 5 kilometers Tanner would extend that lead over Simpson. Meanwhile Wootten continued to steadily move up joining first Calderon and eventually Neal. Daniels and Morgan continued to run together but there was about the way Daniels looked and it was clear there would be no quarter given. Duncan, Claypool and Colon continued to hammer up the slope as a group, showing a glimpse of the potential team work in the future. 

Over the last kilometer it was clear Tanner would win the day, well on his way to a personal best and reclaiming the yellow jersey leaving Simpson as the best freshman. Daniels would prevail cracking the top 10 with a time of 26:15 the first athlete in 8 years to crack the top 10 and a PR by 4 minutes. Morgan never folded, running a 3 minute PR herself and breaking into the top 20 all time. Simpson would finish 2nd followed by Wootten then Neal. For the women it was Colon who broke away from the group to finish 3rd with Claypool and Duncan Close behind.
 

Tour de Mountaineer Results 

Men: Tanner Yellow, Simpson Best Freshman, Neal Climbing, Calderon Sprints, Wootten Conditioning 

Women: Morgan Yellow, Lytle Bet Freshman, Daniels Climbing, Colon Sprints, Duncan Conditioning 

Colton Point time Trial Results:

Men 

Christian Tanner 26:14 

Derek Simpson 27:58 

David Wootten 29:00 

Seth Neal 29:37 

Abraham Calderon 29:44 

Owen Showers 29:58 

Isaac Showers 31:42 

Simon Richards 35:26 
 

Women 

Carly Daniels 26:14 

Bailey Morgan 26:54

Angie Colon 29:22 

Carrie Claypool 29:40 

Anna Duncan 29:55 

Anissa Lytle 40:34