Four days ago, Tabor Scholl, a freshman sho runs for Middle Park High School, finished in first place with a time of 18:37.62, winning the Class 3A girls state championship at the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds.

“I was happy about my race,” she says.

Prior to the start she mentally envisioned the 5K course.

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“I had to remember to not go out too hard. I kept in mind the 800 meter hill in the first mile and that I would have to run it again in the last mile,” she said.

Scholl took the lead in the first mile and put time on the second place girls, her plan for every race.

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“The girls from Classical Academy were closing the gap and it was windy. They were only 10 seconds behind me,” she said. “I only looked behind me once and tried to just worry about my own race.”

The freshman finished with the second fastest time of the day across all classes in the state.

As she tapered her training during the days leading up to the race, Scholl cut down on intensity and reduced sprint workouts. Her pre-race dinner was steak salad and chocolate chip cookies. The steak was from a cow on their family ranch in Kremmling; perhaps her secret to winning.

Scholl’s next race is Nov. 19 in Gilbert, Ariz., for the Nike Cross Country Regionals. If she finishes in the top 5, she will be invited to the nationals in Portland, Ore.