Littleton — By the end of the day at an event already full of patriotic spirit by its very name, the athletes of Moffat County High School were the epitome of the nation’s colors, with their blue and white uniforms topped by faces reddened with the exertion that came from a race well run.

Bulldog pride rang loud and clear at the Liberty Bell Invitational hosted by Heritage High School in Littleton, where MCHS was among 89 total schools within and outside Colorado.

Senior Emily Womble walked away from the meet with a medal as the top Bulldog in the Division 4 rankings, placed ninth out of 160. Her time of 20 minutes 46 seconds was about 20 seconds more than her all-time best, achieved at the same event last season, though she moved up in the rankings.

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The size of the field of runners was intimidating, said MCHS freshman Madysen Cramer and Hayden freshman Makenna Knez.

“It wasn’t as hard at the start as I thought,” Knez said, noting she expected to be jostled by competitors, which did happen to the pair midway through as another runner practically hip-checked them both while passing.

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All MCHS ran varsity, with the girls placing fourth and the boys picking up a trophy as the third place school.

Riley Allen took 16th at 18:03, with Connor Scranton, Brandon Beason and Hayden’s Chris Carrouth all finishing within the following minute, the close pack mentality adding to their strong group performance.

With the Liberty Bell scheduled for Sept. 11, the stars and stripes and other displays of American imagery were widespread, with the Moffat County girls painting their calves with the words, “Never forget.”

The sights were inspiring, said Beason.

“It’s really cool to be able to honor those people like this,” he said.

Coach Todd Trapp also enjoyed the extra spirit of the meet, one already a memorable part of the Bulldogs’ season.

“It’s always great to come here, see this level of competition and get out a bit, it was a good day,” he said.

Next up for his runners is the Eagle Valley Invite in Gypsum, which will be packed with Western Slope schools. Though smaller, it will no doubt provide a challenge.

“I think it’s going to be as competitive as today, maybe more,” Trapp said.

Moffat County High School cross country

Runner — Time, Place

Girls varsity

Emily Womble — 20:46, 9

Allie Dilldine — 21:13, 13

Ary Shaffer — 21:17, 15

Madysen Cramer — 22:26, 33

Makenna Knez — 22:44, 41

Sadea Reidhead — 26:00, 88

Brianna Burkett — 27:15, 112

— The team placed fourth overall.

Boys varsity

Riley Allen — 18:03, 16

Connor Scranton — 18:16, 20

Brandon Beason — 18:24, 24

Chris Carrouth — 18:35, 29

Steven Walls — 19:10, 49

Isiac Roop — 19:40, 61

Carter Severson — 20:07, 74

Isaac Chacon — 20:38, 85

Tyler Driggs — 22:19, 124

Nick Pugh — 22:41, 132

— The team placed third overall.

Contact Andy Bockelman at 970-875-1793 or abockelman@CraigDailyPress.com or follow him on Twitter @CDP_Sports.