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SPORTS DECEMBER 25, 2013 | 73

RUNNING WITH THE BUFFALOES

Continued from back page
ZACH PERRIN ASSUMED

HE WOULDN’T RACE A

LOT THIS FALL.

As a freshman on one of the nation’s premier cross
country teams, the former all-state runner from the
Flathead Valley was surrounded by All-American tal-
ent at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
For the irst time in his life the Flathead High

School graduate wasn’t the fastest on his team.
But like he did all throughout high school, Per-
rin caught up pretty fast and in only a matter of four
months was running with the best.
In late November, Perrin joined the Bufaloes at the
NCAA national championship event at Terra Haute,
Ind. The No. 3 ranked University of Colorado men’s
cross country team claimed the title by 20 points over

No. 1 ranked Northern Arizona. It marked the fourth
team title for the Bufs since 2001 and the irst since
2006. Through cold, windy and muddy conditions, Per-
rin inished sixth on his team and 107th overall, clock-
ing 31 minutes, 23 seconds in the 10-kilometer race.
Although he didn’t score points, Perrin was only ive
seconds behind Colorado’s ifth runner, and only 30
seconds shy of All-American status.

“I didn’t really picture myself running this year,”
Perrin said recently in a sit-down interview with the
Beacon in Boulder. “But still, my goal going into sum-
mer was I really wanted to make the team and make an
impact. I knew this was a really good team and I didn’t
know if I could do that, but in the back of my mind, I
wanted to run this year and put myself in a position so I

could get the opportunity to do that.”
Perrin graduated last spring with one of the best
long-distance pedigrees in state history. In four years
of racing at Flathead, he won four individual state titles
in track and cross country and ran the fastest 1,600 and
3,200 times on record.
But at Colorado, none of his high school accolades
mattered anymore. Perrin had to earn his place among

the best. In the early fall, roughly 15 runners were vy-
ing for the top seven spots in Boulder, and as the season
progressed, the number dropped. Not Perrin. The ex-
perience pushed him harder than ever before.
“It’s weird being in an environment where you’re
getting your butt kicked a lot,” he said. “It’s deinitely
humbling, but I progressed a ton this year. I can just tell

I’m deinitely a lot better than I ever have been. So I’m
just hoping to keep progressing.”
Assistant coach Billy Nelson, a former Colorado
All-American and Olympian runner, was heavily in-
volved in recruiting Perrin and was impressed right
away by the Lakeside runner on and of the racecourse.
TOP: University of Colorado freshman Zach Perrin, a former Flathead High School state champion distance runner, is pictured at
“He really knew what he wanted out of a program Chautauqua Park in Boulder, Colo. The CU Bufalos recently won the NCAA cross country championship.
and how he wanted to be challenged,” Nelson said. “He GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
BOTTOM: Perrin (foreground) is a true freshman running for the University of Colorado. The former Flathead High standout was the sixth
wanted to go to a place where he would learn and grow. runner on the Bufalo’s national championship team.
That really sticks out as far as runners are concerned. PROMOTION LTD PHOTO | COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
He’s really goal driven.”
In the inal weeks of the season, Colorado’s legend- up to me and told me to put on the jersey this year. I was to living in a dorm and being an out-of-town kid in a
ary distance coach Mark Wetmore approached Perrin. super excited. It was deinitely shocking.”
massive college town. He’s certainly had a unique col-
Wetmore is known for building one of the nation’s best Perrin is now a veteran member of an elite team of lege experience compared to most 18-year-olds. For in-
long-distance programs over his 22-year career and is runners who are all returning next year and the pre- stance, Perrin and his championship teammates were
the only NCAA Division I coach to win four national sumptive favorites to battle for another championship.
honored at halftime of the Colorado basketball game
“I ran for Colorado from 2002 to 2008. I was on a
titles at the same school. He has tutored 53 individu- against Kansas. In the spring, the boys are also slated
al conference champions and 11 individuals who have national championship team,” Nelson said. “I can safe- for a possible trip to Washington D.C. to be recognized
combined for 18 NCAA titles. Overall he has coached 78 ly say this team is probably better than any team I’ve at the White House.
individuals to 228 All-American selections.
ever seen. That tells you a lot. Even back to the late ‘90s. “It’s funny how fast time goes by. Four months ago
When he approached Perrin, the bright-eyed fresh- This team is probably more talented and deinitely I was in the Flathead Valley hanging out and getting
man from Montana didn’t know what to expect.
more deep and it could be the best team that (Colorado) ready for college. And now, well, it’s weird. A lot has
“I hadn’t been here that long and it was kind of has ever had.”
happened since then,” he said, smiling. “It makes you
Not surprisingly, the irst months of college have grow up fast.”
nerve-wracking knowing you’re racing against some of
the older guys,” Perrin said. “Coach (Wetmore) came
been a whirlwind for Perrin, who is still getting used
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