(This article is dedicated to Lisa Thomas, national runner-up in the steeplechase for Western State in 2009. Rest in peace, Lisa.)

All photos courtesy Adam Sinda

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Deep within the Rocky Mountains, nestled in the heart of The Gunnison Country, sits a small school with a huge distance running program.

Western State College, located in Gunnison, Colorado, sits at 7,723 feet above sea-level in the mountains of southwestern Colorado. Western boasts the highest-elevation track in the world, giving the Mountaineers the distinctive edge of training at an intense altitude. What makes Gunnison an ideal training environment is its location within a high-desert valley, affording athletes the opportunity to train on a multitude of surfaces, from flat dirt roads and trails to intense, alpine hill-climbs (pictured).



"The Big Red Machine", coined by legendary coach Duane Vandenbusche, has produced as many All-Americans, National Champions and Olympians to rival just about any other program in the country, regardless of division. From 13:22 and 28:00 Olympian Michael Aish to 15:42 American great (and 2-time Olympian) Elva Dryer, Western State College has become a factory for taking oftentimes average high school talent and forging them into elite athletes.

Yet, the past few seasons in particular, Western has produced a specific kind of elite runner in mass quantities…

The steeplechaser.

Over the past several seasons, "Steeple U" has become the adopted name for these Mountaineers, and it has indeed been earned.

A year ago, Western sent 4 male and 2 female steeplers to the National meet in Charlotte, North Carolina. They came away with a runner-up men's finisher and a 4th & 5th place showing on the women's side (of note : 3rd place finisher Mary Ballinger now lives and trains in Gunnison with Western State as well).



Just how has Western State come to such prominence in the 3k steeplechase event? It all starts down from distance coach Jennifer Michel, who is a former 10:04 steepler and National Champion in the event. Michel trains her athletes in the Lydiard mold, utilizing the 7,700 foot elevation to emphasize long-term aerobic development in her athletes. The strength necessary for the steeplechase seems tailor-made for the Western runner.

This outdoor season, Michel's steeplechasers have taken their craft to a new level.

Their top women, Sarah Lyle and Hillory Davis, are currently ranked #3 and #6 in the nation, respectively. Davis and Lyle were 4th and 5th at Nationals last year, and both return for yet another season in 2012.

In the men's steeplechase, Western has an embarrassment of riches, currently claiming the top 3 (and 5 out of the top 7) steeplers in the country. Ryan Haebe (8:44), David Goodman (8:49), David Flynn (8:52), Tyler Rasmussen (8:55) and Loren Ahonen (8:57 and 8:49 lifetime PR) sit atop the Division II ranks, ready for a run at something special just weeks from now at Nationals. Redshirt freshman, Garrett Wilson has also run a 9:20 twice this season, and looks to join the National ranks in the coming weeks.

Steeple U heads into championship season with big goals set. Just how many can earn All-American status? Will there be a National Champion in the mix? Follow the Mountaineers and their steepling endeavors in the coming weeks to find out.

Meet the runners...



(back row left to right : David Goodman, Ryan Haebe, Loren Ahonen, Tyler Rasmussen / 3rd row : Anna Marshall, David Flynn, Chelsea Oeffler / 2nd row : Angela Vitulli, Hillory Davis / Front : Sarah Lyle

Ryan Haebe / Colorado : I think the main reason I made a jump (from 9:36 HS 2-mile to 8:44 steeplechaser), was due to joining a great team with a great training program. We run high mileage and have coaches making sure we're doing the right things as to not get injured. They've helped me train smart but also push myself with my teammates. The biggest reason for our success is having good teammates and coaches that help us train smartly. I would also say that training at 7,000 feet has been very beneficial.

Having amazing runners to train with has also helped me tremendously. Having a ton of competitiveness just on the team makes everybody better and the older guys have been great leaders, really helping me become who I am today.

Nationals pick : politically correct answer (We all have a shot)

David Goodman / Indiana : The goal coming in was obviously to get better and stronger. Honestly, in my mind, the goal for this season was to get down close to 9 flat, qualify for Nationals and hopefully become an All-American. Never did I think I had a chance at breaking 8:50.

Training here at Western with the altitude is tough. Even on the easy days, we are cruising. Last year, during my first semester I would be dying just trying to stay with the group on easy days, and now I think the pace is even faster, but it is actually easy for me. And picking one workout a week to really push myself to get used to the pain and speed has been beneficial.

I think having such a great group to train with really helps my confidence. I honestly felt like I wasn't good enough to train with these guys until this season, when all the hard work finally started to pay off.

Nationals pick : Goodman (gotta love the confidence)

David Flynn / Ireland : Being from Ireland, it was always my dream to go to America for college and run against the top collegiate racers in the world. The altitude was a big part of why I came to Western State, but mostly it was because of the cross country tradition and the known steeplers at the time.

The advantages have been life-changing for me in Gunnison, although it took me quite a while to get used to training smart here (running controlled workouts and knowing when to recover). The coaches have really eased the transition of understanding running at altitude. Upon adjustment, I went from a 9:11 steepler to a 9:01 in 2010. Then, from a 9:01 to an 8:52 in 2011.

The key to success for us steeplers is that we all run together everyday, do weights together and have the same passion for the event. I see our whole group running under 8:47 by the end of the season, as we have not even started on the potential we have. We are all good friends and are brutally honest with each other, trying to get the best out of each one of us. We all have a great respect for each other, and know that us young guys will hopefully be looking for Olympic qualifying times in years to come. My season is stretched because of loyalty to my country (Ireland), and I will hopefully run the European Cup in June (if I have the fastest time in the country), and European under-23's in July, which is a big goal of mine.

Nationals pick : goal of Western 1 through 5

Tyler Rasmussen / Colorado : Really, the training has been the biggest part of our success. In high school, I ran about 20 - 30 miles a week. I didn't have a clue what I was doing when I came to Western, and the first couple of years were very tough. I was practically racing workouts to prove myself. I just had to learn to trust in the system and trust my coaches. After awhile, things got easier and my times started improving.

The great group of guys around me have been big for my training. The altitude also helps and the great trails add to the spectacular running environment. The small town also helps me stay more focused.

Nationals pick : Ahonen (the experience)

Loren Ahonen / Michigan : I transferred to WSC after my first semester at Michigan. The transfer has worked out phenomenally for me. People sometimes ask if I regret leaving and it's a simple answer: No. I sincerely believe I would not be where I am today as an athlete had I not transferred to WSC. I've had tremendous opportunities at Western, great teammates, logical and consistent coaching, excellent summer training environments, and strong competition running in the RMAC.

Training day in and day out with four other guys who can lay down a sub 8:55 is unbelievably helpful. Almost daily we are performing drills after our training runs, and having 5-6 guys doing the same set of technique drills adds a lot of knowing eyes and ears to the mix. As well, running difficult sessions can be easier when you know the guy next to you could take over if you asked. It's not so much that we do anything revolutionary to train for the steeple at WSC, it's just that we've found a group of guys and girls with some guts and athleticism who can work out the kinks together.

Nationals pick : Haebe (the killer kick)

Sarah Lyle / Colorado : If my coaches have taught me anything... it has been CONSISTENCY! Just keep putting in the work. I think the pivotal changing point for me was making more of a commitment after a disappointing XC season in 2009. A lot of things drove me to my new level of commitment … Lisa Thomas (2009 runner-up in the steeplechase), my coaches and achieving my first All-American in outdoors for the steeplechase, giving me the taste of success!

Trial and error, growing up, great teammates and great coaches who never gave up on me have all contributed. But mainly, my coaches who saw potential in me that I was unaware I had has been the biggest thing.

Hillory Davis / Colorado : I have come a long way at Western, both on and off the track. Running has always been a huge passion of mine and being a part of this team has been an enriching experience. I have had a lot of ups and downs during my 4 years here and with the help of great teammates, coaches, friends and especially my family, I have been able to get to where I am today.

This has by far been the best team I have ever been on. My teammates have not only helped push me but are some of the greatest friends I'll ever know. This team has an outstanding tradition of hard work and excellence and it shows everyday. There is never a day I don't appreciate being a part of this group!