During the past nine months, Eaton junior-to-be Delaney Reuter always seemed to be on the run — literally and figuratively.
Between dominating in cross country, competing in basketball, excelling in track and field and thriving in the classroom, Reuter had one busy sophomore year of high school.
It was also a fruitful one.
She won the first state title of her young high school career when she recorded a time of 17 minutes, 26.9 seconds during the Class 3A cross country championships Nov. 2 at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
She was nearly a minute faster than her closest competition — Alamosa’s senior runner-up Elizabeth McQuitty (18:21.18), a frequent top competitor, and friend, of Reuter. And Reuter was nearly 2 minutes quicker than her state meet time from a year earlier — 19:16.5, which allowed her to place sixth as a freshman.
Six months after the state cross country meet, Reuter claimed the second state title of her career, winning the girls 1,600-meter run title during the 3A track and field championships, which took place May 15-17 at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood.
She recorded a time of 4:59.18, narrowly defeating The Classical Academy sophomore Vivian Jack (5:00.47) and Coal Ridge sophomore Effie Fletcher (5:00.91).
She also placed third in the 800 (2:16.92) in another tight race behind Fletcher (2:16.73) and Delta senior Paige Kehmeier (2:16.84).
For good measure, she anchored Eaton’s ninth-place 3,200 relay team (10:13.57).
Oh, yeah … sandwiched between the cross country and track seasons, Reuter also was the second-leading scorer on the Reds’ successful girls basketball team, which went 16-9 and advanced to the second round of the 4A state tournament.
She averaged 11.2 points to go with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She sank a team-high 53 3-pointers on 38%.
She was CHSAA’s 3A runner of the year in cross country, a 3A all-state first-team selection in track and field and a 4A all-state honorable mention in girls basketball.
In the wake of her outstanding sophomore year, Reuter was named the Greeley Tribune’s High School Girls Athlete of the Year.
Eaton's Delaney Reuter stands in front of Eaton High School after being named the Greeley Tribune's girls athlete of the year. Reuter won state titles in cross country and two in state track for the Reds. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)Recently, Tribune sports reporter Bobby Fernandez caught up with Reuter to reflect on her stellar past nine months:
Question — To summarize the awesome sophomore school year you had: a state track title, a cross country title. Is it pretty safe to say this past year was everything you could have asked for out of your sophomore campaign?
Answer — Yes, I would say so, especially in the fall. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the cross country season went. And I had the opportunity to even continue after state, which was really cool. That was an experience I didn’t know was out there, and I was really grateful for that opportunity.
Q — You said you continued after state. I know you have basketball, and that takes up a lot of your time, as well. But how do you find a way to continue running as much as you can throughout the entire year?
A — Well, this year, my coach (Jennifer Fishman) mentioned to me an opportunity to go to Nike Cross Regionals. And so I was lucky enough to be able to go to Arizona (in Phoenix) and do that. And then from there, I was able to qualify for Nationals (in Portland, Oregon). Those were my two post-state cross country meets. So I just had to train through that, and my coach was really great with helping me with that. She gave me some plans to work through. And the national meet was right as basketball was starting. There was just a tiny bit of overlap where it was a little bit tough. And then after that, I took a little break from running.
Q — Just looking at that cross country state title … From the state meet your previous year, as a freshman, to this one this past fall, you took almost two minutes off your time. What was the difference? What would you attribute that to?
A — I think I just overall gave more time to the sport. Freshman year, I was pulled in different directions. I was doing volleyball and cross country. And then, my (cross country) coach this past year was really great. She knows a lot about running. She’s been running for about 20 years, and she has a lot of knowledge. She was really able to help me. And then, I feel like my summer training beforehand was better. I was able to build myself a better base and be more in shape.
Q — You had a pretty successful year on the basketball court, as well, as the second leading scorer on a really good team. How fun was that? Even though so many people throughout the state know you as one of the top runners in Colorado, you’re a heck of a basketball player, too.
A — The team aspect of basketball is really fun compared to more of the individual sport that running is. Basketball is a really fun time of year with the bonding with the team, hanging out and building the camaraderie, cheering each other on. It’s so fun.
Eaton's Delaney Reuter spins the basketball while inside the Eaton High School gymnasium after being named the Greeley Tribune's girls athlete of the year. Reuter's is a three sport athlete for the Reds. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)Q — Delaney, do you recall your first introduction to sports? I know you’re a multi-sport athlete, but do you remember how old you were when you first gravitated toward sports and what sports you were playing at that time?
A — When I was really little, I did a little soccer camp. But my first vivid memory of sports would be rec basketball, my kindergarten year. I just remember really enjoying it and having a really fun coach who played a lot of games. I still remember some of the games that we played, and my dad helped coach. It was just a really fun time.
Q — What was your favorite sport at that time?
A — At that time, it was basketball because of the team that I started on as a kindergartener and just all the fun people. I’m still friends with a lot of the people that I met that very first year. It just goes to show how deep those first relationships go, especially in sports.
Q — What’s your favorite sport now? Is it the obvious answer?
A — It is running.
Q — What is it about running? What are some of the things about running that make you feel so passionate about it?
A — One of the things I feel can’t be beat about running is you feel so good afterwards. You feel accomplished. You feel strong. And just coming back each day, trying to be better, trying to be faster and just being able to see that growth — there is a tangible way you can see it. And it’s just the way I feel. It just makes me feel great.
Q — I’m going to assume academics is also a big priority of yours. Do you make it a point to excel as much as possible in the classroom, as well?
A — Oh, yeah.
Q — What are some of the things you’ve been able to achieve in your first couple years of high school in the classroom?
A — I’ve been able to keep a 4.0 GPA or above. I’ve had all As, and there’s some honor classes that I’ve taken that I’ve really enjoyed.
Q — The best thing is, you have two more years of high school left. You’ve achieved so many things already. But what would you describe as some of your goals, some of the things that you want to cross off that list over the next couple years here at Eaton High School?
A — For running, there’s always times I want to lower in different events. Like for track, my mile time and my 800 time, I want to get down a little bit. And I obviously want to keep working on my 5K time. As for overall goals, I would really like to be able to run at the next level. I just want to keep pushing myself and see where the opportunities are — maybe go to some more national meets and test myself against national competition.
Eaton's Delaney Reuter stands inside the the Eaton gymnasium after being named the Greeley Tribune's girls athlete of the year. Reuter was the second leading scorer for the Reds in basketball last season. (Jim Rydbom/Staff Photographer)Getting to know Delaney Reuter
Eaton High School junior-to-be
Standout in girls cross country, basketball and track and field
Favorite color: Blue Favorite food: Chocolate Favorite TV show: Magnum, P.I. (the reboot) Favorite movie: Remember the Titans Favorite book(s): The Hunger Games series Favorite school subject: Biology Dream job: Dietitian One person to spend a day with: Paul the Apostle Read More Details
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