Birdie Hutton shines for Shining Mountain

Birdie Hutton owns the sort of sunny disposition that is matched only by her remarkable talent.

The standout senior distance specialist from Shining Mountain (Boulder, Colo.) has compiled a prep career bursting with accomplishments and accolades.

Hutton has collected three Top 10 finishes at the state cross country meet and is the defending Class 1A state champion in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter races. Moreover, Hutton has helped lead an abrupt ascension at Shining Mountain since the track program's inception in 2010, and she also has survived a monumental gaffe at state — the sort of thing that would make most teenagers cower and cringe — with a pleasant sense of humor over the regrettable ordeal.

Most likely, Hutton will soon accept an offer to continue her running career at the Division I level. Still, Hutton has what she believes is a glaring omission from that otherwise glowing high school resume: A team state championship.

While that may remain a lofty goal for the still-improving Lions, Hutton is focused intently on raising Shining Mountain's track profile as high as possible before she takes her running shoes to the next level.

"There are a couple things I'd like to do — I want to break 5 (minutes) in the mile and maybe 11 in the 2-mile," said Hutton, who remains undecided about her college choice. "But I'm definitely focused on our team. We have a much better team this year and we want to compete for that state title."

Hutton began her career when she joined a spring running club in seventh grade. While her endeavors in other sports like volleyball didn't exactly click with Hutton, distance running fit her talents perfectly. Before long she became training partners, and eventually good friends, with two other local running phenoms, Sam Lewis of Boulder and seven-time track and cross country champion Kelley Robinson of Nederland.

Those relationships remain prominent for Hutton, who finds both motivation and inspiration from her two biggest local rivals.

"It's an exciting thing for us, actually," Hutton said. "We talk to each other a lot and give each other hugs before and after meets, but we're also very focused. We know each other very well, but we also really push each other and motivate each other."

Hutton competed for the Boulder track team as a freshman in the spring of 2009 and has helped put Shining Mountain on the map since the Waldorf school began its track program in 2010. As a sophomore in 2010, Hutton finished second in the 3,200 and third in the 1,600 before winning those events last year.

But that memorable performance instead became memorable to Hutton for an entirely different reason.

Hutton very well could have won three individual titles if not for a unique snafu. While getting ready for the 800, Hutton decided to take a pit stop in the restroom. It was ill-timed, however, as Hutton missed the start of the race, hurrying out to symbolically cross the finish line, even though she officially was disqualified. Hutton is quick to laugh about the incident now, and Shining Mountain coach John Hamilton still marvels at how Hutton still caught up to the pack despite the late start.

"She passed a couple of them," Hamilton said. "It definitely was something to see."

While returning to state in pursuit of a three-title climax to her Shining Mountain career seems like an obvious goal, the Lions' improved depth might shift Hutton's focus once state rolls around. Hutton is a virtual lock to attempt defending her titles in the 3,200 and 1,600, but instead of running a third individual event, Hamilton and Hutton indicated this year's squad may be capable of competing in relay events with Hutton anchoring the teams.

"I definitely hope to win the 3,200 and 1,600, but we really want to try and win that team title," Hutton said. "We have a better team this year and if the relays help us better, that's great."