Del Norte’s Haefeli to be honored

DENVER — The Colorado Running Hall of Fame is announcing its 2018 Induction Class: Ardel “Oscar” Boes, John Esquibel, Laura Haefeli, Dave Mackey and Jenny Simpson.

The class will be inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 10 at the Denver Athletic Club. The evening will have dinner, cash bar, and a program highlighting each of the inductees. A limited number of tickets will be available for the public.

The evening will also include the 2018 High School Long Distance Honorees. There will be one Outstanding Colorado High School Long Distance Award, as well as High School Long Distance Achievement Awards. These athletes will be announced in March.

Tickets will be on sale in March for $25!

Laura Haefeli

Laura Haefeli, wife and mother of three,  is a multi-dimensional athlete. She has competed on the track, roads, mountains, trails, and biathlons at a very high level. Laura was a standout at University of Dayton gathering an All American Div. 1 status as well as being inducted into the  University of Dayton Hall of Fame. She went on to be on the 1st US Women’s team to medal (bronze) at a World Mtn. Running Championship in 2004, then followed that up being the 1st US woman to win an individual medal (bronze) while helping the US women’s team clinch Gold in 2007. In her career Laura has been a 13 time World Championship Team Qualifier…5 in Mtn. Trail running and 8 in Summer Biathlon. She also has 17 National Championships plus 3 Team Championship titles. Laura was USATF Master’s Runner of the Year 2015 and has been a six-time Mtn Runner of the Year. Laura also finds time to coach and was awarded High School Cross Country Coach of the Year San Luis Valley in 2004, 2010, and 2015.

John Esquibel

John has an extensive resume in running beginning in the 70’s. He is a three time NAIA National Indoor Champion and record holder – (1979-1980-1981), two time NAIA Cross Country All American (3rd and 12th Place Finisher) – (1979-1980), three time member NAIA Cross Country National Championship Teams – ( 1977-1979-1980) and three time member NAIA All Sports Championships. After graduating college from Adams State, he spent a great deal of time running internationally from Singapore, placing 3rd in the marathon to Switzerland placing 3rd in the world’s largest mountain race. His experience runs deep, from the road to track and trail, John can accomplish anything.

He coached four High School State Championships, Coached at Trinidad High School, Cherry Creek High School, Westminster High School, Ranum High School, and Head Cross Country Coach at Regis University for the past 13 years, finishing 30 years of teaching with 27 years at Westminster Public Schools.