schools
Nike Outdoor Nationals track meet features pair of Garfield athletes
By Jaymin Kanzer Follow
jkanzer@postindependent.com at Aspen Times
· June 26, 2026
· 5 min read
Eugene, Oregon, has long been one of the country’s landmark running destinations, from the evolution of the modern running shoe to hosting the Olympic track and field qualifiers.
In June, two Garfield County athletes got their chance to compete on that same stage.
Recent Rifle High School g...
Key takeaway Recent Rifle High School graduate Rylan Petree and incoming Coal Ridge High School freshman Rhyan Whelan traveled to TrackTown USA over the weekend of June 17 to compete in the Nike Outdoor Nationals, held at Hayward Field.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The participation of Rylan Petree and Rhyan Whelan in the Nike Outdoor Nationals brings attention to the athletic talent in Garfield County schools. As students in the Roaring Fork Valley, they have grown up surrounded by the natural beauty of the mountains, which can also present unique challenges for athletes, such as high altitude and rugged terrain. The fact that Petree and Whelan have risen to the top of their sport despite these challenges is a testament to their dedication and perseverance. Their experience at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, will likely have a lasting impact on their athletic careers, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to develop as runners in the years to come. As they return to their respective schools, they will likely serve as role models for younger athletes, inspiring them to strive for similar success in their own athletic pursuits.
About this story
Original reporting by Aspen Times . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Aspen Times . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: schools ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Aspen Times ·
Reading time: 5 min
Get more Aspen News stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering schools and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Eugene, Oregon, has long been one of the country’s landmark running destinations, from the evolution of the modern running shoe to hosting the Olympic track and field qualifiers.
In June, two Garfield County athletes got their chance to compete on that same stage.
Recent Rifle High School g...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Aspen Times and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jaymin Kanzer Follow
jkanzer@postindependent.com at Aspen Times. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more schools coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More schools →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter