THORNTON HIGH: A four-year letterwinner in cross country at Thornton High School, from which he graduated from in 2006...A four-time state qualifier in cross country, the first runner in school history to do so...Earned second team all-Front Range League honors in cross country as a 2004 junior and a 2005 senior...Trojans finished fifth at state and won the Front Range League title as a 2003 sophomore...Also a three-year letterwinner in track and field and a two-year letterwinner in basketball...Qualified for the state 3200 meters as a 2006 senior.

PERSONAL: Born Aug. 13, 1987, to Dennis and Debra Mares...Has a brother, Adam, and a sister, Tiffany...Majoring in journalism at Metro State.