After spending his spring on the track, Battle Mountain’s Jonny Stevens couldn’t wait to hit the trails.

Stevens had to wait a bit, though.

“We try and take two weeks off, but I took three off because I am upping my mileage a lot this summer and wanted to be well-rested,” Stevens said.

The competition at last week’s U.S. Trail Running Championships in Steamboat Springs probably wished Stevens had taken a little more of a break. Stevens won the junior division, coming in at 59:58, more than a minute ahead of the next junior runner.

“It was cool to go out there and run with everyone,” Stevens said. “I like trails so much more than (the track).”

With the title, Stevens has a good chance of being named to the U.S. Mountain Running Team, which he made last year, but gave up his spot after learning he had a stress fracture in his foot. Stevens was on the team the year before that, however.

Battle Mountain’s Tony Crisofulli came in fifth at 1:05.25. Both Crisofulli and Stevens were part of the Battle Mountain boys cross country team that won the 4A state championship in 2006.

In addition to training for the upcoming cross country season, Stevens still finds time to hit the ice with his teammate on the hockey team.

Sports Writer Ian Cropp can be reached at 748-2935 or icropp@vaildaily.com.