To see Lindbergh senior Travis Downen as a sophomore, it would be hard to believe where he is now.

“That guy’s progress is just crazy,” said Lindbergh boys coach Jef Rettmann. “If you look at where he started and where he now, it’s incredible.”

Downen started cross country as a sophomore, just off a growth spurt. Rettmann said he was still a little awkward with his new height and suffered through the aches and pains of running at a high volume for the first time. Now with a few years of year-round running under his belt, he’s really started improving.

“He has a great attitude, work ethic and passion for running,” Rettmann said. “He’s the kind of kid who deserves to have this kind of success. It’s fun to see.”

As a sophomore, Downen’s best performances were solid in the 3,200 (11 minutes, 14.10 seconds), 1,600 (5:09.08) and 800 (2:22.16). Junior season was even better as his best times dropped to 10:10.65, 4:42, and 2:07.89.

This year things have taken another huge leap. Downen’s best 3,200 time of 9:18.09 leads the state among 2A times. His 1,600 time of 4:22.49 is seventh-best in the state.

“It’s all about the offseason really,” Downen said. “We did more spadework and that definitely helped build some speed.”

Even with the lofty rankings, Downen knows nothing is won yet.

“I can run as fast as I want before the race,” he said. “But if I don’t perform at state, it doesn’t matter.”

Rettmann said he’s never seen improvement quite like Downen’s.

“If you do see that much improvement usually it’s someone who started off slower than is still a JV runner,” he said. “To move up this far and be one of the top in the state is remarkable.”

Downen said his goals are 4:15 in the 1,600 and 9:12 in the 3,200. He will run at Linfield College next year.