in line to speak to him on a plethora of topics.

"If you can get him on the phone, that's a big deal," Specht said.

And a bigger deal to meet him face-to-face.

"When Urban Meyer walks into a room, you know he's there," Specht said. "Not because he's so recognizable. You can just feel his presence. He's so confident in what he believes and who he is."

That was the case even before the national accolades, the Tim Tebow mentoring or BCS championships, Specht said. Even back when he was 21, ripping off his shirt, steaming up the secondary and running past high school kids.

"I'd think it's safe to say his first stop there at St. Xavier was his most important," Specht said. "Anywhere you start is most important. It's thatGrant and Aardal wins stage 5 of the Breck Epic

Joan Llordella of the Buff Pro Team pushes his way to a second place finish on the day.

(Liam Doran)

Kyosuke Takei grunts the last mile to the summit

(Liam Doran)

A Buff Pro Team rider nears the summit

(Liam Doran)

Racers climb the first switchbacks of the race

(Liam Doran)

The course was a mix of dense forest, high alpine, and rugged descents

(Liam Doran)

Peak 10 looms in the background

(Liam Doran)

The clouds threatened all day, but the rain held off for the racers

(Liam Doran)

The summit is hard to ride at 12,000

(Liam Doran)

Wheeler trail climbs the saddle between Peak 8 and 9

(Liam Doran)

Even after four hard days of riding, the forest continued to impress

(Liam Doran)

Local Marlee Dixon (mtbracenews.com/epic brewing) smiles after finishing stage five

(Liam Doran)

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