* Niwot, the 4A Colorado state champions, is the heavy favorite team going into the Southwest Regional meet
Photo Credit: Bobby Reyes / MileSplit Colorado
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Southwest Regionals
The Team Southwest Regional meet will take place at the Coyote Run Golf Course. Teams from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada will be on hand.
This region has five girls team ranked in the top 25 of the MileSplit50.
The region's favorite is Niwot (CO). The MileSplit50 No. 2 ranked team, which dominated at the Colorado Class 4A state championships, enters the meet with depth as its advantage. At the state meet, the squad went 2-3-4-5-6 for an 18:20 average.
Niwot's Addison Ritzenhein, Mia Prok, Bella Nelson, Madison Shults, and Lex Bullen come in collectively as the team to beat.
However, the 5A state champions, Air Academy (CO), earned 63 points and had an average of 18:31 to solidify their own title.
Another team who can potentially sneak in for an auto-qualifying spot is Mountain Vista (CO).
Shifting to Utah, Lone Peak took down American Fork at states with 30 points. With Lone Peak's 65-second spread, the Knights finished with an 18:13 average. American Fork, which is led by Avalon Mecham, was able to finish with 57 points and an 18:35 average.
It looks that Colorado and Utah are the teams that bring the most heat going into the Southwest Regional meet. Keep in mind, only two teams will be able to confirm their spot to the national championship. Which teams will put their best foot forward this weekend?
Which girls team will win Team Nationals Southwest Regional Championship?
MileSplit50 Southwest Regional Rankings:
1. No. 2 - Niwot
2. No. 8 - Air Academy
3. No. 12 - Lone Peak
4. No. 19 - Mountain Vista
5. No. 24 - American Fork
Team Southwest Team Predictions
Cory's Picks
Girls Championship
| FINISH | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Niwot (CO) |
| 2 | Lone Peak (UT) |
| 3 | Air Academy (CO) |
| 4 | Mountain Vista (CO) |
| 5 | American Fork (UT) |
Ashley's Picks
Girls Championship
| FINISH | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Niwot (CO) |
| 2 | Air Academy (CO) |
| 3 | Lone Peak (UT) |
| 4 | Mountain Vista (CO) |
| 5 | American Fork (UT) |
Olivia's Picks
Girls Championship
| finish | team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Niwot (CO) |
| 2 | Air Academy (CO) |
| 3 | American Fork (UT) |
| 4 | Lone Peak (UT) |
| 5 | Mountain Vista (CO) |
* Brooke Wilson (left), Emma Stuzman (middle), and Bethany Michalak (right) will rematch at the Southwest Regional Championships
Photo Credit: Tim McDonald / MileSplit Colorado
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The Southwest Regional is one of the deepest fields outside the Midwest.
Looking into the state of Colorado, there are girls who have dipped under 17:20 for 5K.
Some of the top seeds include Emma Stutzman, Ella Hagen, Brooke Wilson, Tessa Walter, Isabel Allori, and Bethany Michalak.
At the Colorado 5A State Championships, history was made.
Valor Christian's (CO) Wilson won the title in 16:59.20 to take down Brie Oakley's 17:07 course record. Wilson became the first runner to ever break 17 minutes on the new Penrose course.
Talk about having a confidence booster going into regionals.
In that same race, Pomona's Stutzman was the runner-up with a 17:23 5K performance.
Team Southwest Individual Predictions
Cory's Picks
Girls Championship
| FINISH | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brooke Wilson, Valor Christian (CO) |
| 2 | Ella Hagen, Summit (CO) |
| 3 | Addison Ritzenhein, Niwot (CO |
| 4 | Lauren Ping, Valley Christian (AZ) |
| 5 | Ava Mitchell, Arapahoe (CO) |
Ashley's Picks
Girls Championship
| FINISH | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brooke Wilson, Valor Christian (CO) |
| 2 | Lauren Ping, Valley Christian (AZ) |
| 3 | Emma Stutzman, Pomona (CO) |
| 4 | Isabel Allori, Liberty Common (CO) |
| 5 | Ella Hagen, Summit (CO) |
Olivia's Picks
Girls Championship
| FINISH | TEAM |
|---|---|
| 1 | Brooke Wilson, Valor Christian (CO) |
| 2 | Isabel Allori, Liberty Common (CO) |
| 3 | Emma Stutzman, Pomona (CO) |
| 4 | Ella Hagen, Summit (CO) |
| 5 | Lauren Ping, Valley Christian (AZ) |