You couldn't script a better end to Addison Ritzenhein's cross country season than what happened in the final race of the season.
Despite finishing third at NXR Southwest, which was her only loss of the year, the Niwot High School sophomore found redemption only a few short weeks later, winning her very first Nike Cross Nationals title on Dec. 2 in Portland, Oregon and claiming a national title 23 years after her father, Dathan, last did the same at Foot Locker Nationals in 2000.
As a result, we're naming Ritzenhein as this year's MileSplit50's No. 1 runner for the cross country season.
* Addison Ritzenhein reflects on her NXN race in Portland, Oregon
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The Niwot (CO) sophomore had a nearly perfect record this fall, recording seven wins in total.
At NXN, however, it was her coup de grace.
Over the last 1,000 meters, Ritzenhein made her decision move on the Glendoveer course, moving past Elizabeth Leachman before sticking on the gas through the finish.
Shocked with the result, she covered her face with her hands and then found her father, where the two then shared a loving embrace.
"I was overwhelmed with emotion," Ritzenhein said. "I didn't even think about getting an individual national title. I ran for my team and that boosted our spirits. I was living in the moment."
With the win, Ritzenhein became the third high school girl from Colorado to win NXN, following Brie Oakley in 2016 and Katie Rainsberger in 2015.
She also was the first sophomore to win since North Rockland's Katelyn Tuohy in 2017. Tuohy was able to defend the title for three straight years.
Earlier this year, Ritzenhein ran a 5K personal best of 16:44 to win the Desert Twilight XC Invite. Her second 5K time under 17 minutes was at the Colorado 4A Region 3 Championships and then she followed with her first Colorado 4A Cross Country Championship title, claiming a new Class 4A state record in 17:08.
Her performance was also the third-fastest time ever on the Norris Penrose course.
Photo Credit: Bobby Reyes / MileSplit
MileSplit50 Cross Country Season Outline:
Final Rankings, Dec. 20: Addison Ritzenhein, Niwot (CO)
Week 4, Nov. 15: Rachel Forsyth, Ann Arbor Pioneer (MI)
Week 3, Oct. 20: Jane Hedengren, Timpview (UT)
Week 2, Oct. 5: Jane Hedengren, Timpview (UT)
Week 1, Sept. 19: Jane Hedengren, Timpview (UT)
Preseason, Sept. 12: Ellie Shea, Emerging Elite
2023 Outdoor AOY: Shawnti Jackson, South Granville
2023 Indoor AOY: Adeajah Hodge, Montverde Academy (FL)
2022 XC AOY: Irene Riggs, Morgantown (WV)
2022 Outdoor AOY: Juliette Whittaker, Mount De Sales (MD)
2022 Indoor AOY: Roisin Willis, Stevens Point (WI)
2021 XC AOY: Natalie Cook, Flower Mound (TX)
2021 Outdoor AOY: Roisin Willis, Stevens Point (WI)
2021 Indoor AOY: Sophia Gorriaran, Moses Brown School
2020 XC AOY: Jenna Hutchins, Science Hill (TN)
2020 Outdoor AOY: No award (Covid year)
2020 Indoor AOY: Athing Mu, Trenton TC (NJ)
2019 XC AOY: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland (NY)
2019 Outdoor AOY: Briana Williams, Northeast (Oakland) (FL)
2019 Indoor AOY: Athing Mu, Trenton TC (NJ)
2018 XC AOY: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland (NY)
2018 Outdoor AOY: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland (NY)
2018 Indoor AOY: Katelyn Tuohy, North Rockland (NY)
You couldn't script a better end to Addison Ritzenhein's cross country season than what happened in the final race of the season.
Despite finishing third at NXR Southwest, which was her only loss of the year, the Niwot High School sophomore found redemption only a few short weeks later, winning her very first Nike Cross Nationals title on Dec. 2 in Portland, Oregon and claiming a national title 23 years after her father, Dathan, last did the same at Foot Locker Nationals in 2000.
