Runners Shine at Colorado State Championships
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The Colorado State Cross Country Championships brought together top athletes from across the state, showcasing their hard work and determination. Competitors faced challenging terrain and fierce competition, culminating in thrilling finishes and emotional victories. Teams and individuals alike displayed exceptional talent, with champions emerging from various classifications. The event highlighted the spirit of sportsmanship and the pursuit of excellence, making it a memorable day for runners, coaches, and fans alike as they celebrated the culmination of their seasons.
5A
Boys: Mountain Vista senior Benjamin Anderson triumphed in the 5A boys' state championship, finishing in a record-breaking 15:09.5. With a strategically controlled start, Anderson surged in the second mile, ultimately crossing the line solo. His victory broke the 2020 course record held by Parker Wolfe (15:10.4). In a defining moment for Mountain Vista, Anderson's sophomore teammate, Benjamin Adams, finished second with a time of 15:25.80, showcasing the strength of their duo and elevating the team to a 5th place finish.
The team competition saw Niwot deliver a commanding performance in their first year in 5A, capturing the title with 44 points. Ranked third in the nation, Niwot's depth was evident as four runners placed in the top 12, with junior Ryder Keeton leading the way in fourth at 15:32.3. Juniors Hunter Robbie and Gabriel Marshall placed sixth and eighth, while senior Keegan Geldean came in 12th to secure Niwot's lead. This dominating performance by the Cougars earned them their place in a competitive season, besting Valor Christian, whose 87 points placed them second, followed by Castle View with 121 points.
Girls: Niwot's Addison Ritzenhein was unstoppable in the 5A girls' race, leading from start to finish and winning in 16:54.7 to set a new course record. The reigning 4A champion powered through the course's hills, relying on her daily training on challenging terrain. Her time not only earned her a second consecutive state title but also broke the record set by Brooke Wilson of Valor Christian in 2022. As a key leader for Niwot, Ritzenhein, who was last season's Colorado Gatorade Runner of the Year, played a major role in the Cougars' fifth-place team finish in their first 5A season.
The Mountain Vista girls seized the team title with a score of 52 points, affirming their status as the No. 2-ranked team nationally. Senior Keeghan Edwards and junior Claire Guiberson led the charge, finishing fifth and sixth respectively, with Edwards edging Guiberson by mere milliseconds in her return from injury. Their performance, complemented by senior Peyton Adams in 12th, senior Zoe Brandt in 19th, junior Brenna Jorde in 21st, and senior Gabriela Boeckman in 31st, showcased Mountain Vista's balanced depth. Air Academy, led by senior Tessa Walter's impressive runner-up finish in 17:21.7, took second with 96 points.
4A
Boys: Aiden Le Roux of Cheyenne Mountain took command of the 4A boys' race with an aggressive start, covering the first mile in a blazing 4:31. His relentless pace allowed him to cross the line first in 15:02.1, setting a new all-classification state record. Le Roux's teammate, Brogan Collins, took second place with a 15:18.1 finish, giving Cheyenne Mountain a solid third-place team result. However, it was Thompson Valley who clinched their first team title with 64 points, narrowly defeating Coronado. Led by senior Curtis Smela, who finished seventh, Thompson Valley's top five runners all placed within the top 20. This win marks a high point for a team steadily improving each season and setting a new standard for future Thompson Valley runners.
Girls: With Niwot's move to 5A, Timnath rose to the occasion and claimed the 4A girls' team title in just their third season. Led by Izzy Schimmelpfennig, who took third place with an 18:18.4 finish, Timnath delivered a dominant performance, putting 18 points and over 80 seconds of team time between themselves and second-place Battle Mountain. Individually, Summit's Ella Hagen reclaimed her 4A state title with a time of 17:30.7, marking her best run on this course. She had previously won the state title as a sophomore. With only one senior graduating, Timnath looks primed to pursue a new 4A dynasty next season.
3A
Girls: The Classical Academy (TCA) solidified their dominance with their 16th title, putting five runners in the top 18 and scoring only 38 points. Vivian Jack and Ellie Askew finished third and fourth, forming a "dynamic duo" that led the Titans. Eaton's Delaney Reuter took the individual win with a remarkable time of 17:26.9, nearly a minute ahead of Alamosa's Elizabeth McQuitty. Reuter, a sophomore, bounced back from a sixth-place finish last year, staying disciplined through the race to bring home the gold.