COROS MileSplit 50: Niwot boys land atop final XC Rankings

COROS MileSplit50
Ryan Kotajarvi


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From the Vista Nation meet to start the season, to Nike Cross Nationals to finish the season, the Niwot boys cross country team demonstrated dominance and resilience, culminating in a historic national title. Their season was marked by perfect scores, redemption, and an unparalleled display of depth that few teams in the country could match.

UPDATED RANKINGS: 

COROS MileSplit50 Boys XC Team Rankings (FINAL)


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The journey began at the Vista Nation 2-Mile meet, where the Cougars set the tone for the season with a strong performance. They followed it with perfect scores at the RE-1J District meet and the St. Vrain Invitational, establishing themselves as a powerhouse early on. Traveling to Arizona for the Desert Twilight Meet, Niwot faced a national-caliber field but emerged victorious, scoring 69 points and showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level.

As the championship season approached, Niwot continued to dominate. They recorded another perfect score at the Granite Peaks League Championships, then repeated the feat at the Colorado 5A Region 3 meet. At the Colorado 5A State Championship, the Cougars captured the title in commanding fashion, relying on their hallmark pack-running strategy and exceptional depth.

The team's only stumble came at the Nike Cross Regional Southwest meet, where they finished second to Herriman (UT), the reigning National Champions. The loss was a wake-up call, but it fueled their determination to peak at Nike Cross Nationals. With a renewed focus, Niwot prepared for their most important race of the season.

At Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland, Oregon, under rainy conditions, the Cougars delivered their defining moment at NXN. Running as a tight-knit pack, they posted an average time of 16:04 with just a 31-second spread between their first and fifth runners. Their score of 70 points decisively outpaced second-place American Fork (UT) by 26 points and third-place Herriman by 36. Junior Hunter Robbie led the team with a time of 15:52.70, followed closely by Keegan Geldean, Quinn Sullivan, and Gabriel Marshall. Senior Gavin Engtrakul rounded out their scorers, his first time being a scoring runner for their varsity squad all season. 

In winning the NXN team title, the Niwot boys became the first Colorado team to win the team title. Mountain Vista also won the girls title, making this is the first time the team titles were swept by one state since New York's Fayetteville-Manlius did it in 2014 sweeping the titles as a school. Niwot will return five of their top seven, including three of their top five scorers heading into 2025. 

The Niwot Boys Come Away with the NXN Team Title

Adding to their remarkable day, Niwot showcased their extraordinary depth by sending a second squad to the RunningLane Championships in Huntsville, Alabama the same day. Competing against elite teams from across the country, this group finished second overall with a team average of 15:43. They were led by Evan Kear and Cole Mazurana, who stepped up to keep Niwot's dominance on full display, even on a national stage.

Throughout the season, Niwot's depth was their greatest asset. Rocco Culpepper led the team in five meets, but four other runners also took turns as the top finishers, highlighting their versatility and balance. In all, nine runners played pivotal roles for their varsity squad this season, exemplifying the team's collective strength.

From their early season victories, to their redemption at NXN and their impressive showing at RunningLane, the Niwot boys cross country team's journey was one of perseverance and excellence. Their triumph at Nike Cross Nationals not only secured their place in history as the first Colorado boys' team to win the event but also inspired future generations to dream big and aim high.