CHSAANow

Category: Girls Cross Country

  • Colorado preps media points out athletes to watch this fall

    State cross country generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    As the summer days begin to fade away, it’s nearly time to start looking to the fall. The official start of practice is just weeks away and once the ball gets rolling, the 2019-20 athletic season will consume coaches, athletes and fans for the better part of nine months.

    Over the last few weeks, CHSAANow.com has featured returning stat leaders from various sports (football leaders will come next week), but the real question that lingers is who is everyone excited to see?

    So we asked.

    We shot emails to various outlets throughout the state and asked them who they’re excited to see once competition starts next month while adding a few names of our own.

    [divider]

    The Pueblo Chieftain’s Marcus Hill and Austin White

    Athlete: Marvin London Jr.
    Year: Senior
    School: Pueblo East
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Marvin London Jr. had a team-high 73 receptions for the Eagles last season. He also had 1,083 yards and seven touchdowns — both second to only Kain Medrano.

    Athlete: Samantha Meehan
    Year: Senior
    School: Pueblo County
    Sport: Volleyball

    Why to watch: The Hornets senior ran rampant through the South-Central League last season and helped Pueblo County go 10-0 in league play. She led the Hornets with 284 kills, 24 aces. Meehan along with the core of Hornets hope to repeat as S-CL champs this season.

    CHSAANow.com’s Dan Mohrmann

    Athlete: Trey Jones
    Year: Senior
    School: Palmer Ridge
    Sport: Boys golf

    Why to watch: Jones has a little bit of work cut out for him this fall, but in terms of the Colorado Springs area, he’s one of the top returning golfers. He finished tied for 18th at the Class 4A state tournament and this summer tied for 14th in the JGAC Junior PGA Championship on the difficult Blue Course at the Air Force Academy.

    9News’ Taylor Temby

    Athlete: Katie Fankhouser
    Year: Senior
    School: Lyons
    Sport: Girls Cross Country

    Why to watch: Katie is a phenomenal multi-sport athlete. This fall, the 2018 runner of the year will look to defend her 2A cross-country individual state title, one that helped the Lions claim just their second ever team championship. A side note – she is also the third ranked female junior freestyle kayaker in the WORLD. To say she is competitive would be a huge understatement.

    Athlete: Gavin Sawchuk
    Year: Sophomore
    School: Valor Christian
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Expect Gavin to carry the same energy and momentum from his freshman season into his sophomore campaign. He put up 13 touchdowns for the Eagles in 2018 – in large part due to his speed. Sawchuk posted the fastest 100m dash time in the Colorado during the spring track and field season, and he already boasts several D1 football offers.

    Athlete: Alexisius “Q” Jones
    Year: Junior
    School: Fountain-Fort Carson
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Q. Jones had anything but a good ending to his season. In his first year in a Trojan varsity uniform, he amassed 1,738 all-purpose yards. But his season was cut short due to a leg injury. FFC coach Jake Novotny told us this summer that Jones will be ready to go. He’s reportedly getting looks from the University of Colorado and Wyoming and the list is expected to grow upon his return to the field.

    The Coloradoan’s Kevin Lytle

    Athlete: Nikki McGaffin
    Year: Sophomore
    School: Fossil Ridge
    Sport: Softball

    Why to watch: McGaffin starred in the pitching circle as a freshman in 2018 to help the SaberCats win 21 games. She went 14-1 with a 1.78 ERA (second in 5A), striking out 122 in 90.1 innings pitched.

    Athlete: Tate Satterfield
    Year: Senior
    School: Poudre
    Sport: Football

    Why to watch: Satterfield was eighth in 5A in 2018 with 1,238 rush yards, scoring 14 touchdowns on the ground. He’ll be a key part of an experience Poudre team that could challenge for the Front Range League title.

    The Durango Herald’s John Livingston

    Athlete: Madeleine Burns
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High School
    Sport: Girls Cross Country

    Why to watch: A year after Burns finished 13th in the 4A girls cross country state race, she is back as a senior looking for a podium finish for the Demons. Last spring, she won the girls 3,200 meter run at the 4A state track and field meet and backed it up with a third-place finish in the 1,600. She broke the school record in the 5K last year the Liberty Bell Invitational and is primed for a big senior season after a summer of competing around the country.

    Athlete: Millie O’Ketter
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High School
    Sport: Volleyball

    Why to watch: A senior libero and outside hitter, O’Ketter has already verbally committed to Northern Arizona University to play Division I volleyball. This summer, she competed in the Global Challenge International volleyball tournament in Croatia, helping her team to a 5-2 overall record in the udner-18 division with the lone losses coming to first-place Italy and second-place Netherlands. She led her team with 47 of the squad’s 111 digs and also led the team in serve receive accuracy and was second in assists.

    Athlete: Leland Heinicke
    Year: Senior
    School: Durango High
    Sport: Boys soccer

    Why to watch: As a junior, Heinicke had a team-high 14 goals and added four assists to help lead the Demons to the fourth seed in the 4A state tournament. At 6-foot-4, Heinicke is dangers when he gets his head on the ball in set pieces, and he has the skill to once again lead Durango on a playoff push.

    Other athletes to watch:

    Laurin Krings (Loveland softball): The returning 5A player of the year is on a mission to bring home a state championship.

    Amelia McCarthy (Cherry Creek field hockey): After falling short in the state championship game last year, McCarthy has the talent to take the Bruins to the top of the field hockey mountain.

    Kole Taylor (Grand Junction Central football): Taylor hauled in eight touchdown catches in 2018 and recently committed to LSU. He makes the Warriors an instant threat when he’s on the field.

    Cruz Culpepper (Niwot boys cross country): Last year’s 4A champ has ambitions of defending his championship this fall.

  • Assisting injured athletes, expansion of exchange zones among rules changes in track and cross country

    Track generic
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    INDIANAPOLIS — The expansion of exchange zones in short relay events, which does not require tracks to be repainted/resurfaced, as well as assisting injured athletes, are among the rules changes for high school track and field and cross country.

    Seven rules changes were recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Track and Field and Cross Country Rules Committee at its June 10-12 meeting in Indianapolis, and all changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

    The first change amends notes in Rule 4 (Competitors and Competition) and Rule 8 (Cross Country) which reads, “A competitor who provides assistance to an injured or ill competitor should not be disqualified if neither the individual competitor providing the assistance nor his/her team gains an advantage as a result of providing the assistance.”

    “Previous changes to the NFHS rules created the exception that allows a competitor to assist an injured or ill competitor without being disqualified when medical staff is not present,” said Julie Cochran, NFHS director of sports and liaison to the Track and Field/Cross Country Rules Committee. “In a clear majority of these types of situations, the action is intended to be an act of good sportsmanship and not an attempt to circumvent the rules or gain an advantage.”

    While the injured or ill competitor is disqualified for receiving help, the competitor helping will not be disqualified, unless that competitor – or his/her team – gains an advantage. In all cases, the final decision rests with the meet referee, who has the sole authority to rule on infractions, irregularities and disqualifications in a meet.

    Changes to Rules 5-3-3 and 5-3-4 expand the exchange zone in relays with legs of 200 meters or less from 20 to 30 meters. All exchange zones for races with legs longer than 200 meters will remain at 20 meters.

    “The acceleration zone is now incorporated into the existing exchange zone, thus a 30-meter exchange zone for relay races with legs of 200 meters or less,” Cochran said. “The rule change does not require that tracks be repainted or resurfaced in order to follow the new NFHS rules. Existing acceleration zone markings, such as triangles, squares or colored tape, placed at that location may be used to denote the beginning of the exchange zones on a track.”

    Rule 6-2-6 has been amended to prohibit athletes from running backwards or in the opposite direction (non-legal direction) during warm-ups on horizontal jumps, pole vault and javelin runways.

    “This change promotes a more organized and efficient warm-up period,” Cochran said. “Competitors should now be more aware of their surroundings.”

    Two changes to Rule 6 provide equivalent metric increments for tiebreaking jump-offs in vertical jumps, as well as clarify distance requirements for long jump and triple jump pits. For long jump and triple jump pits constructed after 2019, the length of the pit shall be at least 23 feet (seven meters).

    In cross country, Rule 8-1-1 has been reorganized to clarify that a cross country course may be marked with any or all methods listed in the rule.

    An additional change to cross country rules adds language to Rule 8-1-3 regarding straightaways at the start of a course. The change provides a recommended minimum distance of 100 meters for beginning straightaways, and states that no narrow section of a course should be longer than 10 feet (three meters) long. Small cones of the appropriate color, at least 12 inches (30 centimeters) high, are also now permitted to be used in lieu of painted lines or survey chalk.

    According to the 2017-18 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, track and field is the most popular sport for girls with 488,592 participants and is No. 2 for boys with 600,097. Cross country ranks sixth for girls with 223,518 participants and sixth for boys with 270,095.

    A complete listing of the track and field and cross country rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Track and Field/Cross Country.”

  • Jeffco’s National Letter of Intent signers grows to more than 200

    Golden
    (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Public Schools)

    JEFFERSON COUNTY — The latest National Letter of Intent signing period has pushed the number of Jeffco student-athletes continuing at the next level to well over 200.

    Several Jeffco high schools across the district has had signing celebrations since the final signing date period of the coming 2019-2020 academic school year began on April 17. The final signing date for Division I basketball programs wraps up May 15 and the last signing day for Division II football programs is August 1.

    [divider]

    Jeffco’s signers on National Letter of Intent — April 17

    Bear Creek High School
    KarlieAnn Bauer, softball, Dodge City Community College
    Morgan Browne, volleyball, Colorado State University
    Nathan Madrid, baseball, Metro State University
    Miranda Manfre, track, Colorado School of Mines
    Megan McGriff, women’s lacrosse, Marietta College
    Ciara Navarro, softball, Trinidad Community College
    Leon Sebastion, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Julian Vargas, baseball, Doane University

    Chatfield Senior High School
    Kira Coffee, women’s tennis, University of Nebraska-Kearney
    Martha Geering, ice hockey, University of Colorado

    Columbine High School
    Ellie Barrow, women’s basketball, Ellsworth Community College
    Daysha Mendez, softball, Dodge City Community College

    Conifer High School
    John Votaw, baseball, Augustana College
    Avery Fulord, baseball, Trine University
    Mitch Marinaro, men’s lacrosse, Midland University
    Laurel Ainsworth, softball, Hawaii Pacific University

    D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
    Brady Sullivan, football, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Leah Sommer, volleyball, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Luca McIntyre, football, Avila University

    Dakota Ridge High School
    Zoe Plechaty, cross country/track, St. Olaf
    Lucile Pidek, cross country/track, Fort Lewis College

    Evergreen High School
    Jina Alvis, women’s soccer, Johnson Wales University-Denver
    Maggie McDonald, women’s soccer, West Point Military Academy
    Bryce Pearson, baseball, Garden City Kansas
    Paul Schreffler, baseball, Trinity University-San Antonio

    Golden High School
    Elizabeth Henshaw, women’s soccer, Culver-Stockton
    Katie Dunson, softball, Lamar Community College
    Jack Walters, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Jonah Wimbish, men’s soccer, Augustana
    Cassidy Paulson, softball, Neosho Community College
    David O’Connell, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Jade Gomez-Chavarria, softball, Western Nebraska Community College
    Tristen Emory, boys lacrosse, Fort Lewis College
    Joe Quintana, baseball, Northeastern Junior College

    Green Mountain High School
    Jessica Greenwood, softball, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
    Summer Olson, cross country/track, College of Saint Mary

    Lakewood High School
    Elias Borjas, baseball, Iowa Western Community College
    Carley Bennett, cross country/track, University of Colorado
    Pierce Holley, football, Georgetown University
    Jacob Brunner, men’s lacrosse, Johns Hopkins University
    Elyse Hatch Rivera, women’s soccer, Macalester College
    Kayla Colangelo, softball, Dodge City Community College
    Lauren Rice, softball, University of Puget Sound
    Isaac Garcia, swim and dive, St. Ambrose University
    Rose Nadelhoffer, swim and dive, Macalester College
    Kayleigh Knodel, volleyball, Colby Community College
    Emily Booth, volleyball, Johnson & Wales University

    Pomona High School
    Mary Franssen, track, Northern State University

    Ralston Valley High School
    McKenna Bennett, swimming, Southern Illinois University
    Lauren Foley, fencing, Wagner College
    Myranda Grygorcewicz, cheer, University of Wyoming
    Cole Jesch, football, South Dakota School of Mines
    Shaun McDonnell, men’s soccer, Western Illinois University
    Katie Olson, cheer, Brigham Young University
    Tori Sayer, diving, University of Northern Colorado
    Jordan Stratch, men’s basketball, Colorado Northwestern Community College

    Standley Lake High School
    Alex France, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Tyler Williams, track, Southern Utah University
    Brady Rose, baseball, McLennan Junior College
    Tyler Dorn, men’s golf, Lamar Community College
    Haley Klasner, women’s soccer, Colorado Mesa University
    Tate Minch, men’s soccer, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
    Nathan Adams, baseball, Labette Community College

    Wheat Ridge High School
    Jack Bozik, men’s lacrosse, Bellarmine University
    Logan Duford, women’s soccer, University of Texas, San Antonio
    Molly Kratzer, women’s soccer, Regis University
    Ryan Peterson, men’s swimming, University of Southern California
    AJ Wyse, football, Luther College

    [divider]

  • Jeffco student-athletes sign their National Letter of Intent

    JEFFERSON COUNTY — It was another banner day for student-athletes in Jeffco Public Schools on Wednesday, Feb. 6.

    More than 100 signed their National Letter of Intent to a wide range of colleges and universities across the country. Arvada West, Chatfield, Columbine, Dakota Ridge, Golden, Pomona and Ralston Valley all held celebrations Wednesday to honor their students who will continue their academic and athletic careers at the next level.

    To date, more than 150 student-athletes from Jeffco have signed National Letter of Intents this school year. That number will surely grow with three more final signing days coming up April 1, May 15 and August 1.

    [divider]

    Jeffco’s signers on National Letter of Intent — Feb. 6

    Arvada West High School
    Christaana Angelopulos, softball, University of Wisconsin
    Chase Biel, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Ashleigh Burr, women’s soccer, Colorado Mesa University
    Cory Carignan, football, Minot State University
    Anthony Cass, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Timothy English, football, Presentation College
    Dominic Folks, baseball, Barstow College
    Christopher Gist, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Makenna Fowler, women’s soccer, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
    Gianna Haley, softball, Black Hills State University
    Mark Hunter, baseball, Blue Mountain College
    Madison Johnson, women’s soccer, Wayne State College
    Latham Kleckner, men’s soccer, Gustavus Adolphus College
    Johnny Krutsch, football, Bethel University
    Brady Legault, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Chris McEahern, football, Colorado State University
    Ella McShane, women’s swimming & diving, Chapman University
    AJ Ortez, football, Fort Lewis College
    Theresa Price, women’s tennis, Hastings College
    Devin Smith, cross country & track, Nebraska Wesleyan University
    Dori Sterne, women’s soccer, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Michael Vandenberg, football, Nebraska Wesleyan University

    Bear Creek High School
    Megan McGriff, women’s lacrosse, Marietta College

    Chatfield Senior High School
    Sam Low, baseball, Mesa Community College
    Luke Lachance, baseball, Doane University
    Ben Kornegay, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
    Jack Kornegay, baseball, Northeastern Junior College
    Dalton Dillard, baseball, Barstow Community College
    Julia Geiger, volleyball, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
    Kayleigh Conner, volleyball, Doane University
    Alexa Alameddin, volleyball, Fort Lewis College
    Tedy Reed, women’s basketball, Colorado College
    Bailey Truex, women’s lacrosse, Fresno State University
    Kevin Peterson, men’s soccer, Colorado College
    Noah Haddad, men’s soccer, Radford University
    Christian Holmes, men’s tennis, Utah State University
    Anthony Johnston, football, Western Colorado University
    Broc Doughty, football, Bethany College
    Cameron Austin, football, Bethany College
    Sydney Williams, cross country/track, Colorado School of Mines

    Columbine High School
    Jake Gimbel, baseball, Lamar College
    Chance Goodson, baseball, Southeast Community College
    Braiden Fritz, baseball, Hastings College
    Logan DeArment, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Cole Parrott, football, University of Northern Colorado
    Evan Durbin, football, Drake University
    Ben Earnest, football, Kearney University
    Jaden Armbrust, football, Concordia University
    Cody Ramming, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Corbin Curry, football, Colorado State University-Pueblo
    Grant Keim, football, Luther College
    Maddie Hadden, women’s rugby, Central Washington
    Taryn Elsner, women’s soccer, Knox College
    Kelsey Akins, volleyball, Lake Forrest College
    Grayson Mix, men’s water polo, University of California-San Diego
    Teagan Simons, men’s lacrosse, Monmouth College

    Dakota Ridge High School
    Joseph Ashley, men’s golf, Buena Vista University
    Andrew Eickelman, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
    Jacob Eickelman, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
    Riley Fisher, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
    Ryan Kissinger, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
    Jackson Lamb, men’s basketball, Case Western Reserve
    Elliot Pigati, baseball, Alvin Community College
    Ryan Stohr, baseball, Air Force Academy
    Austin Vancil, cross country, University of Colorado

    D’Evelyn Junior/Senior High School
    Isabella Porreco, softball, Yavapai College

    Golden High School
    Elizabeth Henshaw, women’s soccer, Culver-Stockton (MO)
    Katie Dunson, softball, Lamar Community College
    Jonah Wimbish, boys soccer, Augustana (IL)
    Jack Walters, football, Colorado School of Mines

    Lakewood High School
    Pierce Holley, football, Georgetown University
    Jacob Brunner, men’s lacrosse, Johns Hopkins University
    Elyse Hatch Rivera, women’s soccer, Macalester College
    Isaac Garcia, men’s swimming, St. Ambrose University

    Pomona High School
    Justin Pacheco, wrestling, Air Force Academy
    Theorius Robison, wrestling, University of Northern Colorado
    Colten Yapoujian, wrestling, Cornell University
    Brooke Weins, gymnastics, University of Oklahoma
    David Ross, football, University of Northern Colorado
    Colten Muller, football, Colorado Mesa University
    Luke Rohweder, football, Colorado Mesa University
    Jack Thiele, football, University of Wyoming (preferred walk-on)
    Billy Pospisil, football, Washington State University (early graduate)
    Michael Marquez, football, Dakota College at Bottinuea
    Jaime Wolf, softball, Garden City Community College
    Peyton Westphal, women’s soccer, Hastings College
    Jim Gassman, baseball, Tabor College
    Trevor Abernathy, baseball, Marshalltown Community College
    Cameron Berthold, men’s golf, Southern Virginia University

    Ralston Valley High School
    Peyton Anderson, women’s ice hockey, Northeastern University
    Savannah Brown, women’s soccer, Johnson and Wales University
    Mackenzie Friedman, women’s rowing, University of Wisconsin
    Levi Johnson, football, Colorado School of Mines
    Jessica Lemmon, women’s soccer, Laramie County Community College
    Keaton Maring, men’s swimming, SUNY Oswego
    Lexi Mueldener, women’s golf, Grinnell College
    Maya Provencal, women’s track, Duke University
    Brad Roberts, football, Air Force Academy
    Ben Schneider, football, University of Northern Colorado
    Tanner Spirek, men’s lacrosse, Colorado Mesa University
    Isaac Townsend, football, University of Oregon

    [divider]

  • Peak to Peak’s Quinn McConnell named girls cross country runner of the year

    Peak to Peak senior Quinn McConnell was named Colorado’s girls cross country runner of the year by Gatorade on Monday.

    She is the first-ever Peak to Peak athlete to win the Gatorade award in any sport.

    McConnell finished third in the Class 3A state championship in the fall.

    McConnell has signed with Furman, and has a 4.76 GPA. She volunteers locally on behalf of an animal hospital and a therapeutic horse-riding program for the disabled.

    “Quinn McConnell is very competitive and obviously very talented,” said Centaurus head coach Devin Rourke. “She’s overcome a lot of challenges and has remained resilient and strong.”

  • Video: December’s Jeffco Preps With Pleuss

    A roundup of Jeffco prep highlights from November with Dennis Pleuss, Jeffco Public Schools’ Communication Specialist. This month’s edition features Dakota Ridge’s boys cross country and Pomona’s gymnastics squads bring home state championships this fall. Lakewood senior Amber Boll had a historic performance sweeping all individual events at the Class 5A gymnastics state meet. Highlights from the state volleyball meet where Chatfield, Ralston Valley and Evergreen all advanced to the Denver Coliseum. We wrap up with football playoff action from Ralston Valley, Columbine and Pomona.

  • All-state girls cross country teams for the 2018 season

    The 2018 all-state girls cross country teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

    These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

    The athletes who won championships at their classification were named runner of the year.

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    Lyons girls cross country Katie Fankhouser
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Katie Fankhouser, Lyons
    Coach of the year: Mark Roberts, Lyons

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Helen Cross Junior Nederland
    Emma Dikken Sophomore Platte Canyon
    Katie Fankhouser Junior Lyons
    Lucca Fulkerson Sophomore Dawson
    Quin Gregg Freshman Lyons
    Chloe Veilleux Senior Soroco
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Lisa Bezzant Senior Platte Canyon
    Audrey Maroney Freshman Rye
    Mallory Salazar Freshman Buena Vista
    Sophia Schuemann Sophomore Heritage Christian Academy
    Kendra Sears Junior Sargent
    Hannah Thomas Sophomore Lyons

    Honorable mention: Kayedence Bruner, Freshman, Soroco; Elise Caucutt, Sophomore, Golden View Classical Academy; Cecelia Davies, Sophomore, Clear Creek; Meg Feeley, Senior, Nederland; Kate Griffin, Junior, Colorado Springs School; Hannah Grover, Freshman, Platte Canyon; Abby Leuchten, Senior, Shining Mountain Waldorf; Tess Leuchten, Sophomore, Shining Mountain Waldorf; Molly McMurry, Freshman, Buena Vista; Heather Prevette, Junior, Sargent; Cecilia Richardson, Freshman, Peyton; Tawny Roberts, Sophomore, Paonia; Katya Schwieterman, Junior, Paonia; Mary Scoggins, Freshman, Rangejy; Kylee Udovich, Senior, Lyons; Lizzy Valentine, Sophomore, Centauri; Betsy Veilleux, Freshman, Soroco; Sophie Weiner, Senior, Dawson.

    [divider]

    Class 3A

    State cross country Kaylee Thompson The Classical Academy
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Kaylee Thompson, The Classical Academy
    Coach of the year: Alan Versaw, The Classical Academy

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Katie Flaherty Senior The Classical Academy
    Rachel Ingram Senior Colorado Springs Christian
    Quinn McConnell Senior Peak to Peak Charter
    Kennedy McDonald Freshman The Classical Academy
    Anna Shults Senior Peak to Peak Charter
    Kylie Simshauser   Florence
    Kaylee Thompson Senior The Classical Academy
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Allison Beasley Sophomore Peak to Peak Charter
    Taylor Haerbig Sophomore D’Evelyn
    Shannon King Junior Faith Christian Academy
    Lilly Lavier Junior Alamosa
    Ashten Loeks Senior Elizabeth
    Eliana Thompson Freshman D’Evelyn
    Rebecca Thompson Junior The Classical Academy

    Honorable mention: Kaitlyn Becker, Senior, Weld Central; Sierra Bower, Sophomore, Basalt; Julia Brown, Junior, Frontier Academy; Sarah Burroughs, Senior, The Classical Academy; Eowyn Dalbec, Freshman, James Irwin Charter; Leah Hill, Freshman, Denver School of Science a; Ella Johnson, Freshman, The Vanguard School; Kylie Kenny, Sophomore, Aspen; Kylie Kravig, University; Sierra Liverett, Freshman, Pagosa Springs; Madi Moen, Junior, The Vanguard School; Alliyah Molina, Junior, Alamosa; Elsie Skurdal, Freshman, SkyView Academy; Elle Stevens, Freshman, Colorado Springs Christian; Audrynn Street, Sophomore, Frontier Academy; Alyssa Wells, Sophomore, Holy Family.

    [divider]

    Class 4A

    State cross country Layla Roebke Niwot
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Layla Roebke, Niwot
    Coach of the year: Kelly Christensen, Niwot

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Joslin Blair Junior Eagle Valley
    Tiya Chamberlin Senior Wheat Ridge
    Naomi Harding Senior Battle Mountain
    Taylor James Sophomore Niwot
    Kenadi Krueger Junior Thompson Valley
    Liberty Ricca Senior Discovery Canyon
    Layla Roebke Senior Niwot
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Samantha Blair Freshman Eagle Valley
    Madeleine Burns Junior Durango
    Avery Doan Senior Eagle Valley
    Paige Embaugh Senior Air Academy
    Lizzy Harding Senior Battle Mountain
    Grace Johnson Junior Battle Mountain
    Joelle McDonald Junior Niwot

    Honorable mention: Sophia Abernethy, Sophomore, Standley Lake; Winter Boese, Senior, Steamboat Springs; Maren Busath, Sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Ella Chura, Freshman, Air Academy; Maggi Congdon, Junior, Steamboat Springs; Samrawit Dishon, Junior, Niwot; Baylie Koonce, Junior, Ponderosa; Molly Maksin, Senior, Centaurus; Maggie McCleskey, Freshman, Centaurus; Madeline Morland, Senior, Coronado; Elliot Pribramsky, Sophomore, Battle Mountain; Isabella Prosceno, Sophomore, Palmer Ridge; Emma Reeder, Sophomore, Battle Mountain; Maggie Smith, Senior, Niwot; Aubrey Surage, Sophomore, Lewis-Palmer; Dylan Teeples, Freshman, Air Academy.

    [divider]

    Class 5A

    State cross country Jenna Fitzsimmons Mountain Vista
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Runner of the year: Jenna Fitzsimmons, Mountain Vista
    Coach of the year: Eric Selle, Mountain Vista

    First Team
    Name Year School
    Jenna Fitzsimmons Junior Mountain Vista
    Caitlin McConnell Senior Cherokee Trail
    Cameron McConnell Freshman Cherokee Trail
    Sarah O’Sullivan Junior Mountain Vista
    Riley Stewart Freshman Cherry Creek
    Taylor Whitfield Sophomore Valor Christian
    Aidyn Woodall Freshman Douglas County
    Second Team
    Name Year School
    Shelby Balding Freshman Cherry Creek
    Carley Bennett   Lakewood Senior
    Caroline Eck Senior Mountain Vista
    Kiran Green Senior Brighton
    Madison Reed Junior Mountain Vista
    Ellie Schweiker Junior Ralston Valley
    Sydney Swanker Junior Broomfield

    Honorable mention: Makenna Anderson, Senior, Mountain Vista; Emily Beckner, Freshman, Fort Collins; Isalina Colsman, Junior, Regis Jesuit; Olivia Dickinson, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Lena Fogarty, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Kinsey Hall, Junior, Fairview; Lucy Hart, Sophomore, Pine Creek; Caitlin Hunt, Freshman, Fossil Ridge; Abby Jones, Legacy; Keely Jones, Senior, Valor Christian; Lauren Lapporte, Junior, Cherry Creek; Shannon Osoba, Senior, Rock Canyon; Marlena Preigh, Senior, Fairview; Julia Schlepp, Senior, Rocky Mountain; Erin Smith, Junior, Cherry Creek; Anna Wexler, Junior, Monarch.

  • Photos: Jeffco cross country teams hit the ground running at state

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Jeffco cross country teams and individuals competed at the state championships Oct. 27 at Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.

    Dakota Ridge’s boys where the highlight for Jeffco with the Eagles winning the Class 5A boys team title.

    [divider]

  • Final results: 2018 state cross country championships

    COLORADO SPRINGS — Complete results from the 2018 state cross country meets, held at the Norris-Penrose Event Center.

    [divider]

  • 3A/2A cross country: The Classical Academy’s Mason Norman breaks brother’s record

    State cross country Mason Norman The Classical Academy
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The Norman brothers have a stronghold on the state cross country competition at the Norris Penrose Event Center.

    Mason, the younger sibling of Tanner, shattered the elder’s Class 3A course record of 15 minutes, 44 seconds from 2016 with a 15:33 in clinching back-to-back state crowns on Saturday. Salida senior Camden Gillis (16:18) was the runner-up.

    The stalwarts from The Classical Academy have now won a combined four individual championships in a row as Tanner earned titles in 4A in 2015 and 3A in 2016.

    In a bit of a surprise though, Kaylee Thompson matched the brothers with another crown for TCA, who was in for a championship frenzy as Titan competitors Katie Flaherty (5th place), Kennedy McDonald (6th), Rebecca Thompson (8th), and Sarah Burroughs (14th) also helped lift the program to their first team title since a 10-year winning streak from 2003-2012.

    Their 34 points bettered Peak to Peak’s 97, the two-time defending champions.

    But, before The Classical Academy girls left their mark on the 2018 state meet, Mason Norman entered the stadium ahead of the pack.

    “It definitely did inspire me,” Mason said of seeing his brother taste victory at state. “I remember watching him win his junior year in a really tight race and his senior year, I ran with him and it was exciting where he had gone with running.”

    Only a junior, Mason snatched his first cross country title with a six-second margin. His triumph was much more decisive this time around.

    “Last year, coming into state I knew that I could maybe do it,” he said. “I knew I was going to have to gun it through to the finish to hang on to it. This year, I was really hoping to make a break early on in the race. Coming up to the first mile, I started to pull away a bit and I tried to stretch it out.”

    With his sights set on winning more than time, Mason wasn’t sure of the classification course record mark.

    “I didn’t really know exactly what it was,” the latest superstar harrier for TCA admitted.

    Nonetheless, the record added to an illustrious career for Mason, who will be in search of a third individual crown as a senior. As a team, the Titans were the defending champions but settled for third (107 points) behind Peak to Peak (76) and Salida (80) on Saturday.

    Now a veteran in the prep running scene, the younger Norman got a chance to watch a relative newcomer taste gold when Thompson (18:19) overtook the Peak to Peak twosome of Anna Shults (2nd place, 18:37) and Quinn McConnell (18:43, 3rd place).

    State cross country Kaylee Thompson The Classical Academy
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Thompson, with a background in soccer and basketball, signed up for cross country for the first time as a junior and earned 10th at the state meet. She wouldn’t be denied this year.

    “I was just trying to catch Quinn McConnell and try to get up with her,” Thompson said. “I made my move in the last half mile. I was nervous that I might not have enough energy left to finish, but I just kept pushing.”

    McConnell led much of the race before Thompson overtook her and even shattered the classification course record herself.

    A Brigham Young University recruit, the senior was ecstatic seeing three other teammates finish in the top 10. One was her sister, Rebecca, who was eighth as a junior.

    “It’s amazing,” Thompson said of her sister also nabbing all-state honors. “I wish I could run every season with her.”

    The Classical Academy girls have now won 11 cross country championships, a Colorado record.

    As for the Pumas of Peak to Peak, the boys secured their first state championship by a thin margin over Salida. An entire varsity contingent returned from last year’s third place team.

    William Ledden (3rd place), Justin Hager (14th), Ethan Monarski (16th), Ryan Kuykendall (21st), and Cole Beasley (22nd) broke new ground for a standout program from Lafayette. Coach Kim McConnell has earned three overall team championships with the program.

    State cross country The Classical Academy girls champions
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    State cross country Peak to Peak boys champions
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    [divider]

    Class 2A

    State cross country Seth Bruxvoort Heritage Christian
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    The wave of green and white from the spring carried all the way into October for Heritage Christian.

    After clinching their fifth 1A championship in boys track and field in May, the Eagles topped everyone in 2A cross country, winning the crown in Colorado Springs with a mere 12 points.

    Seth Bruxvoort (1st place, 16:09) and Levi Killian (4th, 16:55) led the Eagles’ contingent as the long hair and smooth stride of Bruxvoort, and the more aggressive looking form of Killian (800, 1,600, 3,200 champion in 1A track), proved to be an overwhelming one-two punch. Keaton Case rounded up the scoring for the Eagles in eighth.

    Lyons girls cross country Katie Fankhouser
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)

    Lyons girls were just as convincing in victory as junior Katie Fankhouser (19:24) and freshman Quin Gregg (19:36) crossed the finish line faster than anyone else in 2A, all but ensuring Lyons of a second girls team championship in school history (2014 winners).

    Sophomore Hannah Thomas (12th) was the final scorer for Lyons, one of many Boulder County challengers throughout the divisions and a program that has also seized five boys titles in the past seven years. The boys were the runner-up this time with 38 points as Isaac Roberts finished third.

    Platte Canyon (43 points), led by Emma Dikken (6th), was second in the girls team competition.

    State cross country Heritage Christian team champions
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
    State cross country Lyons girls team champions
    (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)