Amy Leasure of Wheat Ridge and Cammy Sargent of Green Mountain figure to be key players in how the 4A Region 1 team race develops. Colorado Track XC file photos by Paul Jeager.
Although this region doesn't have a recent history of occupying top positions at state, there's good reason to think that the region's top teams are climbing the ladder of 4A cross country. The region took a hit when Evergreen was shipped off to the Western Slope 4A region, but that just means more opportunity for the top teams.
Right now, Golden, Wheat Ridge, and Green Mountain--Jeffco westsiders all--are those top teams.
Wheat Ridge returns an established five of Amy Leasure, Eliza Van Wetter, Emily Gallegos-Francksen, Hailey Wylde, and Nyla Chamberlin. All ran 20:40 or better at some point last season. Their track seasons weren't quite as solid as their cross country season, but they were busy running track and, when it comes right down to it, some teams are better cross country teams than...