Without a lights-out performance from sophomore Josh Simkins, TCA goes home with second place in 3A boys.
Of the eight teams that won state championships yesterday, seven were won by teams that had the best fifth finisher (or fourth finisher in 3A/third finisher in 2A). It's an old saw about cross country, but no less true on account of its age--you're only as good as your fifth runner.
So, this article salutes those who completed the team score for each state champion team at yesterday's meet. May each of you enjoy the well-deserved appreciation of your teammates and the honor that your efforts have earned.
Rebecca Hermann, Nederland - finished fifth overall in the 2A girls race in 19:42, and less than two-tenths of a second out of fourth. Showed remarkable improvement over the course of the season to give Nederland a dominant scoring combination.
Angel Ramos, Rocky Ford - finished 14th overall in the 2A boys race in 18:09. If Ramos slips one place, the title goes instead to Wiggins. Instead, Ramos seals a second consecutive state championship for the Meloneers
Kassie Mazzocco, The Classical Academy - finished seventh in the 3A race by outkicking Basalt's Chiara Del Piccolo at the finish. Finishes 28th in the overall combined scoring (19:08), underscoring the fact that she is no ordinary "last" scorer.
Dane Mahaffey, Falcon - finishes in 17:17, sixteen seconds ahead of the next-best fifth finisher in the 4A ranks. In a race between Falcon, Wheat Ridge, and Niwot for the 4A team title that was deemed too close to call, Mahaffey ranks as the one who blew it all open.
Denise Chilson, Fort Collins - rather an unsung performer for the Lambkins all season, Chilson has consistently performed to a high standard. Finished the state meet in 20:08, a full 30 seconds ahead of any other team's fifth scorer in 5A girls.
Josh Simkins, The Classical Academy - a sophomore who ran a 43-second PR (17:08) at state in his first-ever season of cross country to seal an improbable victory for the Titans. Moved up steadily through the field in the final mile.
Hannah Pensack-Rinehart, Thompson Valley - Pensack-Rinehart is not usually TV's fifth scorer, but on a team where there is a great deal of depth and little differentiation between the second through ninth runners, there's going to be a lot of sharing of the "fifth scorer" role. On Saturday, Pensack-Rinehart delivered big for TV, finishing in 20:16, nearly 45 seconds ahead of the next best fith.
Riley Kleeman, Cherry Creek - a senior on a senior-laden team, Kleeman finished in 17:13 to end a long title drought for the Bruins. Kleeman's finish gained 21 points for Cherry Creek versus second-place Regis Jesuit. The final margin of victory was 20 points.