Probably not since Adam Goucher has anyone in Colorado enjoyed such uninterrupted success through a high school cross country career as Evan Appel.
Appel's resume of accomplishments is lengthy indeed. As a freshman, Appel finished ninth in the 5A state meet. He would go on to finish 3rd in his sophomore year, first his junior year, and first again his senior year. On top of the individual titles, Appel led the Dakota Ridge boys to a team title in 2006.
Appel also ran four years at Foot Locker Midwest. In 2005, his 81st-place finish was tops among freshman boys, but it was barely a shadow of what was to come. In the ensuing three years, he would finish fifth, tenth, and third, qualifying for Foot Locker Nationals each time. At Foot Locker Nationals, he would finish 29th, 21st, and sixth.
For all this, and more, Appel was tabbed as the Gatorade Colorado Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2008, receiving the honor that went to Kevin Williams in 2007.
Extending his resume to the track, Appel won twin titles at 1600 and 3200 meters in 5A this past spring. The year before, as a sophomore, he finished fourth in both events.
To say that Appel left a legacy during his not-quite-finished high school career would be a substantial exercise in understatement. Though a formal announcement has yet to be made, the next stop in his running career would appear to be a top-flight Division I distance program. All the best to you Evan!