Bethany Michalak ran away with the 11-12 girl's national title.
Snow? No problem.
Mud? No problem.
Some of the best athletes in the country? No problem.
It all sounds like Colorado anyway, but it was Reno, Nev., and the National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships.
Colorado sent an entourage of its best to The Biggest Little City in the World, and three returned with national titles.
Cheyenne Mountain's Erik Le Roux, who was the fastest freshman in the country this year, represented the Landsharks in the 15-18 division, and won the event in 16:31 - a 20 second victory.
Brooke Wilson, representing the Parker Panthers in the 13-14 girls division, was the runaway winner 15:20.93, which was a second-second victory.
Kokopelli Racing's Bethany Michalak made is a sweep of the pre-high school age groups, winning the 11-12 girl's division in 11:15, just ahead of Boulder Mountain Warrior's Mia Prok, who finished second in 11:34.
Brooke Wilson claimed the 13-14 division in 15:20.
In addition to the three national titles earned by Colorado runners, the Centennial State nabbed a staggering 39 All-American honors (top 25 finishes).
Depth was the name of the game for Colorado, and it can easily been seen in the numbers of the team competitions:
o Kokopelli 9-10 girls were 2nd
o Parker Panther 11-12 girls were 2nd
o Parker Panther 11-12 boys were National Champions (with a 1-5 spread of 11.8 seconds)
o Parker Panther 13-14 girls were National Champions (won by 60 points).
o Parker Panther 13-14 boys were 2nd