Heading into the final mile it was clear this would go down to single digits. The chase pack was littered with royal blue and blank singlets.
Arapahoe's Ava Mitchell used a late-surge to track down McConnell. Mitchell went on to finish second in 18:30.
Likewise, Cherry Creek's Addison Price kicked hard to capture third in 18:35, giving the Girls in Blue first, and third.
Ava Escorcia followed just seconds later, kicking by McConnell, and bringing teammate Emily Lamontagne, giving Arapahoe three runners in. Escorcia ran 18:44.1, just ahead of McConnell's 18:44.2. Lamontagne shared the same second, running 18:44.6.
14 seconds later Cherry Creek's Addison Laughlin finished, but was followed by Arapahoe's fourth runner - Mckenna Mazeski.
16 seconds later Cherry Creek stopped their tally, as Shelby Balding and Claire Semerod finished ninth and tenth. Arapahoe's fifth runner, freshman Jordan Stead, finished just 18 seconds back in 11th.
With all five runners each between two of last year's best teams in 5A, the counting began.
Cherry Creek had their (friendly) revenge, taking the team title by six points - winning 30-36 over Arapahoe. Cherokee Trail finished third with 56 points.
Next Page: Fox Runs Away, Cherokee Trail Takes The W