The 5A State Preview: Titans Set To Clash On The Course

TEAMS

After a year off the top of the podium, it looks like Mountain Vista has the potential to return.

Led by Harrison Witt, they appear to be the team to beat. Harrison is flanked by Owen NolanKyle Boe, and Jayden Nats - all who have broken 16 minutes. On the right day, Witt, Nolan, and Boe could potentially crash the top-10 at State. On paper, they've got the best No. 2-3-4-5 in 5A. 

Currently they're ranked No. 19 nationally.

Last week Mountain Vista won the 5A Region 3 title by 29 points over Dakota Ridge, and Valor Christian. 

While Mountain Vista has the target on their back, one team that could threaten them is Chaparral.

 

A year ago Chaparral was at home during the state meet. This year, however, they head to Penrose as the No. 2 team in the State. 

Freshman Brennan Draper has been a consistent No. 1 runner for this squad - he's run 15:53 so far this season. He's backed by Thomas Alley, and George Maldonado III, who have broken 16:15 so far this season. 

When Chaparral and Mountain Vista met the Beet Juice Invite last month, Mountain Vista came out on top 55-106. 

Beyond these two teams, every place appears up for grabs. 

There's Dakota Ridge, Rock Canyon, Cherry Creek, and...

If we're going to give a Dark Horse tag here, it goes to Valor Christian...

While Valor wasn't ranked in the last Coaches Poll, they stormed the 5A Region 2 Championships, stunning CO No. 5 Heritage with an upset third-place finish behind Mountain Vista and Dakota Ridge to head to State. 

Add that Valor was just five points behind stunning CO No. 6 Dakota Ridge as well. 

When Valor, Chaparral and Mountain Vista battled at the Beet Juice Invite, Valor was 34 points behind Chaparral. 

Individuals

For the first time in three years, we'll see a new state champion crowned. 

Heading to Colorado Springs, Parker Wolfe is the favorite. 

The Cherry Creek senior tore down Cole Sprout's one-year-old Colorado soil record, running 14:30 at the Heritage Distance Classic. 

Not only was that a state-leading, state record, but it's still the fastest time in the country. 

Wolfe has had a flawless season thus far, winning three-out-of-three races, with his smallest margin of victory being 53-seconds. 

Can anyone challenge him?

Harrison Witt has shown glimmers of greatness. 


The Mountain Vista senior scorched Sprout's Vista Nation 2-Mile course record to open the season, running 9:33. Witt also beat a stellar field at the Beet Juice Invite, running 15:23 - a season-best.

Witt has won two of five races this season, and both were against highly competitive fields.

But he'll have plenty of company with region rivals Jacob White, and Ty Garrett


While Witt took the victory over White and Garrett at the Beet Juice Invite, it appears that White took his vengeance at last week's 5A Region 2 Championships. 

White and Witt are now 1-1 heading to the state meet, as White ran away for the region title, running 15:49 to Witt's 16:09. 

White owns a season-best of 15:33 from the Beet Juice Invite. He's won four of six races - his only losses (runner-up finishes) came in races against Witt. 

And then add Garrett into the mix.


The Valor sophomore is tied for the second-fastest time in 5A (with Witt). Garrett ran 15:23 at the Heritage Distance Classic. 

In head-to-head matchups, Garrett endured an off-day at the Beet Juice Invite, but rallied at the 5A Region 2 Championships, finishing five-seconds behind White for a runner-up finish that was 16-seconds ahead of Witt. 

He owns two runner-up finishes, with the other being to Wolfe at the Heritage Distance Classic.

Add this mix of high-caliber runners Henry Murphy, and Caleb Boutelle...

Anything can happen on any given day - it all rides on who shows up this Saturday.