In a race that look like it'd be between two runners, Ella Johnson played the Spoiler here.
The Dark Horse. Or beyond that.
A week ago Johnson finished second to Eowyn Dalbec at the 2A Region 2 Championships by 47 seconds. But Saturday she turned the tables in dramatic fashion.
The Vanguard School junior clearly saved her best performances for last, as she captured the 2A state title in 19:34.
Add that the victory was just her second of the season - a season of which she finished second five times.
Dalbec didn't go without a fight, however.
The Peyton junior chased Johnson all the way up the double hill and into Penrose. But Johnson's big upset would hold. Dalbec finished second in 19:43.
And then the kicks came storming in.
Mallory Salazar kicked out and away from a pack of three that included Sophia Bull, Adele Horning, and Rose Horning. Salazar took third in 20:19, just ahead of Bull's 20:21, Adele Horning's 20:25, and Rose Horning's 20:30.
And with those finishes the team race began to take shape.
Lake County's Horning sisters gave them the 1-2 punch, though Buena Vista responded with Zaila Smith, who finished seventh.
Buena Vista took the edge with Molly McMurry, their No. 3, who finished 12th, though Lake County countered with Keira King, who finished 15th.
The day belonged to Buena Vista, however, as Kadance Kelso and Alexis Santopietro kicked in before Lake County's four.
Buena Vista took the 2A state title with 31 points. Lake County was 10 back with 41, while Lyons finished third with 93, just ahead of Colorado Springs Christian, who tallied 98.
