Ryan Poland and Kaitlin Hanenburg posted second-best times in all classifications at the state meet. All photos by Alan Versaw.
3A Boys
Ryan Poland, Denver Christian
Finished his season undefeated with four sub-16 marks, including a season-best 15:43 to win the 3A state meet.
Amos Bowen, Brush
Like Ryan Poland, Bowen ran sub-16 four times during the season and posted an impressive string of meet titles through the season, including two on his own home course.
Josh Noriega, Salida
Climbed from 17th in 2008 to third in 2009 at the 3A state meet. Dominated southern Colorado 3A competition throughout the entire season, including league, regional, and several invitational titles.
Josh Simkins, The Classical Academy
Started the year a little slowly, but picked up steam in a big way toward the end of the season. Finished the year with a substantial PR of 16:29 at the state meet.
Hondo Katz, Colorado Academy
Ran in the high 16s throughout most of the season, but came up big in the state meet to run 16:33 and pass a couple of people who had consistently beaten him during the season.
Lukas Garcia, Salida
The 2 of Salida's formidable 1-2 punch up front. Never had the limelight, but was extremely consistent through the season and ensured Salida would be a contender in every meet they entered.
Second Team: Conner Roper, Basalt; Derek Laue, Bayfield; Dylan Donohoe, Lyons; Drew Johnson, Salida; Bryce Johnston, Gunnison; Sam Yeager, Faith Christian
3A Girls
Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy
Finished the season with only one loss to Boulder's Kelsey Lakowske. Won a third straight 3A state title with an 18:16. Captured a fourth-consecutive regional title prior to that.
Emily LaValley, The Classical Academy
A senior and still dropping new PRs on a regular basis. Never ran cross country until she was sophomore and didn't crack the varsity lineup until she was a junior. Has never looked back since. Best time of the year was an 18:28 at state.
Shelby Stableford, The Classical Academy
Lost three weeks of her season, but the sophomore returned with a mission to finish third at regional and at state. Second consecutive year finishing third at state.
Sam Berggren, Middle Park
Last year's state runner-up didn't run this year until her league meet. The junior captured her league and regional titles and managed a brave performance to finish fourth at state.
Johanna Reed, Hotchkiss
Attends Paonia High School, but runs cross country for Hotchkiss. The senior moved up four places from last year's state finish to finish 5th in 19:15.
Brandi Krieg, Grand Valley
The western slope junior split time with volleyball all season long and was only able to run in the state meet when it was postponed one week which deconflicted her with volleyball districts. Moved up from 10th last year to finish 6th this year in 19:17.
Second Team: Kaiti Davis, Salida; Lauren Policky, Salida; Allie Morgan, Discovery Canyon; Elaina Turley, The Classical Academy; Meredith Sloan, The Classical Academy; Kim Hansen, Estes Park; Melissa Roberts, Lyons