Downs Kicks Late, Allori Wins Battle: St. Vrain 4A/5A Recap


Spectators gathered in Lyons this morning as some of the best girls in the state took the field at the St. Vrain Invitational - a course that is known to be difficult, or as some may call it, a "true" cross country course. 

It was a battle for the win as Isabel Allori and Ella Hagen were neck-and-neck for almost the entirety of the race, as they broke away from the rest of the field early on. 

The Liberty Common High junior, Allori, ran away with the victory in 17:59.10 - the fourth fastest time ever run on this course. Allori's time shows a drastic improvement from this meet last year, as she finished fifth with a time of 19:10.90 back in 2021. 

The win being taken by Allori isn't shocking, as she clinched her third consecutive win of the 2022 XC season, leading the field in today's race. 

The Summit High sophomore, Hagen, wasn't too far behind her in second, finishing with a time of 18:06.90.

Although Hagen has found herself with three runner-up positions in a row this season, all three performances have been nothing short of excellent. Just last weekend, she ran a US No. 2 time of 16:45.10 at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational.

Should I mention again that she's only a sophomore?

Bella Nelson and Addison Ritzenhein of Niwot High led their team to the overall victory, with Nelson finishing third in 18:39.40 and Ritzenhein finishing fourthh in 18:42.40.

Add that Addison is only a freshman!

You actually may have heard of Bella's father, Billy Nelson, who was an Olympic steeplechaser, as well as Addison's father, Dathan Ritzenhein, who was an Olympic distance runner and former American Record holder in the 5,000.

It looks like these two girls are following in their footsteps!

Teammate Madison Shults wasn't too far behind the two, finishing eighth in 18:53.80. Niwot High took the team title with 42 points. 

A tenth-of-a-second in front of her was Fossil Ridge's Tatum Berg, who ran 18:53.70.

Mountain Vista High were the runners up for the team title with 53 points, led by sisters Brooke Adams and Peyton Adams. Brooke took fifth in 18:44.20, while Peyton took sixth in 18:46.70. 

Sophomores Rosie Mucharsky of Denver East High and Cloe Ruth of Silver Creek High took 9th and 10th, Mucharsky running 19:06.00 and Ruth running 19:18.30. 

Mountain Vista took second with 53 points, while Fossil Ridge was third with 149.

Lots more to see from these girls in the next few weeks. We're just getting started!