In this week's edition of Colorado Future Stars we'll taking a look at recent stand-out freshmen performances!
Colorado, meet Dawit James.
The Strasburg freshman recently picked up the first win of his high school career - and he did it on his home course at the Strasburg Invitational, where he ran 17:13.
James has finished in the top-10 of seven out of the eight races he's competed in - and the only time he didn't finish inside the top-10 was his first race of the season at the Washington Park Invitational (where he finished 13th.)
He owns a personal best of 16:36 from the Wiggins Cross Country Invitational, where he finished third.
The time currently ranks him No. 13 in 2A, and it leads the 2A freshmen class by 45-seconds.
Going back in time...
As an eighth-grader James ran personal bests of 1:03 in the 400, and 5:23 in the 1,600.
Doing the math on this... His 16:36 PR is roughly 5:21 pace, so he's clearly run himself onto another level this fall!
Quick Takes
Rocco Culpepper - Niwot - He recently torched a 15:18 PR to win the Longs Peak League Meet. Additionally, he led Niwot to the team title.
Israel James - Strasburg - Presumably Dawit's brother. He recently finished second to Dawit at the Strasburg Invitational, running 17:47.
Dylan Smith - Cherokee Trail - He recently finished sixth at the Centennial League in 16:31.
Mikaela Kendall - Heritage Christian Academy - She recently won the Mile High & Foothills League Championship in 20:10.
Addison Ritzenhein - Niwot - She recently finished second at the Longs Peak League Meet in a PR of 17:49.