Addison Ritzenhein - Freshman
If there's been on consistent No. 1 runner for Niwot this season, it's been Ritzenhein.
She's led the squad in their last three outings, which include the Colorado 4A Region 3 Cross Country Championships, which she won, the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she was the runner-up, and the Team Southwest Regional Champs, where she finished ninth.
Ritzenhein has had an upward trajectory this season, having run a personal best of 17:40 at Team Southwest Regionals just last week.
Ritzenhein is the daughter of Olympian and former 5,000 US record holder Dathan Ritzenhein, and two-time Champs Sports (formally Eastbay, formally Footlocker, formally Kinney) All-American Kalin Ritzenhein (maiden name Toedebusch).
While her namesake implies a familiarity with cross country, she's actually only run two cross country races prior to 2022 - just last year.
Ritzenhein is articulate and thoughtful in her words. Her light blue eyes shade over an intensity seen only when she's on the course.
Anna Prok - Freshman
Like Ritzenhein, Prok has come out of the gates on her high school cross country career swinging.
Anna Prok finished 18th at the Team Southwest Regional Champs, where she was Niwot's No. 3 runner. At the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships she finished eighth, and was team's No. 6 runner.
Prok has been insanely consistent this season, having run under just over 18-minutes three times, including a 18:03 PR from Team Southwest Regionals.
Prok is the younger sister of Mia Prok.
The younger Prok has a candid mind, and a budding sense of humor. Despite being one of the youngest members of the squad, her bubbling energy plays a big role.
Bella Nelson - Sophomore
Nelson has been a vital piece to Niwot this season, having led the squad on several occasions.
She finished fourth at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she was Niwot's No. 3 runner, and she was the Longs Peak League Meet Champion, where she ran a season-best/Colorado PR of 17:47
Nelson is the daughter of Olympic Steepler Billy Nelson.
Like Ritzenhein, Nelson's experience on the course is primarily limited to her high school career.
Nelson is quiet and reserved, which balances the squad. Her sharp features mirror her words, as when she does speak, she speaks with precision and purpose.
Mia Prok - Junior
Mia Prok has been big part of the program for the entirety of her high school career.
The 2020 Colorado State runner-up finished third this year at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she was the squad's No. 2 runner. She duplicated the performance last week, finishing 14th at the Team Southwest Regional Champs in 17:54.
Prok's season-best came at the Desert Twilight XC Festival, where she ran 17:36.
As mentioned above, Mia Prok is the older sister of freshman Anna Prok.
The elder Prok personifies the word charming, and is filled to the brim with positive, infectious energy. That energy reflects her smile which is accentuated by two dimples beneath her always rosy-cheeks.
Olivia Alessandrini - Junior
Alessandrini could be the wildcard for Niwot - she's once run as their No. 2 runner.
Alessandrini finished 14th at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she finished 14th, and was Niwot's seventh-runner. A week earlier she was the Cougar's No. 2 runner, having finished second at the Colorado 4A Region 3 Cross Country Championships.
Just last week she finished 21st at the Team Southwest Regional Champs, where she was Niwot's No. 4 runner.
Alessandrini is keen and calming. Though there's constantly an energy bubbling beneath the surface, as she's one of Niwot's most quiet weapons - she has the potential to make this squad a national champion.
Madison Shults - Senior
Like Alessandrini, Shults is another wildcard for the Cougars - she led the squad once this season, and owns the team's fastest time run in 2022.
Shults finished fifth at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she was Niwot's No. 4 runner. Her best performance this season came at the Desert Twilight XC Festival, where she finished fourth in a season-best of 17:36, and led the squad.
She is the two-time defending 800 state champion. She's the veteran, having been part of that 2019 squad that finished third at Team Cross Country Nationals.
Shults is the younger sister of multi-state champ Anna Shults.
The younger Shults is quick to smile, and quick to find the humor in any situation. Like Mia Prok, she's filled with the kind if positive energy required to elevate Niwot to big things.
Lex Bullen - Senior
Like Shults, Bullen has been a leader to this squad throughout the season.
Bullen finished sixth at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, where she was the squad's Closer - their No. 5 runner. A week earlier she finished third at the Colorado 4A Region 3 Cross Country Championships, where Niwot scored a perfect 15-points.
Her season best came at the Longs Peak League Meet, where she ran 18:17. She's run under 19-minutes five-out-of-six races.
Bullen speaks eloquently and is attentive. Like Shults, she's been the top of the mountain and back, so she knows the way. She has a keen understanding of what it takes to navigate a season, particularly with a team that holds such high aspirations.
All Eyes On Saturday
"First," (No Cap) Bullen stated boldly when asked about goals for Team Nationals.
Editor's Note: I added "No Cap" - those were not Bullen's words. But given her resolute response, it seemed a fitting line.
"Our program has never won a national title," Bullen explained. "But, no matter what happens we'll be happy with what we've done this season."
A year ago Niwot won RunningLane, which was a pinnacle moment for team. Though they're quick to note the absence of the 2021 US No. 1 squad - Saratoga Springs.
But everyone currently ranked in front of them will be on the line Saturday - US No. 1 and US No. 2 squads, Saratoga Springs, and Buchanan.
"As long as we go out there and feel like we did everything we could, we'll be happy no matter what place we finish," Shults said.
Niwot is a team that's been under scrutiny, but they've handled it beautifully. Because all of this isn't new to them.
While Niwot heads to Portland with their eyes on bringing back a large trophy they could awkwardly carry onto a plane - you know that thing isn't getting crammed into any overhead bin - they're reflective on their season, and quick to acknowledge the sweetness of the moment before it's already passed.
"I feel like we could be in the lavender haze right now," Bullen shared, referencing Taylor Swift's song "Lavender Haze."
True - the season is a moment the team is likely to want to stay in.
Niwot is a team of exquisite musical taste, who believe in the collective power of the pink shorts - and the key word there is collective, because above all, they believe that the team is more important than any one individual.
In the end -
(Niwot's) just looking for one last option
Just one last chance
If you're looking for the main attraction
Just let them do their dance.
Time to search lyrics on Chrome...