Can The Classical Academy sweep in 3A?
For those of you who can't make it to Penrose this Saturday -- MileSplit Colorado has you covered! We'll be live streaming the finish line: WATCH LIVE
TEAM
The Classical Academy looks as strong as ever.
Not only do they gave the potential for a 1-2 punch here, but they could close up their scoring within the first 15-finishers.
TCA has been strong all year, claiming stellar victories at the Berthoud XC Festival, Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational, Rim Rock Classic in Kansas, and the Air Academy Kadet Invitational where they went 1-2-3.
More recently they nearly claimed perfection, going 1-2-3-4, and putting five inside the top-six to tally 16-points to win the 3A Region 5 title.
They've got the low-stick, and the pack to run away with this one.
The race here looks like it's for second.
On paper Frontier Academy, Salida, Manitous Springs, Holy Family, and Jefferson Academy are in the mix. All five squads have runners who coult put up single-digits, which will be huge in the team race.
Frontier took the 3A Region 4 title by seven-points over Berthoud, while Salida slid by Manitou Springs 54-62 at Region 2. Likewise, Holy Family inched by Jefferson Academy 36-44 at Region 3.
Podium positions are up for grabs - because it looks like 2-6 could be insanely tight.
It might seem repetitive writing these words, but they ring true across nearly every team race: every runner - every point - will matter.
Photo by Jen Jardeleza
INDIVIDUAL
Matthew Edwards won this race as a freshman in 2021.
The Classical Academy junior finished third last year.
This year?
He looks to be in prime position to recapture the state title.
Edwards has run himself onto another level in 2023.
He torched a 14:54 to finish second at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational, then went on to string together a slew of great performances, including a 15:20 course record at the Air Academy Kadet Invitational.
Edwards ran 15:27 on the state meet course at the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede (Pre-State) nearly two months ago - that's seven-seconds faster than he ran when he won state in 2021.
Edwards has been undefeated against 3A competition this fall, making him the favorite heading to Penrose this Saturday.
TCA teammate Nathan Meister could help give the Titans a 1-2 finish, which would be huge in the team race. Meister ran 15:20 at Liberty Bell, which was just ahead of Frontier Academy's Darren Hayden, and Jefferson Academy's Sean Beasley, who ran 15:32, and 15:37.
Hayden and Beasley are both coming off region titles.
The boy's 3A Championships are scheduled for 12:20 p.m.
Next Page: Girls Preview