Who runs within 10-seconds of the Norris Penrose Center (the state meet course) record in August?
The Cheyenne Mountain junior threw down the gauntlet Friday evening.
Le Roux torched a 15:20.1 to win the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede in the eighth-fastest time ever run on the course.
Of the seven in front of him, only one hasn't won a state title, meaning that Le Roux is in great company.
As it currently stands, the course record is owned by 2020 state champ, and 2024 NCAA 5,000 champ Parker Wolfe, who ran 15:10.40.
Le Roux's run was a meet record, however - by seven-seconds.
Photo by Jen Jardeleza
| Rank | Time | Athlete/Team | Grade | Meet DatePlace |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15:10.40 | 2021 | ||
| 2 | 15:12.70 | 2020 | ||
| 3 | 15:13.50 | 2023 | ||
| 4 | 15:14.40 | 2024 | ||
| 5 | 15:17.70 | 2022 | ||
| 6 | 15:19.00 | 2025 | ||
| 7 | 15:19.90 | 2024 | ||
| 8 | 15:20.10 | 2026 | ||
| 9 | 15:20.70 | 2024 | ||
| 10 | 15:21.70 | 2024 |
With Le Roux's 15:20 coming in the tail-end of August, and plenty of racing in front of us, it seems to be a hint of what's to come: the course record may fall this year.
What's additionally impressive about Le Roux's performance, is that last year he opened his season with a 16:14 at the 2023 edition of the Cheyenne Mountain Stampede, then went on to finish fifth at the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships in 15:32.
In other words: he's already way, way ahead of where he was last year at this time.
Cheyenne Mountain teammate Brogan Collins took second 10-seconds back in 15:30, which was just ahead of Valor Christian's Kaeden Dendorfer, who finished third in 15:35. Braeden Focht had a big race of his own - the Regis Jesuit senior finished fourth in 15:36 - that's 30-seconds faster than he ran at State last year.
Photo by Jen Jardeleza
In the girls Championship race it was the Payton Meineke Show.
The Riverdale Ridge junior picked up where she left of, torching the field to win the race in 18:00 - a 43-second victory.
A year ago she had a breakthrough race here, running 17:57. She went on to finish fifth at the 2023 edition of the 4A Colorado State Cross Country Championships, running 18:16.
Heritage went 2-3 with a big run by Emry Schwalm, who finished second in 18:43. Teammate Caroline Fender took third 21-seconds back in 19:04.