The 5A boys will take off at 1:40 p.m.

Mountain Vista's Benjamin Anderson is no stranger to Colorado cross country. Anderson has had an outstanding season thus far, remaining undefeated with seven consecutive wins. He earned an impressive win at the Liberty Bell Invitational, where he clocked a PR of 14:48.

Last year, Anderson finished runner-up in the 5A Championship behind Chaparral alum Brennan Draper, running a time of 15:19. This year, he's in a great spot to take the individual title and is favored to win.

However, could his teammate Benjamin Adams pose a challenge for the title? The sophomore from Mountain Vista sits No. 2 in the 5A rankings and has consistently finished second to Anderson in their last three meets (Pat Patten, Continental League, and 5A Region 2). 

Kaeden Dendorfer (Valor Christian), Ben Lee (Thunder Ridge), and Owen Whitney (Rock Canyon) are expected to be in the mix as well.

The 5A girls will take off at 12:20 p.m.

With the Niwot powerhouse making the jump from 4A to 5A this year, the girls' 5A race on Saturday promises to be a must-see event. 

Addison Ritzenhein, the 2023-24 Gatorade Player of the Year and 2023 4A State Champion, while breaking the state meet record in the process, enters the 5A race as a heavy favorite.

The Niwot sophomore remains undefeated this season, posting five consecutive wins. At Desert Twilight, she ran a blazing 16:41.30, securing a spot among the top 10 runners in the nation (No. 9). 

However, we can't count out Riverdale Ridge's Payton Meineke. With a top time of 17:22.60 from the Cherry Creek Steven Loham Invitational, she currently leads the 5A rankings. She has only lost once this season, finishing behind Ritzenhein at Desert Twilight.

Last year's 5A champion Rosie Mucharsky of Denver East will also look to be in the mix, along with Emry Schwalm (Heritage) and Tessa Walter (Air Academy).

Next page: 4A preview