Representing Discovery Canyon High School in Colorado Springs, rising sophomore Griffin Stoughton has quickly made a name for herself in Colorado cross country and track. She was the top freshman in all of Class 4A across the 5K in cross country, as well as the 400m, 800m, and 1600m on the track this spring.
Rise to Spring 2025: After a strong fall 2024 cross country season, Griffin was well on her way to a freshman year to
remember. She finished 4th overall at the 4A State Cross Country Championship with a time of 18:28.41,
making her the #1 freshman in the field, by over 30 seconds. She then capped off her season
with a personal best of 18:14.28 at Nike Southwest Regionals, where she placed 2nd overall in
the Medium School Division, earning Nike All-Region honors. (Pictured below: Griffin after she won the 4A Region 2 meet. Photo Credit: Jen Jardeleza)
Fast forward to the spring, and Griffin carried that momentum onto the track. She posted the top times among all 4A freshman girls in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m, recording personal bests of 60.35 in the 400m, 2:16.85 in the 800m, and 5:12.52 in the 1600m. She also anchored her team's 4x800m relay, helping them earn an 8th place podium finish at State. Griffin capped off her 2025 track season at New Balance Outdoor Nationals, where she ran a personal best of 5:12.72 in the full mile (equivalent to approximately 5:10 for the 1600m).
Spring 2025 Training: Griffin's spring training focused primarily on speed development for the 400m and 800m. "We
did a lot of pace work, especially for the 800," she explained. "I was also in a strength and
conditioning class, which helped me build the strength to maintain my form and gave me an
advantage for my kick." Reflecting on her freshman year, Griffin felt proud of how both her cross
country and track seasons unfolded. "I think I'm really grateful for how my freshman year went,
especially that I was able to finish both seasons on such a good note," she said. When asked
how it felt to emerge as the top freshman in 4A across events ranging from the 400m to the 5K
in cross country, Griffin responded: "I think it's honestly really shocking to see that I'm the top 4A
freshman in so many events, especially because I know that there was a lot of competition and
just a lot of really good athletes overall." (Pictured to the left: Griffin running at New Balance Indoor Nationals in the 800m. Photo Credit: Robert Kellert)
Outside of Competing: Beyond the cross country course and track, Griffin enjoys a variety of hobbies that give her balance outside of running. "I love baking and cooking, mostly because I love food," she shared with a laugh. "It's not always the healthiest, but it's always delightful." She recently discovered another creative outlet, making clothes. "It's not exactly peaceful, at least not yet, but it's a really fun activity that (hopefully) produces something good. That usually only happens if my mom is helping me," she admitted. While Griffin doesn't consider herself much of a traditional artist, she enjoys finding ways to be creative. Despite all the other fun things she enjoys, Griffin still sees running as her biggest and most enjoyable hobby. One of the main reasons she loves it so much is, as she puts it, "probably because the people I run with make it so fun."
Looking Ahead: With the fall cross country season on the horizon, goals are beginning to shape up. After a highly successful freshman campaign, Griffin is entering her sophomore year with an open minded and grounded approach. "I don't necessarily think that last year being so successful guarantees I'm going to do it again," she says, "but I do feel like there's a lot more confidence heading into the season. There's a different energy in my race approach and where I think I can put myself and where I think I can be when I race." Griffin enters this season with a deeper understanding of who she is as an athlete and a strong sense of confidence.
While she has personal goals, her biggest focus is on her team's success. "We have a really strong team this year, and I think we have a lot of potential," she says. Griffin believes deeply in her teammates and the collective strength of their ability. "I think an achievable goal would be placing top five in the state and I would love for us to be in that top three. That's really the case for both my team and myself." Even with just one year of high school competition under her belt, Griffin Stoughton is already proving herself to be a mature and seasoned competitor. Keep an eye on her and the Discovery Canyon cross country team as the season quickly approaches.
