CO State Team Title Contenders: The Classical Academy

This month, we're featuring standout programs across Colorado, and first up is one of the state's most storied powerhouses, The Classical Academy Titans out of Colorado Springs.

Setting The Standard: For the past two decades, The Classical Academy (TCA) has produced some of the strongest and most consistent runners in Colorado high school history. Legendary coach Alan Versaw was at the helm during that stretch, guiding TCA to numerous state titles and establishing a foundation of excellence. (Pictured below: Vivian Jack finishing 3rd at the Dave Sanders Invitational, Photo Credit: MaryBeth Vellequette). 

When he passed the torch to current head coach Matt Norton, the program did not miss a beat. Coach Norton says his admiration and friendship with Coach Versaw are what initially drew him to TCA after his time at Thompson Valley High School. Since taking over, Norton has continued to build on the deeply rooted culture that is centered on hard work, humility, and respect for everyone involved. A unique element of TCA's daily practice is the tradition of shaking someone's hand and saying "thank you," a small but meaningful gesture that reinforces community and gratitude.

During the fall season, Coach Norton is supported by two trusted assistant coaches, Emily Hanenburg and Abe Means, both of whom bring tremendous experience from their collegiate running backgrounds.The Titans' continued success is built not only on great coaching but also on a strong support system of families, mentors, and a thriving junior high program that consistently feeds into the high school team.

Success Over The Years: Over the past five seasons, the TCA girls have been nothing short of dominant in the 3A ranks. They've stood atop the state podium four out of the last five years, finishing as runner-up only once, in 2022. Simply put, they have set the gold standard for excellence in Colorado cross country. Coach Norton says, "This year for the girls, we've been focused on the word humility and what that looks like in as many circumstances and situations as possible." That focus has become a cornerstone of their team culture, caring about each other's growth and celebrating everyone's performance, not just the top runners.

This year's squad returns ten athletes who have all broken 20 minutes in the 5K, an incredible sign of depth and consistency. With only seven runners toeing the line in a varsity race, that depth means every athlete must embrace her role and seize every opportunity to compete.

The team is led by standout junior Vivian Jack, who has already clocked an impressive 17:46.50 earlier this season. With such a deep and hungry lineup, the Titans are making a strong case for a three-peat as state champions this fall. (Pictured above: Freshman Aly Yeadon finishing at the Dave Sanders Invitational, Photo Credit: MaryBeth Vellequette). 

Training Insight: All top programs share one thing in common - a thoughtful balance of intensity, recovery, and adaptation. Coach Norton draws from a wide range of training philosophies, including insights from Sebastian Coe and Jack Daniels, as well as bits of wisdom from other coaches he admires across Colorado.

One area Norton has emphasized more recently is course-specific preparation, tailoring workouts to mimic key features of major races such as the state championship and Nike regional courses. To keep things fresh, he introduces at least one new training concept each season. This year, that has meant more workouts on grass, a valuable shift that keeps athletes mentally engaged and physically adaptable.

The team regularly includes quality sessions throughout the week, with strong long runs on non-race weekends. Certain workouts are intentionally repeated to allow runners to measure progress and see tangible improvement. While weekly mileage may vary, the consistent theme is showing up, putting in the work, and trusting the process.

The Bigger Picture: Pursuing athletics and competing at the highest levels is bigger than the sport. This is true not only for cross country, but for all sports. The mission of TCA is to assist in teaching these rising athletes of what it means to develop "exemplary citizens who pursue truth, beauty, and goodness," as Coach Norton beautifully puts it. Whether in the wins or the losses, there is always a lesson to be learned and something to be gained. TCA is one of the most dominant programs and they embody this sentiment whole heartedly. (Pictured to the left: Vivian Jack and Ellie Askew after the Coronado Cougar Classic, Photo Credit: Jen Jardeleza). 

One aspect that Coach Norton embraces, comes from a Vince Lombardi quote his dad told him when he was young. "If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do they keep score?" Coach Norton says that his team is going to do their best to win what they can win. With just a handful of weeks left until the state meet, The Classical Academy girls are looking as strong as ever, as they make a run for their third title in a row and their fifth title in six years.