As we continue our features on standout programs across Colorado, up next is the Heritage High School girls team, who have proven to be one of the best in all of Colorado so far this season.
By The Numbers: The Heritage High School girls are on a historic tear this season. Coming in ranked 10th in the
nation, the team is led by senior Emry Schwalm, who currently sits 21st nationally among high
school girls. This year, the Heritage squad has its sights set on improving on last year's
8th-place finish at the 5A State Championships, and making a serious run at Nike Cross
Nationals (NXN) after finishing 15th at NXR Southwest last fall. (Pictured below: Schwalm finishing 1st at the Nike Portland XC meet, Photo Credit: Ken Martinez). 
The Heritage girls have made
tremendous strides over the past few seasons. Not only are they nationally ranked in 2025, but
they also stand as clear favorites to win the 5A state title. Their progression tells the story, in
2024 they placed 8th, in 2023 they did not qualify as a team, in 2022 they finished 14th, and in
2021 they were 8th. This steady upward climb is no accident - it is the result of dedication, depth,
and the rise of a formidable top seven.
The lineup of Emry Schwalm, Caroline Fender, Scout Destefano, Lilly Brooks, Lauryn Miller, Mckenna Alackness, and Jane Curran forms one of the
strongest cores in the state. The consistency and chemistry of this group has been crucial to
Heritage's success, fueling their pursuit of both a state championship and a spot among the
nation's top teams.
This Fall: The Heritage girls have been on a mission since the 2025 season began. They came out of the
gates with a statement victory at the Cheyenne Mountain Pre-State Invitational, setting the tone
early. The team followed that up with a decisive win at the Liberty Bell Invitational, where Emry
Schwalm shattered the course record with an incredible time of 16:43.20.
Most recently,
Heritage continued to prove their dominance on a national stage, finishing as the runner-up at
Nike Portland XC. The team placed three girls in the top ten, while Schwalm extended her
impressive winning streak. Heritage scored 117 points, narrowly missing the team title after a
tiebreaker with Boise Senior High School, a testament to just how competitive and talented this
group truly is. (Pictured above: Lauryn Miller and Scout Destefano running in the Freshman/Sophomore division at the Arapahoe Warrior Invitational, Photo Credit: MaryBeth Vellequette).
Looking Ahead: With several team victories already under their belt this fall, the Heritage girls are looking to
carry their winning momentum into the most important part of the season, with the Regional Championship and the XC State Championship just around the corner. This talented group is determined to make a statement at this
year's state meet, showcasing both their strength and consistency.
Heritage will once again face
the challenge of goin against Mountain Vista High School and Niwot High School, setting the stage for an exciting
showdown between two other powerhouse programs. As the championship approaches, all eyes
will be on these teams to see who rises to the top when it matters most on November 1st at the
Colorado State Championships. (Pictured to the left: Caroline Fender running at the Nike Portland XC meet, where she finished 4th overall, Photo Credit: Ken Martinez).
As we continue our features on standout programs across Colorado, up next is the Heritage High School girls team, who have proven to be one of the best in all of Colorado so far this season.
By The Numbers: The Heritage High School girls are on a historic tear this season. Coming in ranked 10th in the
nation, the team is led by senior Emry Schwalm, who currently sits 21st nationally among high
school girls. This year, the Heritage squad has its sights set on improving on last year's
8th-place finish at the 5A State Championships, and making a serious run at Nike Cross
Nationals (NXN) after finishing 15th at NXR Southwest last fall. (Pictured below: Schwalm finishing 1st at the Nike Portland XC meet, Photo Credit: Ken Martinez).
The Heritage girls have made
tremendous strides over the past few seasons. Not only are they nationally ranked in 2025, but
they also stand as clear favorites to win the 5A state title. Their progression tells the story, in
2024 they placed 8th, in 2023 they did not qualify as a team, in 2022 they finished 14th, and in
2021 they were 8th. This steady upward climb is no accident - it is the result of dedication, depth,
and the rise of a formidable top seven.
