Welcome to the Colorado Track XC preseason top ten list for girls cross country! Photo by Paul Jaeger.
If you recall this scene from this year's 5A state 1600, you understand why Megan Mooney must be reckoned among 5A's biggest cross country threats. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Jack Plantz traded strides with Ben Butler deep into last year's state race. There will be no Ben Butler to worry about in 2A this year. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
Kaleb Simington, already well-established in the ranks of 4A, is joined by younger brother Logan this year to help give Thompson Valley one of its strongest boys teams ever. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
Welcome to the Colorado Track XC preseason top ten list for boys cross country!
Lily Tomasula-Martin ranks high on any measure of returning 3A girls for this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Dominic Compoz has been a big contributor since his freshman year. This year he gets the opportunity to make his last and biggest contribution. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
My set of regional analyses failed to pick up on the fact that Colorado Academy was moved from 3A Region 2 to 3A Region 3 this year and Lake County and Middle Park from 3A Region 3 to 3A Region 1. So, here is what the analyses for those three regions should have looked like...
For Tabor Scholl, it's been an endless summer of track and field action since the state meet. Can she keep the momentum moving forward in cross country season? Photo by Jeff McCoy.
After two years of chasing Elise Cranny, it may be time for Katie Rainsberger to chase some dreams. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
In the short list of serious individual title contenders, Taylor Stack and Ben Espinola rank high. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
For the first time in a long time, Eaton looks like a 3A cross country threat, and Emma Willadsen is a big part of that picture. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Satchel Caldwell showed a thing or two in track this spring and he and his Boulder teammates are a group you want to keep an eye on. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Chelsea Meilner figures big in Paonia's plans for the fall, but she'll need help chasing down Lyons. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
Palmer Ridge has an abundance of distance depth. You've heard a lot about Eric Hamer, but it's younger guys like Liam Cox who will determine how far Palmer Ridge goes this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
If you're looking for Monarch to claim their fourth consecutive 5A girls state title, you're probably not basing that on their accumulated 1600 and 3200 times from track this spring, though Holly Bent ranks among 5A's best in both events. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Caitlin Schmitt is the leader of a strong Evergreen girls team, but the boys will be heard from in 4A Region 1 as well. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
The guy in the middle for Lyons will be taking his race to Western State this fall, but the rest of these guys will be mixing it up in 2A cross country this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Jeff McCoy.
The showdowns between Lauren Offerman, Emily Leidig, and Christa Boettiger figure to endure through the fall season. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Miles Hatton and Harley Morgan come up from the ranks of 2A this fall and add a layer of complexity to the 3A boys picture. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
It's difficult to keep track of all the guys on the Fort Collins roster who can hurt you, but Henry Briggs is one of that crew. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
An already loaded Moffat County team gets a little stronger if track phenom Mattie Jo Duzik shows up in a cross country uniform this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
The list of candidates for top runner in the region is a short one--Eric Hamer is your guy. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
In a region unusually deep in talent, Jericho Ulibarri and Jake Rogers are two of the best. Colorado Track XC file photos by Paul Jaeger.
It's been Monarch's region for a few years running, but Morgan Aurich, Lilly Stumb, and Zetta Mason are three examples of why the Coyotes might be sneaking glances back over their shoulders this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
In the world of 2A Region 3 girls ross country, much could depend this fall on the contributions of Kayli Short and Megan Levine. Colorado Track XC file photos by Paul Jaeger and Alan Versaw.
A big part of the Mountain Vista leadership this season falls to senior Tyler Matzke. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
If you're looking for the most dangerous runner in the region who may not already be on your radar screen, Lillian Markusch is one to consider. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.
Kiah Leonard figures to be among those in contention for the regional crown, but can Berthoud eke out a state berth in this powerful region? Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.
Like a lot of other folks, Veronica Brtek found herself battling for elbow room 500 meters into last year's state race, but her progression from this spring may have her running closer to the front of the field this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.