Cougars cross country faced crowded field at St. Vrain Invitational

On September 10, the Niwot Cougars cross country teams traveled to Lyons to compete in the 17th annual St. Vrain Cross Country Invitational. More than 25 high schools fielded runners for the 5A/4A races, including 2015 5A boys champions Mountain Vista, and 2015 4A girls champions Air Academy.

In the 5A/4A boys race, Niwot placed 10th overall, with 338 team points. The Cougars were led by junior Kenny Lang, who placed 29th, with a time of 16 minutes and 59 seconds. Junior Ethan Steiner placed 51st, with a time of 17:28, and junior Oskar Wells (17:42) finished 68th.

On the girls’ side, sophomore Maggie Smith was again the fastest runner for Niwot, placing 24th with a time of 19 minutes and 34 seconds. Freshman Joelle McDonald (21:17) finished 83rd, while sophomore Claire Jepson (22:14) placed 116th. Overall, the girls team placed 15th, with 406 team points.

The cross country teams will compete next on September 14 in the RE-1J District Meet at Sunset Golf Course in Longmont.

Boys Team Scores — Mountain Vista, 71; Monarch, 72; Palmer Ridge, 76; Widefield, 183; Rio Rancho, 184; Poudre, 217; Boulder, 218; Rampart, 221; Air Academy, 241; Niwot, 338; Legend, 340; Battle Mountain, 363; Regis Jesuit, 389; Coronado, 396; Rocky Mountain, 409; Castle View, 429; Denver East, 433; Palisade, 445; Mead, 486; Erie, 576; Northridge, 629; Longmont, 685; Cheyenne South, 725; Fort Morgan, 751; Silver Creek, 757; Harrison, 758; Mountain Range , 767.

Niwot Individuals — 29. Kenny Lang, (Jr.), 16:59; 51. Ethan Steiner, (Jr.), 17:28; 68. Oskar Wells, (Jr.), 17:42; 82. Benjamin Bi, (So.), 17:52; 136. Peter LeCavalier, (Jr.), 18:34; 158. Matthew Funk, (Sr.), 18:59; 160. Jack Volf, (So.), 19:03; 161. Luke Robinson, (Fr.), 19:03.

Girls Team Scores¬ — Mountain Vista, 84; Rio Rancho (N.M.), 109; Battle Mountain, 119; Monarch, 144; Boulder, 144; Regis Jesuit, 187; The Classical Academy, 217; Rocky Mountain, 242; Coronado, 246; Palmer Ridge, 260; Castle View, 387; Rampart, 394; Denver North, 394; Air Academy, 405; Niwot, 406; Poudre, 425; Mead, 447; Longmont, 450; Erie, 524; Denver East, 555; Legend, 568; Palisade, 586; Mountain Range, 602; Silver Creek, 700; Northridge, 799.

Niwot Individuals — 24. Maggie Smith (So.), 19:34; 83. Joelle McDonald (Fr.), 21:17; 116. Claire Jepson (So.), 22:14; 124. Caitlin Hyers (Jr.), 22:20; 131. Grace Martinson (Jr.), 22:31; 149. Courtney Smoljan (Sr.), 22:54; 183. Elise Gillett (Fr.), 23:35; 193. Mallory Finley (So.), 23:45; 204. Sage Marten (Jr.), 24:03.