Niwot track and field ready to 'slay' 2023 season

For the Niwot High School track and field team, "slay" isn't used in jest.

The trendy phrase is instead an acronym that head coach Maurice Henriques hopes can be a guiding force: Sacrifice. Loyalty. Accountability. Yearning. Every one of Niwot's approximately 140 athletes will be repping S.L.A.Y on the back of their T-shirts this spring season.

"Those are things that we've been talking about from the first day of practice," Henriques said. "We're asking our coaches and we're asking our athletes to make a sacrifice."

From the first practice on Feb. 27 through the Colorado state championships in May, Henriques is asking his team to commit fully for those 83 days. So far, he's been impressed by the energy flowing through a program that has won five combined Class 4A titles since 2019.

"I'm excited," Niwot's 14th-year head coach said. "(It's) a lot of young, eager kids that want to be a part of a community. They know that it's hard work and they're still wanting to come out and be a part of it."

The Niwot girls secured their third straight state trophy last season and return quite a few faces who helped make that happen, including seniors Kimora Northrup, Madison Shults and Margaret Gillett; juniors Julia Rudolph and Mia Prok; and sophomores Jade West and Amelia Holloway. Henriques' daughter, Eliana, is also a second-year Niwot runner who could have a big season in hurdles.

On the boys' side, the Cougars are coming off a second-place finish in 4A and are welcoming both familiar standouts and a handful of new names that impressed this winter. Those returning include seniors Ben Classen, Eric Walker, Carlos Kipkorir and sophomore Rocco Culpepper. Led by Culpepper, Henriques has confidence in his sophomore distance runners.

Kingston Staton stands a bit taller than most freshmen at around 6' 4", and he's also expected to have a strong rookie season. Additionally, Weston Domich, a wide receiver on Niwot's varsity football team, will be a jumper.

Henriques' staff is welcoming a pair of new assistants, too, in former Mullen head coach Darius Reed and former Riverdale Ridge head coach Craig Sherman. With jumps coach Bryant Strause, the former head coach at Denver South, and longtime Niwot cross country head coach Kelly Christensen also on board, the Cougars' staff doesn't lack experience.

"I feel blessed right now because we have so much good help that it's really going to be a fun season," Henriques said. "We want our kids to get better, but you have to have great coaches for your kids to be better."

On April 1, Niwot High School will be hosting its first ever on-campus meet with a total of 25 teams expected to attend, including seven of the top schools in Class 4A, according to Henriques. "It's going to be fireworks," he added.

Niwot opens its season at the RE-IJ District Meet on March 10 at Mead High School.