Cougar boys cross country wins 5A state title

In a landmark season for Niwot High School's cross country program, the Cougars made an unforgettable debut at the Class 5A state level, securing a state title for the boys team and delivering impressive individual performances on the girls team.

The championship race took place at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, where Niwot's runners faced fierce competition and challenging terrain.

For the second consecutive year, Niwot's boys claimed a state cross country title, marking their first 5A championship after winning last year in 4A. The Cougar runners averaged an impressive time of 15:46, outpacing their closest competitors from Valor Christian High School, who averaged 16:00, and Castle View High School, who took third with a 16:09 average.

Leading the pack was junior Ryder Keeton, who finished fourth overall in 15:32.30, with fellow juniors Hunter Robbie and Gabriel Marshall close behind in sixth (15:34.00) and eighth (15:44.90), respectively. Senior Keegan Geldean placed 12th with a time of 15:51.90, while Cole Mazurana (25th), Quinn Sullivan (26th), and Rocco Culpepper (29th) rounded out the team's finishers.

Reflecting on the championship win, Culpepper expressed pride in the team's unity and perseverance. "Winning back-to-back state titles feels incredible. It's such a rewarding feeling after all the hard work we put in together," he said. Culpepper noted that the team's positive mindset and focus on supporting one another were crucial as they prepared for the championship race.

"Our training was essential–lots of teamwork and dedication," he said. "We held each other accountable and worked on our skills every day, which really paid off in the end." As the team looks ahead, Culpepper shared his hope to carry this momentum into national competitions and future seasons.

In the girls race, Niwot junior Addison Ritzenhein delivered a record-breaking performance to claim the individual state title, finishing in 16:54.62–an all-classification course record. Ritzenhein's time shattered the previous record of 16:59.20, set two years ago by Brooke Wilson of Valor Christian. She finished 27 seconds ahead of the runner-up, underscoring her dominance on the challenging Norris Penrose course.

This victory adds to Ritzenhein's growing list of accomplishments. Last year, she won the 4A title with a time of 17:08.20, following a runner-up finish in 2022. Her consistent improvement has been impressive for the runner world to watch.

The Niwot girls team placed fifth overall in their first 5A season, averaging an 18:42 pace. Following Ritzenhein's victory, junior Anna Prok finished 22nd in 18:32.22, with sophomore Elise Hagen in 32nd at 18:49.79. Eleanor Ottem, a senior, crossed the line in 19:36.95 for 60th place, followed closely by junior Avalon Beltran in 63rd. Scarlett Parks and Eloise Boyd completed the Cougar team, placing 70th and 102nd, respectively.

Niwot's transition to 5A has proven to be a powerful testament to the strength and depth of the program. With back-to-back titles for the boys and individual championships for the girls, the Cougars have solidified their reputation as a cross country powerhouse. As both teams look toward national competitions and next season, they carry the pride of a program that has thrived among the nation's elite.