Student Athlete of the Week: Eleanor Ottem

Competing in the state championships was a well-deserved ending to Eleanor Ottem's high school cross country career.

After spending last year on junior varsity, the Niwot senior landed a varsity spot this fall and ultimately earned herself a trip to Colorado Springs for the Class 5A state meet on Saturday, Nov. 2. As the only senior on Niwot's girls team, she placed 60th (19 minutes, 37 seconds) at the challenging Norris Penrose Event Center course.

Filled with emotion, Ottem expressed her gratitude and pride representing Niwot on Colorado's biggest stage.

"This year has been so special," Ottem said. "This is my first year running varsity, so this is my first year at regionals or state. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It's been so special to watch all these girls be able to run together and work together."

Ottem added that a positive mindset fueled her speedy rise from JV to the state championships.

"Having gratitude and finding things to be grateful for in the sport and day-to-day," Ottem credited for her recent growth. "Being grateful for my teammates and my training and then putting that into races, that part has really helped."

The Niwot girls placed fifth in the team standings with junior Addison Ritzenhein taking first place while setting a new course record (16:54.7).

For some, being on JV as an upperclassman is too much to bear. Ottem, however, remained patient, quieted her ego, and trusted that her work ethic would eventually yield varsity success.

"Last year, we had five or six seniors that were on the team, so there were a lot of people that were above me that I was looking up to," Ottem said. "This year, when I got back from the summer, I realized, 'Hey, there could be a place for me.' Not that there wasn't before... It was just that my mindset had shifted. I knew that if I worked hard, regardless of the outcome, I could see progress this season."

Even if the results didn't come, Ottem knew that her effort was something to be proud of.

"I just wanted to end my high school season with work that I was really grateful for," Ottem said. That really propelled me forward. At the beginning, I was really trying to work towards getting to run with all the girls. Looking back on that, it's insane that I've gotten to this place."

With hopes of running in college, Ottem aims to continue working hard ahead of the spring track and field season.

"Especially after this season, I'm so excited to see what else I can do," Ottem said. "I've spent so long thinking, 'Oh, this is the end.' It's really not. This is only the beginning for me. I'm really, really excited to see where else this will take me."