The Class 5A Dakota Ridge girls team benefited greatly from the family move that brought in junior Kaitie Vanatta, a two-time 4A state champion at Ralston Valley. Teamed with sisters Alexa and Natosha Rogers, the Eagles enter the season as heavy favorites. The defending state champion boys team should contend again with the top returner in Evan Appel. In 3A, The Classical Academy has established itself as the program to beat. The girls team has won four consecutive team titles, and the boys are defending champions as well. A fourth classification, 2A, will be added to the mix next season.
Boys
Top teams
Class 5A
1. Cherry Creek; 2. Wheat Ridge;
3. Dakota Ridge.
Class 4A
1. Battle Mountain; 2. Cheyenne Mountain; 3. Rock Canyon.
Class 3A
1. The Classical Academy; 2. Rocky Ford; 3. Monte Vista.
Runners to watch:
Aaron Alarcon, Roosevelt, Jr.; Evan Appel, Dakota Ridge, Jr.; Scott Ingram, Cheyenne Mountain, Sr.; Joseph Manilafasha, North, Jr.; Martin Medina, Grand Junction, Sr.; Victor Montoya, Rocky Ford, Jr.; Bobby Nicolls, Regis, Jr.; Andrew Roberts, Lyons, Jr.; Jonny Stevens, Battle Mountain, Sr.; Charlie White, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Kevin Williams, D’Evelyn, Sr.
Girls
Top teams
Class 5A
1. Dakota Ridge; 2. Cherry Creek;
3. Fort Collins.
Class 4A
1. Thompson Valley; 2. Mullen;
3. Glenwood Springs.
Class 3A
1. The Classical Academy;
2. Pagosa Springs; 3. Bayfield.
Runners to watch:
Jen Bremser, Sand Creek, Jr.; Lauren Dorsey Spitz, Pueblo Centennial, Jr.; Clare Gallagher, Cherry Creek, So.; Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Lauren Johnson, Cherry Creek, Sr.; Alexa Rogers, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Natosha Rogers, Dakota Ridge, Jr.; Alexis Skarda, Fairview, Sr.; Lindsey Sowards, Alamosa, Jr.; Samantha Thompson, Sierra, Jr.; Kaitie Vanatta, Dakota Ridge, Jr.
