Alan Versaw had a clean slate at The Classical Academy when he decided to get back into the coaching ranks. Almost too clean.
Versaw’s cross country teams would become the first to compete on the varsity level for the K-12 charter school in Colorado Springs. Looking back, who would have thought that a Class 3A powerhouse could be built on such a thin foundation?
“Everything about that first year was interesting,” Versaw said. “We only had four boys and no girls, and the boys were all freshmen because we were a new school.”
That was in 2001. In 2003, the girls cross country team won the school’s first state championship. The next year, both the boys and girls teams won it all. All told, the girls side has won four consecutive 3A team titles, and the boys have won two of the past three.
The Titans do not appear to be slowing down as the gun is raised for the start of Colorado’s cross country state championships on Saturday at El Pomar Youth Sports Complex in Colorado Springs, its final season to host one of the fall’s popular finales.
“All my individual goals start at the state meet, so I’m really excited,” Titans sophomore Kaitlin Hanenburg said.
Hanenburg finished second at the state meet last season with a time of 19 minutes, 20 seconds in the 5-kilometer race. Under Versaw’s guidance, she recorded a personal-best 18:41 earlier this season, so expect to see Hanenburg way out in front as she charges through the last few hundred meters to the finish line.
Hanenburg is also a direct link to the early days of the Titans’ fledgling cross country program. Her older sister, Emily, placed in the top six three times from 2002-05, including a runner-up finish, before joining the University of Colorado team.
“When my sister ran here (as a freshman), there were only five girls on the team,” Kaitlin said.
This season, Versaw had to juggle a roster that included 20 names on the girls side and 14 for boys.
“It’s an odd problem to have,” Versaw said. “Most coaches are in a position where they are just trying to fill a roster. I’m trying to find enough races for everyone to run. … Certainly, success is a really good recruiter.”
Versaw said his girls team is so deep that the second group of five runners would have placed third at the regional meet. The boys, meanwhile, don’t have that kind of depth, but the talent at the top is undeniable.
Senior Trevor Waliszewski finished second at state as a sophomore, clocking a 16:40.10. He lost nearly a minute off that time last season but should be back near the top this season.
“I think the boys competition is going to be as interesting of a 3A race as I’ve ever had,” Versaw said.
In 5A, the Dakota Ridge girls show little weakness. Two-time 4A state champion Kaitie Vanatta appears to be healthy and on track for her first big-school title. Sisters Natosha and Alexa Rogers threaten to give Dakota Ridge a 1-2-3 finish at state.
For the boys, Charles White of Cherry Creek, Evan Appel of Dakota Ridge and Bobby Nicolls of Regis figure to be the top contenders.
For 4A, North’s Joseph Manilafasha is the favorite to defend his boys title. And it should come down to a handful of junior girls, including Pueblo Centennial’s Lauren Dorsey-Spitz.
2007 state cross country championships
On Saturday at The Vineyard Golf Course/El Pomar Youth Sports Complex in Colorado Springs.
Schedule
: 10 a.m. 3A girls
10:30 a.m. 4A boys
11 a.m. 5A girls
11:30 a.m. 3A boys
Noon 4A girls
12:30 p.m. 5A boys
Note: There will be team (minimum five entrants) and individual medalists.
