FORT COLLINS — Buena Vista’s Joseph DeMoor was trying to erase 41 years of history in his chase for perfection.
The Demons senior became the first Buena Vista boys champion since Dan Crist in 1967 when he cruised to nearly a 16-second victory over defending champion Andrew Roberts of Lyons in the Class 3A race at Fossil Ridge.
“I’m sure (Crist) was encouraging me from wherever he is,” said DeMoor, who went 9-for-9 in races he entered this season. “It’s kind of setting in now. I was a little shocked to win by that much. I thought it would come right down to the finish.”
Just 800 meters into the race, DeMoor planned to start “pounding the course and striving for home” over the final 2 1/2 miles and make people chase him. Brush’s Amos Bowen, who finished third, fell back at the mile mark, leaving just Roberts to give chase.
“(Joseph) ran a great race. More power to him for going out the way he did and finishing,” said Roberts, who helped Lyons to a second-place team finish. “I ran a great race, he was just tough to get.”
The Classical Academy’s Sam Feldotto finished fourth and paced the Titans to their third boys title since 2004. John Metzger (11th), Jacob Mueller (18th) and Josh Simkins (20th) helped TCA score 53 points to Lyons’ 69.
Deju vu was the theme in the girls race that saw the same 1-2 finish for the individual and team titles as last year.
Kaitlin Hanenburg of The Classical Academy had to sprint for her second consecutive state championship to stay ahead of Middle Park sophomore Samantha Berggren. Hanenburg was clocked at 17:47.6, and Berggren finished 3 seconds back.
“It was amazing, not necessarily back to back, but it was great to win again,” Hanenburg said.
Hanenburg, freshman Shelby Stableford, junior Emily Lavalley and senior Kassie Mazzocco finished 1-3-5-7 to lead the Titans to their sixth consecutive team title with 16 points. Salida, behind Lauren Policky, was second with 111.
Haneburg said she liked being pushed by Berggren at the end. Last year, Berggren jumped out early in the race only to be reeled in.
“I wanted not quite as an aggressive start as I did last year,” said Berggren, who turned 16 on Saturday. “I kind of set myself up in that first 400 meters and just tried to stay in that top half and whoever was left just keep picking them off.”
Stableford finished in 18:17.5 to place third, and St. Mary’s junior Kara Slavoski was fourth with a time of 18:31.4.
CLASS 3A
BOYS
Team scores — The Classical Academy 53, Lyons 69, Colorado Academy 105, Faith Christian 108, Bayfield 110, Erie 152, Pagosa Springs 156, Basalt 192, University 198, Salida 220, Gunnison 237, Brush 248, La Junta 254, Peyton 263, Eaton 283, Clear Creek 313, Sheridan 325, Holy Family 343.
Individuals — Joseph DeMoor, Buena Vista, 15 minutes, 28.50 seconds; Andrew Roberts, Lyons, 15:44.35; Amos Bowen, Brush, 15:59.90; Sam Feldotto, TCA, 16:12.20; Gabe Toepel, Brighton Collegiate, 16:26.55; Dylan Donohoe, Lyons, 16:33.25; Nick Taylor, Colorado Academy, 16:35.25; Jackson Walsh, Pagosa Springs, 16:43.90; Melake Getabecha, Colorado Academy, 16:45.05; Tanner Phelps, Bayfield, 16:47.85; John Metzger, TCA, 16:49.40; Thomas Hoffman, Platte Canyon, 16:53.05; Marshall Cornelius, Erie, 16:53.30; Evan Fortney, Faith Christian, 16:55.15; Derek Lovato, Erie 16:57.00; Sam Hutchison, University, 16:58.65; Josh Noriega, Salida, 17:04.35; Jacob Mueller, TCA, 17:04.60; Ryan Poland, Denver Christian, 17:07.80; Josh Simkins, TCA, 17:08.70.
GIRLS
Team scores — The Classical Academy 16, Salida 111, Peak to Peak 122, Estes Park 125, Pagosa Springs 128, Discovery Canyon 135, Brush 142, St. Mary’s 164, Middle Park 179, Gunnison 195, Buena Vista 241, Holy Family 247, Erie 247, Hotchkiss 263, St. Mary’s Academy 271, University 297, Kent Denver 330.
Individuals — Kaitlin Hanenburg, TCA, 17 minutes, 47.6 seconds; Samantha Berggren, Middle Park, 17:50.7; Shelby Stableford, TCA, 18:17.5; Kara Slavoski, St. Mary’s, 18:31.4; Emily Lavalley, TCA, 18:43.7; Melissa Roberts, Lyons, 19:04.5; Kassie Mazzocco, TCA, 19:08.3; Chiara Del Piccolo, Basalt, 19:08.4; Johanna Reed, Basalt, 19:15.6; Brandi Krieg, Grand Valley, 19:19.5; Jhenya Nahreini, Peak to Peak, 19:32.9; Hannah Cooling, Buena Vista, 19:38.2; Sarah Goss, Brush, 19:44.7; Lauren Policky, Salida, 19:51.2; Victoria Milano, Brush, 19:54.7; Beth Jones, Eaton, 19:55.8; Emily Husted, TCA, 19:56.5; Cassie Pierce, Peyton, 19:57.6; Jacie Harms, Pagosa Springs, 19:58.5; Kim Hansen, Estes Park, 20:00.8.
Brian Forbes contributed to this report.
