No shock here — Katie Rainsberger of Air Academy has been named Colorado’s Gatorade girls cross country runner of the year.
The senior has substantial credentials. She won the Nike Cross Nationals the past season in 16 minutes, 56.8 seconds and did not lose a race. She won Colorado’s Class 4A championship in a record 17:39, her second in her career (along with two runners-up showings) and led her Kadets to the team title. She also won the Nike Cross Regional in 17:07.
“Despite Katie’s remarkable talent, she’s humble and puts her team before herself,” Air Academy coach Steve Rischling said. “She is a once-in-a-career runner, but she’s still a better person than she is a runner.”
Rainsberger has a 4.49 grade-point average. She’s a member of the National Honor Society and sports editor of her school newspaper, and has volunteered locally on behalf of the USATF as well as charity road races. She received the Sportswomen of Colorado 2015 High School Cross Country Award and been been honored as a student-athlete by Rotary Club International and The Denver Post.
Rainsberger will run for Oregon.
