May 19th 2024.
The powerful Niwot girls track team continued their reign of dominance at the state championships in Lakewood. With their eighth title since 2013 and fifth consecutive win, the Cougars showed no signs of slowing down. Their victory was never in question, as they finished with 158 points, a staggering 98-point lead over the runner-up team, Windsor.
Led by an incredibly talented group of athletes, Niwot claimed five individual titles and three relay titles. The sophomore standout, Addison Ritzenhein, took home gold in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters, while junior Reese Kasper won the 300-meter hurdles. Junior Jade West also had a standout performance, winning both the discus and shot put events. The Cougars' dominance extended to the relay races, with wins in the 800, 1,600, and 3,200 relays.
Coach Maurice Henriques, in his 14th year at Niwot, attributes their success to their versatility. This year's team excelled in sprints, relays, hurdles, and jumps, and have also shown improvement in areas like throwing, thanks to the contributions of athletes like Jade West. As a result, their margin of victory has only continued to increase, with their first state title coming by just 70 points.
The theme for the Cougars this season was "encourage," and they had an extra motivation to compete at the state championships. Assistant coach Craig Sherman has been battling cancer, and the team wanted to run for him. Sophomore Addison Ritzenhein shared how tough it has been for them to see their coach go through such a difficult time, but they wanted to show their love and support for him through their performances on the track.
Niwot will be moving up to Class 5A in track and field in 2026, making next year their final chance to secure a 4A title. However, with the amount of talent and potential on their team, they will still be a strong contender even in the highest classification.
In a thrilling race for the 5A girls title, Rock Canyon High School made history by winning their first track and field championship. With 71 points, they narrowly beat out Fossil Ridge and Mountain Vista for the top spot. This achievement was a highlight for the school, which had also won their first Continental League title earlier in the season.
Led by junior Petra McGowan's gold in the high jump and a win in the 800-meter sprint medley relay, the Jaguars' depth and versatility were key to their success. Coach Dan Davies, in his 21st year at Rock Canyon, emphasized the importance of every athlete being ready to compete in multiple events, and their dedication paid off with this historic win.
Senior Megan Witkiewicz, who will be attending the University of Wyoming for track and field, shared that the team had been talking about this moment since their first meeting before the season started. Their hard work and belief in making school history paid off, and their second-place finish in the 400-meter relay solidified their title.
Cherokee Trail junior Kaeli Powe finally claimed the top spot in the Class 5A triple jump, after finishing second in the event for the past two years. She credits her success to her intense offseason training, which included weightlifting and running hills every Saturday morning. Despite her previous struggles at Jeffco Stadium, she performed to the best of her ability and left with the gold.
Powe's competition, Eaglecrest freshman Zenobia Witt, also had an impressive showing at the state championships. She won the long jump and anchored her team's first-place finishes in the 400-meter and 800-meter relays. She believes her performances have put her on the map and is excited to continue competing against Powe in the upcoming years.
Dayspring Christian senior Eboselulu Omofoma had a memorable final state championship, winning her 10th career title in the 100-meter hurdles. She spoke about the camaraderie and sportsmanship among her competitors, and how it has helped her perform better on the track. Omofoma also dominated in the triple jump, setting a new 2A girls meet record and earning her 11th total title.
As she reflects on her high school track and field career, Omofoma will miss the sense of camaraderie and support from her fellow athletes. She credits her success to her dedication and hard work during the offseason, which has made her a champion in both the hurdles and jumps.
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