No. 4: Niwot (CO)
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Analysis: As the Niwot girls cross country team embarks on the 2024 season, they are stepping into a new era, making the leap from 4A to 5A competition. This move presents both challenges and opportunities, especially as they face off against some of the top teams in the nation, including Air Academy High School and Mountain Vista High School, all within the same classification. Despite the heightened competition, the Niwot girls remain confident in their ability to succeed. Leading the charge is junior Addison Ritzenhein, who was nothing short of dominant last year, capturing both the state and national titles in the 5K. Ritzenhein's exceptional performances earned her the Gatorade Colorado and National Girls Cross Country Player of the Year award, and she returns this season with the potential for even more accolades and titles.
Supporting Ritzenhein is a strong group of runners that bolsters Niwot's depth. Junior Anna Prok, who finished ninth at state last year, has had an impressive summer and is poised for another standout season. Alena Kasanicky brings experience to the lineup, while Avalon Beltran, returning from injury, is expected to play a key role in the team's success. Together, this talented squad is determined to maintain Niwot's status as one of the premier cross-country programs in the country, despite the challenges that come with their move to the 5A level.
COROS MILESPLIT50
PRESEASON GIRLS TEAM RANKINGS
*Click on the teams below for analysis
RANK | Team |
|---|---|
| 25 | Champlain Valley Union (Vt.) |
| 24 | Wayzata (Minn.) |
| 23 | Flower Mound (Tex.) |
| 22 | Saratoga Springs (N.Y.) |
| 21 | Timpview (Utah) |
| 20 | Jesuit Portland (Ore.) |
| 19 | East Aurora (N.Y.) |
| 18 | Brentwood (Tenn.) |
| 17 | Lincoln (Ore.) |
| 16 | Downers Grove North (Ill.) |
| 15 | Webb School (Knoxville, Tenn.) |
| 14 | Union Catholic Reg (N.J.) |
| 13 | Barrington (Ill.) |
| 12 | Romeo (Mich.) |
| 11 | Ventura (Calif.) |
| 10 | Lone Peak (Utah) |
| 9 | Bethlehem (N.Y.) |
| 8 | Santiago Corona (Calif.) |
| 7 | Cardinal Gibbons (N.C.) |
| 6 | JSerra Catholic (Calif.) |
| 5 | Trabuco Hills (Calif.) |
| 4 | Niwot (Colo.) |
| 3 | Buchanan (Calif.) |
| 2 | Mountain Vista (Colo.) |
| 1 | Air Academy (Colo.) |