1. Niwot (CO)
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Analysis: Firepower. That's a good way to describe the Niwot High School girls, which have two low-sticks in rising sophomore Addison Ritzenhein and senior Mia Prok. Both athletes have the ability to scorch any 5K course they tackle, and chances are they will in 2023.
What's more, though, the Cougars have five total returners back in 2023, from a team that finished second at NXN, won NXR Southwest and scored 20 points in its Colorado Class 4A state title race.
That's scary good. Plus, there should be no concern for depth, considering Niwot annually holds a large team with plenty of up-and-coming athletes. There's also the team's returning 5K average of 17:51.88, which is only second to Buchanan (CA).
So the consensus? This team will be really fun to watch this fall. Prok has been blitzing courses since her freshman year, and 2023 will be her swan song in a Niwot uniform. Ritzenhein had a stellar freshman campaign, and all indications point to her being even better this year.
Right now, Niwot is the girls team to beat nationally.
RANK | DATE - TEAM |
|---|---|
| 25 | Aug. 29 -- Northwest Nelson (TX) |
| 24 | Aug. 29 -- Minnetonka (MN) |
| 23 | Aug. 29 -- Assumption (KY) |
| 22 | Aug. 29 -- Rancho Cucamonga (CA) |
| 21 | Aug. 29 -- Los Altos (CA) |
| 20 | Aug. 30 -- Campolindo (CA) |
| 19 | Aug. 31 -- North Allegheny (PA) |
| 18 | Sept. 1 -- Ventura (CA) |
| 17 | Sept. 2 -- Boise Senior (ID) |
| 16 | Sept. 3 -- Lucas Lovejoy (TX) |
| 15 | Sept. 5 -- American Fork (UT) |
| 14 | Sept. 6 -- The Webb School (TN) |
| 13 | Sept. 7 -- JSerra Catholic (CA) |
| 12 | Sept. 7 -- Portland Jesuit (OR) |
| 11 | Sept. 7 -- Elmhurst York (IL) |
| 10 | Sept. 7 -- Southlake Carroll (TX) |
| 9 | Sept. 8 -- Mt. Prospect (IL) |
| 8 | Sept. 8 -- Mountain Vista (CO) |
| 7 | Sept. 8 -- Saratoga Springs (NY) |
| 6 | Sept. 8 -- Cuthbertson (NC) |
| 5 | Sept. 9 -- Flower Mound (TX) |
| 4 | Sept. 9 -- Air Academy (CO) |
| 3 | Sept. 9 -- Lone Peak (UT) |
| 2 | Sept. 9 -- Buchanan (CA) |
| 1 | Sept. 9 -- Niwot (CO) |