Recently, our Lions cross country team has been phenomenal.
Special standouts on the team are: first team all-c honors winner Natalie Lueker, second team all-conference honors: Hank Chojnacki, Tyler West, Sofie Bailey and Tatum Pratt, honorable mention all-conference honors: Rowan Ingraham, Axel Fontaine and Grace Foresman.
The two most previous races before state were league and regionals. League was held at Jeffco 4A/5A League Meet in the North Area Athletic Complex. Regionals was held at 4A Region 2 Championship, Monument Valley Park in Colorado Springs.
Senior Tatum Pratt reminisces on the year and her previous seasons.
“League was really fun. I really enjoyed it and it’s a really good course. There’s a lot of different aspects and elements to it, so it’s really fun to be able to run it and then I love being able to run it with my team. It was my second to last race since I am a senior, so it was bittersweet, but it was good.”
While some senior’s races are coming to an end, many underclassmen are just beginning.
Xander Davis and Tyler West were two sophomore standouts from the races.
“I’m super happy that we made it to state this year, and the races that we’ve had, we’ve just been able to lift each other up and we’ve just been able to get new PRs and advance further in the competition,” said Davis.
“Each race we get better as a team and we come closer as a team through team bonding and stuff, which cool to see. Also, we did make it to state and we’re going to get a bunch of people,” said West.
Finally, the juniors on the team this year have been really really improving and amazing to see.
Stella Begly started out her first race with pneumonia.
“I was put back weeks because of that, and my first race was 26 minutes and I cut down to 22. So, that was crazy.”
Even though she was sick, Begly still really enjoyed the races and the team’s support. “I really appreciate the team’s support and how they all cheer me on, cheer all of us on, really. And at all of our races and how supportive the team really is.”
Junior Hank Chojnacki also was another amazing runner during both races.
“At League, we placed 3rd and at regionals we placed 4th (boy’s varsity). This is probably the most consistent team we’ve had in a while, although we were faster overall last year, we have better grouping and pack running which allows us to score better, and since time really doesn’t matter in cross, our distance in terms of place is what has allowed us to make it to state.”
Natalie Lueker is one of the most talented runners on the team and always has a positive outlook on races.
“I think this season, for my races, it’s been going really well. I’ve been putting more effort into them lately, and I’ve seen the result of my work.”
Alex Herrea also has enjoyed their improvement throughout the season.
“As far as my races, they haven’t gone as what I’ve expected, but I’m happier with my performance during them, even though my speed hasn’t improved, my performance and outlook on racing has improved.”
Lueker also explains the team’s support and overall performance during the races.
“Everyone supports each other and helps each other. I look forward to what’s coming next and to improve each other and help each other. In league I placed third and at regionals I placed fifth. The team overall at league for girl’s varsity placed second and at regionals we placed sixth.”
Overall every single runner has placed amazing and improved their skills. Be sure to read our article about State!
