Who made our all-state team

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY PREP HONORS

Niwot’s Ryder Keeton approaches the finish line during the Class 5A boys cross country state championships at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs on Nov. 2. ALISSA NOE — BOCOPREPS.COM

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By Alissa Noe

anoe@prairiemountainmedia.com

Niwot boys cross country shined in its first season under the Class 5A banner, winning the state meet over Valor Christian by just 33 points. The feat, naturally, resulted in CHSAA coach of the year honors for Kelly Christensen, as well as a number of nods on CHSAA’s all-state team.

The Cougars enjoyed seven selections in all, starting with juniors Ryder Keeton (fourth at state, 15 minutes, 32.30 seconds) and Daily Camera runner of the year Hunter Robbie (sixth, 15:34) on first team. Junior Gabriel Marshall (eighth, 15:44.90) and senior Keegan Geldean (12th, 15:51.90) were next in tow, which placed them squarely on second team.

Senior Cole Mazurana (25th, 16:08.80), sophomore Quinn Sullivan (26th, 16:10.10) and junior Rocco Culpepper (29th, 16:12.20) rounded out Niwot’s representation on honorable mention, which Boulder junior trio Lucas Wik (18th, 16:04.60), Toby Wong (22nd, 16:07.20) and Cooper Draves (23rd, 16:07.40) also joined.

Holy Family senior Parker Nelson led the local 4A pack at 13th with a time of 16:08.77, landing him on second team, as his teammate, senior Garrett Smith (29th, 16:39.49), joined him through honorable mention.

Longmont’s Miles Miller, the Times-Call runner of the year, missed second team by one spot, instead finding himself on honorable mention after placing 15th (16:17.71) ahead of his fellow honorees, seniors Julien Frazier (36th, 16:45.89) and Christian Price (48th, 16:59.02). Mead, likewise, enjoyed a couple of honorable mentions from sophomores Josh Knight (33rd, 16:44.76) and Asher Parsons (46th, 16:55.56).

In 3A, Peak to Peak senior Jack Cerullo led the way with his bronze (16:18.85) and a first-team placement, and his fellow Puma, senior Emory Vasquez, joined him via honorable mention (48th, 17:41.54).

Jefferson Academy seniors Aden Garza (16:33.22) and Rylan Mills (16:36.54) finished sixth and ninth, respectively, but split between first and second team. Sophomore Judah Wilson (29th, 17:17.64), junior Chase Wittman (38th, 17:27.93) and senior Eliot Lindberg (50th, 17:42.57) all had their names etched into honorable mention.

Prospect Ridge Academy senior Nicholas Shoemaker (14th, 17:01.59) and junior Brody Bender (36th, 17:24.93) took it home for 3A on second team and honorable mention. Lyons junior James Newell, down in 2A, enjoyed an honorable mention for his 42nd-place effort (18:16.03).