CA celebrates taking second place at the Regionals meet on October 17, 2019.

Third best-ever finish caps XC season

Colorado Academy’s Boys Cross Country team is coming off its third best finish ever, after taking Sixth Place at the 2019 3A State Cross Country meet on October 26 at the Norris-Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Though the Fall season may be finished, several team members will run later this month at the Nike Southwest Regional Meet in Phoenix, Arizona.

Seven CA boys qualified to run at the state meet, including Seniors Jonathan Fossel, Walt Jones, and Avery Lin, Sophomore Cole Siegler, and Freshmen Toren Knepper, Charlie Link, and Bradley Troyer.

Senior Walt Jones

Tough competition

The CA runners were up against some tough competition. Mason Norman of Classical Academy, who has been the top 3A runner for three consecutive seasons, finished with a time of 15:50. Owen Nolan of Skyview Academy was nearly 40 seconds behind. CA’s top finishers included Walt Jones in spot 20 with 17:34.3, Avery Lin at number 29 with 17:47.0, and Toren Knepper at spot number 30 with 17:48.5.

Far Right: Senior Avery Lin

“This was an incredible season with a really strong, dedicated group of boys and girls,” says Walt Jones. “I am incredibly proud to have trained all year with them, walking away with Sixth Place in the state and Second in our region. We are excited to take seven members of the boys’ team to Phoenix later in November to run the Nike Southwest Regional meet, and hopefully run some personal bests at sea level. A huge thank you to Coaches Annie Bennett, Steve Fossel, and Mike Stanitski for their invaluable help achieving our goals.”

Pre-race team huddle

Turning ideas into action

“One of CA’s action statements is turning ideas into action, challenging our students to become lifelong learners, thinkers, inquisitors, and contributors,” says Coach Annie Bennett. “That sums up what I believe is our job as coaches. We are here to challenge you to go out of your comfort zone, take hold of the opportunity offered to you, to work as a team, to be the best you can be, have fun, and remember running is a lifelong activity. The boys incorporated this philosophy into their training and racing this season, and it showed by their Sixth Place finish at the State Championships.”