By Olivia Ekpone | MileSplit USA
During the fall, Colorado was the only state that held onto the top spot on the girls MileSplit50 rankings. It would fluctuate between Niwot and Air Academy for the No. 1 ranked team dating back to the preseason release in September.
Each team won their respective classification title at states and Niwot won the NXR Southwest Regional title over Air Academy by 14 points, which was their only loss of the year. In the recent MileSplit50 rankings, Niwot was in control over the last three releases, but Air Academy sat right on its heels at spot No. 2.
There was one last opportunity for these programs to face each other. In the last race of the 2023, Niwot and Air Academy flew to Portland, Oregon for the Nike Cross Championships, which ultimately would be the deciding factor of which team would end up on top.
Which program ended up having the overall best season?
The MileSplit50 No. 1 team goes to Air Academy after their NXN victory and their consistent cross country season.
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It was a rainy and muddy morning to start the month of December. It was an even playing field for everyone competing for the NXN title.
Individually, Niwot’s sophomore Addison Ritzenhein grabbed the title in 17:10 while Air Academy’s Bethany Michalak finished in a close second with a 17:16.
Immediately NXN became a foot race to the finish as both programs were able to put their five scoring runners in the top 24.
The team title came down to an 11-point margin.
The Kadets solidified the championship title with 61 points to Cougar’s 72 all while making history. Air Academy became the first team in Colorado history to win NXN.
Michalak described winning the team title as a “fairytale ending” to her senior year.
It was a magical season for the Kadets as this team was undefeated until they faced Niwot at NXR Southwest Regionals. Throughout the year, Air Academy held onto the top 5K team average with a 17:24 while Niwot sat as the second-best team in the nation with a 17:26.
Additionally, Air Academy clocked the fastest performance ever at the Colorado State Cross Country Championships at the end of October, averaging 17:56.
It might be early to think about the 2024 cross country season, but Air Academy will only graduate Michalak this season. The next six best runners will return and can have an opportunity to defend their title.