Article by Kyle Newman | Denver Post
Whether it be on the snow, track or trail, Ella Hagen cannot be stopped.
The Summit senior won her second Class 4A cross country crown on Saturday at the Norris Penrose Event Center, adding to her impressive three-sport trophy case that already features championships in Nordic skate skiing as well as an array of track medals, including the 1,600-meter title.
The CU commit blew away the 4A field with a time of 17 minutes, 30.7 seconds, winning by 47.5 seconds over runner-up Cloe Ruth of Silver Creek. She was ahead by less than a second at the one-mile mark before quickly distancing herself from the field.
“This course is where I’ve kind of become the runner I am, and it’s taught me a lot,” Hagen said. “Today was special, and amazing.
“(Four state titles across three sports) is more than I ever imagined I’d be able to do. All three sports really fuel me. Being able to compete and win in all of them is incredible. They all feed off each other, and it shows what’s possible. I want people to realize you can do everything you love; you don’t necessarily have to pick one or the other. You can have all of it.”
Especially when you are as talented as Hagen, who, if not for Niwot star Addison Ritzenhein (whose Cougars moved up to Class 5A for cross country this fall, but will remain in 4A in track in the spring), would have a third title in cross country and a 3,200-meter title in track.
Hagen lost to Ritzenhein in both those races and also beat the nationally renowned distance runner two seasons ago at 4A state cross country to deal Ritzenhein a rare loss within Colorado.
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