At the Rocky Mountain League Championships held at Riverdale Regional Park & Fairgrounds, Boulder High School's cross country teams once again proved their dominance, showcasing depth on both the boys' and girls' sides. With a commanding display, they set the stage for a strong postseason, as they head confidently towards regionals.
Boys' Race: Boulder's Pack Unstoppable
The Boulder boys came out with intent, securing an impressive team victory. Led by Lucas Wik, who crossed the line in 16:57.4, the Panthers placed five runners in the top six—a feat that demonstrated their teamwork and strength. The tight grouping of Ulysses Paulsrud, Cooper Draves, and Toby Wong, all finishing within seconds of one another at 16:57.5, created an unbeatable pack. Jack Rhodes finished just behind them, claiming 5th in 16:58.8.
Though Northglenn's Koet Stafford (6th, 16:59.1) and Mountain Range's Tad Rabenhorst (8th, 17:27.5) tried to disrupt Boulder's grip on the race, their efforts fell short. Boulder's impressive depth, with an average time of 16:57, secured them the top team honors.
Girls' Race: Boulder Clinches Victory with Tactical Precision
The girls' race saw a similar display of excellence from Boulder, as they captured the team title. Leading the charge was freshman Lucy Friend, who finished 3rd overall in 19:33.8, followed closely by teammates Anika Leovy (19:34.7), Sophia Africa (19:35.1), and Rachel Tilton (19:35.2). The top five was rounded out by senior Abby O'Leary, whose 7th-place finish in 19:42.8 helped secure a team total of just 25 points.
Despite a blazing individual performance from Riverdale Ridge's Payton Meineke, who won the race in 17:22.9, and a strong 2nd-place showing from Mountain Range's Daxton Almeida (19:33.5), Boulder's pacing and tight pack racing allowed them to victory. Mountain Range's Caroline Vos (9th, 20:47.0) also finished in the top 10, but it wasn't enough to close the gap on Boulder.
Team Results:
• Boulder Boys Team Score: 16 points (1st place)
• Boulder Girls Team Score: 25 points (1st place)
Looking Ahead:
With their league championships behind them, Boulder now turns its focus to Regionals at Broomfield County Commons on October 24. The Panthers will look to maintain their momentum and sharpen their form as they continue their march toward state competition.
