Winning championships has become commonplace for The Classical Academy girls cross country program.

For the past three years, the Titans were the best team in Class 3A. That success in the fall finally translated to the spring when the Titans won their inaugural track title last season.

"We had a very good season a year ago," fourth-year coach Tim Daggett said.

Although many observers believe the Titans will reach the state summit again this season, Daggett is optimistic.

"We have a talented team, but we're very young," Daggett said.

The Classical Academy has senior Krissa Travis back, along with juniors Anna Meugge and Haely Smith, and sophomores Kelsey Brown, Ally Eno and Tabea St. Louis.

Those six were crucial to the state success of the Titans' relay teams. The 1,600-meter relay squad won a state title, the 800 and 3,200 teams placed second, and the 400 relay team finished fourth.

Joining the Titans' potent returnees will be freshman Kaitlin Hanenburg. Hanenburg was the runner-up at the 3A cross country meet in the fall.

"Sometimes in girls track it's harder to tell who the favorite to win state is, but TCA is going to be very tough again," La Junta track coach Bob Hinkhouse said.

• Denver Christian leads the list of teams who could derail the Titans' shot at repeating. Denver Christian placed second at state, 17 points behind The Classical Academy.

The Crusaders are led by senior Abby Weedor, a standout in multiple events. Last season, Weedor won the triple jump and was second in the long jump and 100 meters. She also was third in the 200.

"We certainly have high hopes for Abby," Denver Christian coach Russ Smith said. "We also should have some decent sprinters and solid relay teams."

• Platte Canyon will counter with the dynamic duo of senior Kristen McGlynn and junior Katelyn Houghton. In 2006, McGlynn cruised to state titles in the 1,600 and 3,200. Houghton was the runner-up in the 100 hurdles.

Platte Canyon coach Chris Hendrick said the Huskies also have a strong freshman class and might be able to finish in the top three at state.

• Cedaredge, which placed fourth at state last year, also is a viable championship contender.

The Bruins are led by seniors Andrea Ramos and Kassidy Benson and junior Emily Cotharn. Ramos and Cotharn finished third and fourth in the 300 hurdles, and Benson was third in the high jump as a sophomore.

• Pagosa Springs has seniors Kim Fulmer and Jessica Lunch back. Both are solid contributors in the 400 and the relays.

"I always try to be optimistic, but it's so early right now and I don't know what is going to happen with my team," said Connie O'Donnell.

3A Girls Startling Line

CLASS 3A GIRLS TOP 10

1 The Classical Academy: The Titans are loaded again, especially in the distance events.

2 Denver Christian: Abby Weedor is a threat to win state in multiple events for the Crusaders.

3 Platte Canyon: The Huskies return 10 letter winners and six state qualifiers.

4 Cedaredge: Seniors Andrea Ramos and Kassidy Benson should power a tough Bruins squad.

5 Pagosa Springs: Seniors Kim Fulmer and Jessica Lunch should pack plenty of punch for the Pirates. 6 Hotchkiss: Talent is not a question with this team. Depth is a concern for the Bulldogs at state.

7 Erie: The Tigers have a stable of nine state qualifiers back in the mix.

8 Gunnison: Six state qualifiers return for the Cowboys, led by junior hurdler Ellie Wills.

9 Roosevelt: Six state qualifiers are back, including sophomore sprinter Katie Kielian.

10 La Junta: The Tigers always are a dangerous team, especially in the weight events.

Top returnees

AthleteSchoolYear

Annita Alvarez Eaton So.

State finish: Second, shot put

Jenna Bohnen Erie Sr.

State finish: First, discus

Jamie Christensen Brush Jr.

State finish: Third, 3,200

Cora Gann Peyton So.

State finish: Third, 3,200 (2A)

Jessica Giltner Holy Family Jr.

State finish: Second, 800; third, 1,600

Katelyn Houghton Platte Canyon Jr.

State finish: Second, 100 hurdles

Jacy Jacobson Buena Vista Jr.

State finish: Second, high jump

Katie Kielian Roosevelt So.

State finish: Second, 400

Katarina Lott Erie Sr.

State finish: Third, 400

Kristen McGlynn Platte Canyon Sr.

State finish: First, 1,600; first, 3,200

Carlee Morgan Gunnison Jr.

State finish: First, pole vault

Andrea Ramos Cedaredge Sr.

State finish: Third, 300 hurdles

Abby Weedor Denver Christian Sr.

State finish: First, triple jump; second, 100; second, long jump; third, 200

Margaret Weingart Peak to Peak Jr.

State finish: First, 300 hurdles; third, 100 hurdles

Shari Yosinki C.S. Christian Sr.

State finish: Third, pole vault

Other top returnees

Annita Alvarez, Eaton, So., State finish: 2nd, shot put

Natalie Asher, Arrupe-Jesuit, Sr.

Kassidy Benson, Cedaredge, Sr.

Jarrell Bittlestion, Jr., Ellicott

Jenna Bohnen, Erie, Sr. State finish: 1st, discus

Kelsey Brown, The Classical Academy, So.

Becca Bultje, Colorado Springs Christian School, Fr.

Jennifer Canady, Peyton, Sr.

Jamie Christensen, Brush, Jr. State finish: 3rd, 3200

Heidi Clark, Erie, Sr.

Elsa Coleman, Peyton, Sr.

Emily Cotharn, Cedaredge, Jr.

Kereghan Coups, Buena Vista, Jr.

Betsy Curtis, Hotchkiss, Jr.

Jenny Davis, Hotchkiss, Jr.

Minden Dice, Erie, Sr.

Torre Eastin, Yuma, So.

Jamie Ehrlich, Platte Valley, Sr.

Ally Eno, The Classical Academy, So.

Kayla Flannary, Peyton, Sr.

Brittany Fletcher, Erie, Sr.

Sammi Frankmore, La Junta, So.

Kat Frink, Yuma, So.

Patty Frye, Buena Vista, Jr.

Kim Fulmer, Pagosa Springs, Sr.

Cora Gann, Peyton, So.

Jessica Giltner, Holy Family, Jr. State finish: 2nd, 800, 3rd, 1600

Shelby Goss, Colorado Springs Christian, So.

Amber Habermann, La Junta, Jr.

Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy, Fr.

Sara Heizer, Roosevelt, So.

Tori Henrie, Jr., Hotchkiss

Cass Henien, Hotchkiss, Jr.

Mayra Herrera. Roosevelt, So.

Lindsay Hestermann, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.

Maggie Hothan, Peyton, So.

Katelyn Houghton, Platte Canyon, Jr. State finish: 2nd, in 100 hurdles

Becca Huffman, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.

Jacy Jacobson, Buena Vista, Jr. State finish: 2nd, high jump

Sherry Jesse, Yuma, So.

Katie Kielian, Roosevelt, So. State finish: 2nd, 400

Sara Kielian, Roosevelt, Jr.

Brittanae Kirby, Manitou Springs, Sr.

Jen Kruse, Colorado Springs Christian, Sr.

Miranda Link, Roosevelt, So.

Sari Little, Peyton, Jr.

Katarina Lott, Erie, Sr. State finish: 3rd, 400

Emily Lubbers. Yuma, So,

Jessica Lynch, Pagosa Springs, Sr.

Brianne Maestas, Platte Valley, Jr.

Ayanna Marshall, La Junta, Jr.

Kazia Marshall, La Junta, So.

Kristen McGlynn, Platte Canyon, Sr. State finish: 1st, 1600; 1st, 3200

Katie McKim, Erie, Jr.

Anna Meugge, The Classical Academy, Jr.

Marie Mondragon, La Junta, Sr.

Carlee Morgan, Gunnison, Jr. State finish: 1st, pole vault

Sarah Newberry, Manitou Springs, Sr.

Kristin Ozello, La Junta, So.

Rychelle Pikel, Buena Vista, Jr.

Cassie Pierce, Peyton, So.

Andrea Ramos, Cedaredge, Sr., State finish: 3rd, 300 hurdles

Tara Rivera-Mendez, Arrupe-Jesuit, Sr.

Hope Ross, Manitou Springs, Sr.

Kailey Sauter, Hotchkiss, So.

Hannah Selke, Ellicott, Sr.

Janae Shaw, Manitou Springs, Sr.

Mary Shepard, La Junta, Sr.

Alyssa Sinner, Platte Valley, So.

Haley Smith, The Classical Academy, Jr.

Rachel Smoljan, Erie, So.

Morgan Spencer, Yuma, So.

Abby Sponangle, Platte Valley, Sr.

Suzanne Stasi, Manitou Springs, So.

Tabea St. Louis, The Classical Academy, So.

Claudia Temmer, Hotchkiss, Jr.

Krissa Travis, The Classical Academy, Sr.

Ashley Trimbach, Colorado Springs Christian School, Jr.

Alex Ulrich, Ellicott, So.

Erika Vandeputten, Manitou Springs, Sr.

Kelsey Waldorf, Manitou Springs, Jr.

Shelby Walker, La Junta, Sr.

Kayla Warehime, Platte Valley, Sr.

Abby Weedor, Denver Christian, Sr. State finish: 1st, triple jump; 2nd, 100; 2nd, long jump; 3rd, 200

Margaret Weingart, Peak to Peak, Jr. State finish: 1st, 300 hurdles; 3rd, 100 hurdles

Ellie Wills, Yuma, Jr.

Stephanie Widner, Hotchkiss, Jr.

Shari Yosinki, Colorado Springs Christian School, Sr. State finish: 3rd, pole vault

Danielle Zehnder, Platte Valley, Jr.

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