Niwot Wins State Cross Country Title; Cherokee Trail's Lange Takes Individual Crown

Niwot defeated the field to claim the 2026 Class 5A state cross country championship on Saturday, October 31. The race took place at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.

Niwot accumulated 47 points to secure the team title. Boulder followed in second place with 100 points, and Fairview placed third with 116 points. Heritage finished fourth at 155 points, and Arapahoe rounded out the top five with 201 points.

Cherokee Trail's Madison Lange ran the fastest time of the day to win the individual state championship. She finished the course in 17 minutes and 28 seconds. Ella McGowan of Heritage placed second with a time of 17 minutes, 53.6 seconds, and Sophie Roza of Boulder took third at 18 minutes, 08.6 seconds.

Cherokee Trail placed ninth as a team with 274 points. The school fielded several runners in the top 120. Jenna Winn of Eaglecrest finished eighth individually in 18 minutes, 40.8 seconds. Other Cherokee Trail runners included Clara Kapfer, who placed 52nd, and Kaylee Tait, who finished 73rd.

The final team standings listed Rock Canyon in 20th place with 453 points. Cherry Creek also scored 453 points for the 19th position. The event concluded with the official posting of these team and individual results.