By Zev Caiyem | MileSplit Colorado
The cross country postseason is heating up, bringing exciting regional action across the nation. This past weekend, several Colorado athletes traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to take on the Brooks XC Championships Midwest.
The course was covered in heavy, swirling snow, creating gritty, memorable racing conditions for everyone on the line. In conditions like these, times and speed almost become irrelevant. A race like this year’s Brooks Midwest Regional, is a race that truly tested athletes determination, mental toughness and adaptability.
Colorado Boys Qualifiers: On the boys’ side, Colorado fans were treated to some fantastic battles. Impressively, four Colorado athletes placed inside the top 10 of the championship race, earning their tickets to Brooks XC Nationals on December 13th at the storied Balboa Park in San Diego, California.
Leading the Colorado contingent was Wyatt Dann of Castle View High School, crossing the line 4th overall in a stellar time of 15:24.6. Close behind was Cadel Ruthven of Fort Collins High School, finishing 6th in 15:27.6. In 8th place, Lucas Wik of Boulder High School clocked 15:29.9, and rounding out the qualifiers was Rocco Culpepper of Niwot High School, taking 10th in 15:33.4. All four will represent Colorado on the national stage as they line up against the country’s best on December 13th. (Pictured to the left: Culpepper racing at the Midwest Regional, Photo Credit: BuryMeinGoldMedia).
Colorado Girls Qualifiers: On the girls’ side, Colorado saw another gritty set of performances. Payton Meineke of Riverdale Ridge High School emerged as the lone Colorado qualifier. Coming off a runner-up finish at the 5A State Championships and an 11th-place finish at Nike Cross Regionals, Payton continued her postseason momentum, placing 8th in 18:00.2. She will join the boys in lacing up at Balboa Park on December 13th. Keep your eyes open for big performances from all our Colorado athletes as they take on the national stage! (Pictured to the right: Payton Meineke racing to 8th place at the regional meet, Photo Credit: BuryMeinGoldMedia).
Other girls from Colorado who finished well included Chamorra Cooper of Air Academy High School and Emily Cohen of Cherry Creek High School. Both girls finished with All-Region accolades, placing in the top 25! Cooper finished 21st overall and Cohen placed 24th.