COLORADO SPRINGS – Alamosa High School’s Elizabeth McQuitty wrapped up her prep cross country career with a second place finish at the Class 3A State Meet Saturday at the Norris Penrose Events Center.

McQuitty ran the 5K course in 18:21.2. She placed only behind Eaton’s Delaney Reuter who had a time of 17:26.9.

“It was a pretty tough course,” McQuitty said. “I had to run by myself, but overall it was a really beautiful day. I’m thankful for it. It was just a tough day mentally, but I’m very proud of what I did and what everyone else did.”

“Elizabeth ran a 16-second personal best making her one of three girls at Alamosa High School to place second at state,” said Alamosa coach Jen McQuitty. “She ran a smart race pulling away from the rest of the pack and really covered ground quickly on the third mile. It is not easy running the state meet alone.”

This is the second Top 5 finish for Elizabeth as she placed third in last year’s race.

Elizabeth will now concentrate on the upcoming track and field season in the spring.

“I’m excited for track,” she said. “I’m hoping to qualify in some events and hopefully take home some hardware.”

Elizabeth has already decided upon where she will continue her academic and athletic career as she will attend the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

“I love the environment there,” she said. “It’s a good team and the coaches are very supportive and I think I can really be challenged there.”

One other Lady Moose ran at state as Vitoria Gifford finished in 36th place in 20:33.1.

The Classical Academy won the team championship for the sixth time in the last seven years with 44 points. The only time the Lady Titans didn’t win was in 2022 when Alamosa won the title.

Manitou Springs was second with 58 points.

Class 3A boys

The Alamosa boys team finished in fourth place with 180 points. Leading the Mean Moose was freshman Ethan Merrick who was 17th in 17:04.3. Also running were Tyler Dokson who was 37th in 17:26.2, Jeremiah DeLaCerda who was 39th in 17:28.4, William Wilson who was 52nd in 17:43.5, Cody Williams who was 59th in 17:49.0, Body Artaechevarria who was 74th in 18:01.1, and Cael Canaan who was 84th in 18:17.0.

“The boys ran aggressively today,” coach McQuitty said. “They did not give up and most ran a personal best today. I am really impressed with how they came through the second mile really picking off runners.”

Centauri had one runner in Carson Bagwell who was 23rd in 17:11.6.

Salida was the team champion with 85 points, followed by Jefferson Academy with 116.

Resurrection Christian’s Jackson Fagerlin was the medalist in 16:05.3.

Unified race

One Alamosa runner competed in the unified race as Matthew Hollingsworth was third in the one-mile course in 5:40.9.

“Matthew raced well today in the paralympic race,” coach McQuitty said. “He placed third and competed tough.”

Coach McQuitty refelected upon this past season.

“Overall, I can say that this season has been one of the best I have coached with such a young team,” she said. “Hopefully next year with some additions from middle school, both teams will come back stronger than ever.”

Class 2A boys

Del Norte finished in 16th place in the Class 2A boys race with 226 points.

Leading the Tigers was Mads Kreutzer who placed 53rd in 18:31.7. Other Del Norte runners included Cruz Matta who was 67th in 18:46.3, Jax Lester who was 93rd in 19:12.4, Josiah Yocom who was 96th in 19:20.5, Corbin Horrocks who was 118th in 20:08.5, and Landon Crowder who was 128th in 20:59.0.

Golden Viuew Classical Academy was the team champion with 47 points, followed by Crested Butte with 66, and Thomas MacLaren with 68.

Colorado Springs Christian’s Andrew Bel was the individual champion in 15:57.7.

Class 2A girls

Two Del Norte girls were also at state. Frannie Edelen took 19th place in 20:57.3, and Madeline Mitchell was 71st in 23:27.5.

Heritage Christian won the state championship with 25 points, followed by Lake County with 54.

Rangely’s Taya Wren was the medalist in 19:02.5.