Coach Alan Versaw boasts a talented team at The Classical Academy. The Titans won state in Class 3A last year and have three returnees who were in the top 20.

In 5A, Coronado brings back six of its top seven runners from a third-place team.

Defending 4A state champion Falcon must rebuild, opening the door for Widefield and Lewis-Palmer, which return all of last year’s state qualifiers.

In 2A, The Vanguard School has Jeremiah Evangelista, who placed sixth at state.

TEAM PREVIEWS

Class 5A

Air Academy — The four senior letter-winners back are Brandon Shaw, Nathan Vail, Shawn Peterson and Logan Greydonus.

Coronado — Dusty Solis (7th, state) and Jesse Mathews (25th, state) could lead the team to a state title this fall. They’re joined by Dylan Witte, Ryan Logan and Ben Vaske.

Doherty — Coach Cydney Creech returns four letter-winners in Zach Brown, John Pauls, Wesley Sjoerdsma and Caleb Smith. A strong addition to the team is Daniel Funk.

Fountain-Fort Carson — Three return: Jimmy Snare, Deven Jones and Dante Mendoza. Devon McCormick joins the team this fall.

Liberty — Five senior letter-winners return in Ian Penn, Caleb Moseley, Alex Pattullo, Tyler Scott, Michael Claflin, and Garrett Kenyon.

Palmer — Four of five scoring runners return from a team hat placed 10th in the 5A state meet. Back are Andrew Goodman (8th, state), Nic Sledgianowski (42nd, state) Dustin Ordway, Justin Wood and Jamie Perez. Ben Goodman will join the squad this year.

Pine Creek — Returning are Jacob Smelker (82nd, state) and Andy Thomas. Newcomer are Lorenzo Carriedo, Ian O’Brien, Garrett Dietz and Kevin Westhoff.

Rampart — Seniors Austin Anderson, Jason Burbach, Ryan Derrick, Johnnie Farquhar and A.J. Skains return.

Sand Creek — No report.

Class 4A

Cañon City — Tabor Stevens (17th, state) , Loren Javernick (98th, state), Jordan Smith, Sean DelCastillo and Shayne Taylor return and will be joined by freshman Jared Roberts.

Cheyenne Mountain — Four state qualifiers return, led by Mitch Kasyon (32nd, state), Grant George, Postyn Smith and Taylor Vargolu.

Falcon — Chris Stearns (31st, state) and Bryce Gregoire are returning letter-winners. Patrick Brungardt joins the squad.

Harrison — William Edwards (71st, state), Joseph Archuleta and Aaron Smith return.

Lewis-Palmer — Coach Suzanne Kuehl brings back a solid team with Brad Rodgers, Steven Bell, Alex Magerko, John Clewe and Zach Fitzgerald all qualifying for state last season. Seth Polich and Derek Kirchhoefer, both injured last fall, are back and joined by newcomers Josh Davis and Spencer Shuman.

Mesa Ridge — The Grizzlies have six returning letter-winners including Shane Molina and Joe Palomba.

Mitchell — No report.

Palmer Ridge — No report.

Sierra — Senior Emil Trujillo (38th, state) is joined by juniors Eric Barnes and Michael Brock, sophomore Josh Pino and freshman Ricardo Palacio and Julio Quinines.

Vista Ridge — Coach Joe Davis has five returning letter-winners in Kevin Headlee, Tyler Povlos, Conner Terrores, Adam Noel and Forrest Eaglin. 

Wasson — Rafael Camargo will lead freshmen Jake Logan and John Booton.

Widefield — The Gladiators return nine letter-winners. Back are Paul Gallegly (79th, state), David Powers (85th, state), Josiah Valenzuela (86th, state), Ben Gallegly (92nd, state), Luke Wall and Nick Wilson.

Woodland Park — Mountain trail running is paying off, according to coach Ron Payton. Six letter-winners return, including Shawn Dubbs (18th, state) and Graham Ruhmann. Newcomers include Arnie Clark and Nick Elges (both attending Cripple Creek-Victor).

Class 3A

The Classical Academy — John Metzger (11th, state), Jacob Mueller (18th, state) and Josh Simkins (20th, state) form a strong nucleus with which the Titans can defend their championship.

Colorado Springs Christian School — David Wickert and Josh Sherwood return.

Discovery Canyon — Amman Beeftu and Matt Steiner return.

Ellicott — Three letter-winners are back in Michael Hilton, C.J. Henderson and Blaze Gustafson. New runners include Dutch exchange student Sybren Hengst.

James Irwin — No report.

Manitou Springs — The Mustangs return four letter-winners in Cody Nelson, Garrett Finn, Matt Bell and Zak Welz.Peyton — Returnees Nick Boca, Adam Magginetti, Ralph Willis and Sabian Beard are joined by newcomer Joey McKeon.

St. Mary’s — Matt Kloenne, Richard Ackerman and Eric Kater are the top returners.

Class 2A

Fountain Valley — The Danes were third at the state meet and will again see the services of Eric Hinkle (25th, state) and Isaac Radner (33rd, state). Daniel Wilkins is a third entrant.

Vanguard School — Jeremiah Evangelista (6th, state) is the No. 2-ranked returning runner in his class, according to coach Steve Read. David Alexander (43rd, state) and Tim Blondin are other returning letter-winners.

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