As good as The Classical Academy girls’ cross country team is, even the Titans won’t be able to outrun the attention focused on them this fall.

With an opportunity to tie the record for consecutive state championships and their top runner seeking her third straight individual crown, coach Alan Versaw’s team will find it virtually impossible to keep a low profile.

The Titans, with their top three finishers back from last year’s Class 3A state cross country championship, are favored to win a seventh straight team title. It would tie them with Lake County, which won top honors from 1979-85.

TCA appears ready to accept the challenge.

“They’re pretty focused on the task at hand,” Versaw said.

TCA senior Kaitlin Hanenburg is shooting for a three-peat. She has two teammates to push her in sophomore Shelby Stableford and senior Emily LaValley. They placed third and fifth, respectively, at state in 2008.

“What really helps is to have them training together,” Versaw said. “Over the course of the season that makes a huge difference.”

“It’s been fun competing with them,” said Salida coach Kenny Wilcox, whose team may be the main challenger to TCA. “They’ve only made our team better.”

Versaw also boasts a talented team in on the boys’ side. They won state 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 boys team. The Palmer girls, fourth in 5A, return all of their top runners.

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

The Cheyenne Mountain girls are the favorites among the area 4A schools, thanks to the return of junior Dani Grossman, who placed fifth at state.

In 2A, The Vanguard School girls should contend as a team, while the boys have Jeremiah Evangelista, who placed sixth at state.

BOYS’ 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.

GIRLS’ TEAM PREVIEWS

Class 5A

Air Academy — Coach Glenn Peterson has a close-knit group of returnees in Kellyn Roiko, Rebecca Barad, Amelia Evans, Katherine Henley and Olivia Hollister.

Coronado — Lauren Young, Rosie Bradley, Bailey Gearhart, Alexis Work, Kaitlin Burrell and Kaylee Vandersluis return.

Doherty — Returning are Aubrey Hilte, Jordan Bloesser (42nd, state), Leah Anderson (54th, state) and Rachel Hamre. Newcomers are Sarah Anderson and Jenny Murnane.

Fountain-Fort Carson — Coach Ben Montoya has two returnees in Whitney Maurer and Devyn Pilgree and a pair of freshmen in Olivia Willoughby and Jordan Freeman.

Liberty — The girls will have a strong one-two punch with Hannah Everson (11th, state) and Gina Hauptman. Also returning are Emma Jacobson, Michelle Stone and Ashleigh Gallegos.

Palmer — Coach Kent Christy’s team should be a championship contender this fall with Annie Whitford (19th, state), Kylee Firlit (23rd, state), Meg Rudy (28th, state), Emily Smith (48th, state), Dana Louie, Haley Bryant and Amber McAfee also return.

Pine Creek — Ruth-Anne Hadjis, Leanne Kofford and Jenny Goode return while the Eagles have added Heather Bates, Taylor Fogg, Laura Yarrow and Paige Garlick.

Rampart — Seniors Sara Davis, Tamara Pratt and Katie Smisson return along with junior and state qualifier Kirsten Farquhar.

Sand Creek — No report.

Class 4A

Cañon City — Ashley Brown (98th, state) is joined by Karri Cote-Hook, Jessica Jones, Trista De la Rosa, and Kayla Jameson.

Cheyenne Mountain — Junior Dani Grossman (5th, state), senior Emily Duncan (22nd, state), junior Kali Maxwell (29th, state) are joined by state qualifiers and juniors Abbie Poremba and Samantha Sloan.

Falcon — Lauren Barron, Courtney Brown, Rachel Brown, Anna Lamb and Andrea Thayer are back with new additions in Elisha Roe, Deja Matlock and Ally Biernat.

Harrison — The Panthers are led by Danielle Tova (91st, state) and returnees Joanna Arellano, Sammy Crawford and Kayla Jung.

Lewis-Palmer — Senior Maddie Krueger (33rd, state), junior Michaela Diamond (71st, state) and five other letter-winners return.

Mesa Ridge — Cali Antolini is one of three girls returning for coach Carl Burgess.

Mitchell — No report.

Palmer Ridge — No report.

Vista Ridge — Seven letter-winners return, including Amanda McCann (24th, state), Racquel Valdez (61st, state), Beth Luckal (66th, state), Rachel Mozzetta, Emily Noel and Denise Walker.

Sierra — Junior Marilyn Rincon is joined by seniors Rebeka Hepworth and Nathasia McLaughlin.

Wasson — Keys for the Thunderbirds will be Melissa Montemayor, Kayla Booton, Kayla Esquibel, Leah Esquibel and Brittany Logan (Falcon transfer).

Widefield — Returnees Audra Bergman, Karisa Sabisch, Jessica Shoop, Taylor Anderson and Kat Bergman are joined by newcomers Alysia McCullough, Danielle Pacheco and Kendall Swasso. 

Woodland Park — Coach Ron Payton feels he has a strong pack about eight deep including returning runners Cienna Hopkins, Winter Spencer and Lindsey Wetzel, and newcomer Tarrah Todd.

Class 3A

Colorado Springs Christian School — Returning letter-winners include Maddie Schneider, Sarah Guhl, Terissa Angel and Nicole Robinson.

Discovery Canyon — Allie Morgan, Janae Johnson, Molly Spalding, Casey Gramling, Jordan Bearslee and McKenzie Wedel make up the team for coach Christa Miner.

Ellicott — Ellicott Baptist freshman Olivia Peters will run for the Thunderhawks this fall.

Florence — No report.

Manitou Springs — Letter-winners Shelby Carpenter, Courtney Shaw, Clea Stice and Georgia Padilla are back.

Peyton — Heather Magginetti returns.

St. Mary’s — Kara Slavoski (4th, state) heads a big list of returning competitors that includes Sydney Harris, Zoe Harris, Lily Donelson, Emily Tait and Elizabeth Kurata.

The Classical Academy — In addition to Hanenburg, the Titans bring back Shelby Stableford (3rd, state), Emily LaValley (5th, state) and Emily Husted (17th, state). Elaina Turley is also back.

Class 2A

Colorado Springs School — Caroline Friend (57th, state) leads a small squad that includes Connor Farrell and Amaya Rodriguez.

Fountain Valley — Heather Carrese (22nd, state), Chris Kozlik and Alya Wayman (Shining Mt. Waldorf transfer) give coach Tommy Manning a strong trio.

Vanguard School — The entire team returns, led by Chelsea Kilgore (13th, state). Other letter-winners include Brittany Crippen, Annabel Custer, Jillian Heckman, and Erin Jones.

With Kaitlin Hanenburg, right, and Shelby Stableford out front, The Classical Academy is favored to win its seventh straight Class 3A state title. Photo by JUSTIN EDMONDS, THE GAZETTE