Hanenburg claims 3rd state title as TCA wins 3A cross country

FORT COLLINS • Kaitlin Hanenburg seemed to be the only one unimpressed by her victory Saturday and her string of three consecutive Class 3A state titles.

The Classical Academy senior has as much modesty as she does endurance, heart and speed.

Hanenburg (18 minutes, 16.71 seconds) praised teammates Emily Lavalley (second, 18:28.91) and Shelby Stableford (third, 18:58.26) and the rest of the Titans, who cruised to a seventh straight championship by a margin of 75 points.

Of her nearly wire-to-wire win, well, that was expected. And, besides, she’d worked hard for a long time to reap that reward.

“She has all the tools to be a Division I podium finisher,” said TCA coach Alan Versaw, who didn’t hesitate to call Hanenburg the best in school history. “Kaitlin took one for the team today. She burned the competition off early, and that paved the way. Emily and Shelby earned it on their own, but Kaitlin set a pace not many can keep up with.”

Stableford, who battled physical problems all season after finishing runner-up at state as a freshman, shuddered when thinking of Hanenburg going off to run for Stanford, Colorado State or Iowa State — her top three choices.

“I’m going to miss her so much,” Stableford said. “I can’t even think about it without getting teary eyed.”

Lavalley, who plans to run in college, said, “Kaitlin’s a fabulous runner. I look up to her. She’s a great role model.”

TCA senior Elaina Turley (19:34.51) was ninth, followed by junior Meredith Sloan (19:40.66) in 10th and freshman Brittany Droogsma (20:11.31) in 13th.

“Nobody wants to be the one that undoes the tradition,” Versaw said. “Winning never gets old.”

Sophomore Allie Morgan (19:23.51) finished eighth to lead Discovery Canyon (108) to fifth. Colorado Springs Christian School (180) was seventh among the 16 teams, highlighted by junior Maddie Schneider (20:47.86) in 24th.