Stopwatch doesn't lie

    The Classical Academy sophomore Kaitlin Hanenburg won the 1,600- and 3,200-meter runs and took second in the 800, after taking second in all three events last year, to help the Titans win their third consecutive 3A girls state championship.

    Hanenburg's time in the 1,600, 5 minutes and 52 one-hundredths of a second, was the fastest time in the state this year in all classifications.

    For her efforts, Hanenburg is The Gazette's Girls Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

How does it feel to win two individual state championships?
It was really exciting. Kristen McGlynn (winner in all three events last year) wasn't in it but it was still really important for me to win.

Why was it important?
Because we worked so hard as a team and as individuals and it was one of my goals to win all three. I got second in one of them but I'm still glad to get first in two of them.

Are you disappointed at all with taking second in the 800?
Maybe a little bit, but Sam Berggren is a really good competitor. I strategically planned, if I needed to, that the more important race to me was the mile (1,600).

Why was that one more important?
That's my strongest event.

Are you feeling any pressure to keep the streak going?
Our coaches are really good about not putting pressure on us. My teammates don't really talk about state and winning state. Our coaches prepare us to peak at state, but the pressure to keep the streak going is really not that great.

How do you feel about the team's potential to win again with so many young athletes on next year's team?
We have a great team and we keep getting stronger. We had some girls that were injured and they are hopefully coming back next year so the chances are good. But there are a lot of great teams so it's never guaranteed.

How much do you run during the summer?
Last summer I did like 35 miles per week. I'm probably going to up that to around 42 miles per week this summer. I haven't really talked to my coach about it yet.

How did it feel to have the fastest time in the 1,600 of anyone in the state this year?
We have a really strong state so it was really exciting. I worked really hard for it.

Have you thought at all about breaking the state meet record (4:57.44) or all classifications record (4:49.86) in the 1,600?
I really wanted to get it (the meet record), but I had a little fatigue in my legs from the previous day, so maybe next year.

How did you get into running?
My sister (Emily, a sophomore at Colorado) did it before me. That's the only real reason. I played soccer before that.

How successful was your sister?
She did really well. She had some state titles in track. She had the state record in the 800 at one point.

Is there any sibling rivalry?
No, not really. She's always been really supportive of me, but there's not competition between us.

Do you have any rivals?
Sam Berggren (from Middle Park) was the girl who beat me in the 800 and she was second in cross country, so if I had one it would be her or Kara Slavoski (St. Mary's, third in the 1,600 and 3,200) or both.

What other sports do you play?
I play basketball. I'm a guard.

Who are your biggest role models?
My family; my parents and my brother and sister. They're my main role models.

Is there a particular area of science you like; biology, chemistry?
I pretty much like them all.

What do you do in your free time?
I like to hang out with my friends and I enjoy watching TV, as bad as that is.