Liberty’s Hamilton chases family legacies at state

Tim Hamilton hopes to live up to his family’s legacy when six state cross country meets take place today at the Vineyards Golf Course and El Pomar Youth Sports Complex.

Hamilton, a senior at Liberty, is following in the footsteps of three older siblings. His brother Joel, who runs for the Colorado School of Mines, was second in the 4A meet and was on Liberty’s 2002 state championship team. His brother, Paul, was eighth in 2003 when the Lancers repeated as state champs. And his sister, Sarah, ran in three state meets.

“Tim comes from a family of good runners, including his dad,” said coach Gary Weston. “He has a reputation to live up to. He’s worked harder than I’ve ever seen him this year. He could finish in the top five.”

Hamilton was second in a regional meet behind Wes Rickman of Falcon. Liberty has placed first or second the last five years and hopes to challenge Battle Mountain for the 4A boys team title today.

“I think we have the best chance to catch Battle Mountain, but they’re a pretty solid favorite,” said Weston. “They won last year and only lost their fourth man.

“To win, we’d have to have all five run their best. If everybody runs a normal race, I think we’d get second.”

Kaitlin Hanenburg, a sophomore at The Classical Academy, knows all about living up to family tradition. Her sister, Emily — a sophomore runner at Colorado — was runner-up at the state cross country meet and won several titles in track.

As a freshman, Kaitlin was second in the 3A meet. She hopes to take the next step today.

“When Kaitlin puts the hammer down, she’s among the best in the state,” said TCA coach Alan Versaw. “We have other girls capable of making the top 10, but she could win.”

The TCA girls, winners of four straight state titles, are considered the favorite, although Versaw said Peak to Peak will challenge. At a regional meet, Hanenburg won, followed by St. Mary’s Sydney Harris and Titans teammate Kelsey Brown.

The defending state champion TCA boys also have a chance to repeat. They are led by regional champ Trevor Waliszewski and Sam Feldotto.

“Nothing is guaranteed,” Versaw said. “There are about four teams that could win between us, Rocky Ford, Bayfield and Lyons.”

Other 3A boys who could contend include St. Mary’s Stephen VanGampleare and Fountain Valley’s Steven Stoot.

Rampart, led by Brennan Jarvis, Jeff Cook and Nick Saulnier, could challenge Wheat Ridge for the 5A boys crown. Dusty Solis, Alex Vaske and Andrew Lesser lead Coronado, which should be a factor.

Among the 5A girls, Lynnea Sjoerdsma of Doherty, Jen Bremser of Sand Creek and Meg Rudy of Palmer are likely individual title contenders. Fort Collins, led by Lisa Reyna, and Dakota Ridge, paced by Kaitie Vanatta, are the team favorites.

Air Academy’s Allie McLaughlin beat Reyna earlier this fall and should contend.

Samantha Thompson of Sierra, Jamie Welch of Woodland Park and Liberty’s Kaylen Slack and Amy Kress will vie for honors among the area’s 4A girls. It is expected to be a three-way battle between Greeley West, Mullen and Thompson Valley for the team title. The Cheyenne Mountain girls could contend with strong performances from Joy O’Hare and freshman Kali Maxwell.

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