Third consecutive title just as sweet for TCA girls squad

PUEBLO - A third consecutive state championship for The Classical Academy girls was greeted with joy, enthusiasm and an endless number of hugs, smiles and pictures Saturday at the Class 3A track and field meet at Dutch Clark Stadium.

    "There is no apathy because we won before," TCA coach Tim Daggett said. "We have sophomores and juniors out for the first time to be part of this. To finish the season on a high like this is just great."

    Sophomore sensation Kaitlin Hanenburg won her second individual title with a devastating kick in the final 200 meters of the 1,600 run to beat freshman phenom Sam Berggren of Middle Park by more than 5 seconds.

    "When I passed her with 200 left, I knew I needed to close the door," said Hanenburg, who won the 3,200 and was second to Berggren in the 800 on Friday.

    "What TCA has done is impressive," Roosevelt coach Ken Howell said. "Hanenburg is amazing. She's worth the price of admission."

    The Classical Academy's 89 points was the school's best at a state meet.

    Junior Dan Gieck of Manitou Springs won the 110-meter hurdles (14.72 seconds), and Colorado Springs Christian School freshman Tiffany Kenney won the long jump (17 feet, 1.5 inches).

    St. Mary's sophomore Kara Slavoski was the only runner to go out fast with Hanenburg and Berggren and took third in the 1,600 with a personal best (5:10.17).

    Senior Joni Raile of James Irwin was fourth in the 100 (12.84) and the 200 (26.29) and fifth in the 400 (1:01.30). TCA sophomore Shannon Harrell was second in the 400 (1:00.92) while CSCS senior Steph Kenney was sixth in the 200 (27.08).

    TCA girls won the 3,200 relay and were second in the sprint medley and 1,600 relays while CSCS took third in the 800 relay.

    The Manitou Springs boys were second in the 800 relay, and the CSCS girls were runner-up in the 400 relay.

    CSCS sophomore Becca Bultje was third in the 100 hurdles (15.60). TCA junior Sam Feldotto was second (4:36.22) in the 1,600 while senior Trevor Waliszewski was fourth (4:37.18).