COLORADO SPRINGS –– As a first-year high school athlete, Nadhia Campos commenced the 2021 season unsure of what to anticipate. Nevertheless, from start to finish of her freshman campaign, Vanguard’s freshman resembled a doubtless veteran on the course.
On Saturday, Campos capped a compelling introductory stint with a dominant victory at 2A the girls cross country championship –– clocking an 18:47.5 performance to set a classification course record inside the Norris Penrose Events Center.
“I’m so thankful for my coaches and everyone that’s helped me this season,” Campos said. “I was nervous and kind of worried going into the season, but I started doing really great because of my training. I’m just really proud of myself looking back on it.”
With five prior victories under her belt, Campos entered Saturday’s culminating festivities fresh off a personal-best 18:13 showing at the 2A Region 2 meet. Preserving her momentum at ease, the freshman constructed a gap-widening move around the one-mile mark of Saturday’s 2A finals.
After distancing herself from the pack, it was off to the races as Vanguard’s young star defeated second-place Zaila Smith of Buena Vista by an eye-popping 33 seconds (19:20.4).
Rounding out 2A’s top individual females, Colorado Springs Christian’s Elle Stevens snatched the state championship’s bronze medal while breaking the 20-minute mark (19:55.8). A hair beyond said threshold, Lyons senior Quin Gregg (20:02.4) defeated fifth-place Eliana Caucutt of Golden View Classical Academy (20:05.2) in thrilling fashion.
Despite failing to crack the top-10 on the individual leaderboard, a notably balanced effort guided Lake County to its first team title since before 18-year head coach Amy Peters took over.
Accruing 48 points, Lake County comfortably ousted Colorado Springs Christian (69). Proving particularly potent for the Panthers, sophomore Kiera King (20:55.6) seized 11th-place honors as junior teammate Adele Horning finished closely behind in 12th (21:01.3). Soon after, Lake County’s underclassman duo of Ella Bullock (17th) and Violet Hill (18th) managed to sneak into the competitive event’s 20-fastest participants.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Peters said. “Lake County has quite a history of state titles, like in the (1979s) and 80s. We walked past all the trophies today in the school to spark some inspiration. We just wanted to continue the tradition, and these girls have worked so diligently to get here. It was such a team victory, not having any girl in the top 10. And yet, we got it.”
