COLORADO SPRINGS - Thirty years ago, Lake County was the toast of the Colorado high school cross country world. The little school in Leadville had amassed 28 state titles and was the stuff of small-school nightmares. Then, the bottom fell out. After 1992, Lake County didn’t win another state title until the girls pulled off a minor upset at last year’s state meet.

On the heels of that victory, Lake County came into the 2021 season as everyone’s favorites to repeat.

Everyone, that is, except Heritage Christian Academy. But the Eagles had some obstacles of their own to navigate. Ainsley Stanton, the leader of last year’s team, sustained a season-ending injury before August. Heritage Christian began the season with a very young and unproven team.

That very young team progressed rapidly, with freshman Mikaela Kendall emerging as one of 2A’s top competitors. By mid October, most people around the state had the settled feeling that the Eagles would end Lake County’s run of state titles at one.

Meanwhile, Lake County was struggling. Top runner Adele Horning fell ill around the beginning of October and missed some meets. The Panthers were still winning, but the tapestry was fraying at the edges. People began asking aloud if Lake County could hold off the Heritage Christian, the front range powerhouse, at the state meet. The speculation turned southward for Lake County, and some of that speculation made it into print.

“We were not seen as the favorites, and we were okay with that, but we would like a little bit of respect, so we came out to get it today,” offered Lake County coach Amy Peters with a huge smile.

It’s hard not to smile when your team just posted a 34-48 win over the consensus favorites.

One of the questions that had to be answered for Lake County, though, was how Horning would come back after three weeks of lingering illness. “I was a little nervous. I wasn’t able to train at all because I was sick. I tried to look at it as rest rather than time off. I may have been a little overtrained at the time,” ventured Horning.

Whether she was overtrained or not, Horning came back with a vengeance, leading Lake County first to a regional title, then to the state title.

Having their front runner back was huge for the Panthers, but you never win a state title without a roster of capable runners. Closing the deal for Lake County today was sophomore Ella Bullock in 15^th place.

“I was just keeping an eye on the green shorts, trying to stay with them,” explained Bullock. “Coming into the stadium, I knew I was ahead of Heritage’s fourth runner. Then I saw a shadow behind me and started sprinting really fast.”

It was that kind of awareness and effort that produced a repeat state title for Lake County.

Vanguard’s Nadhia Campos set a new 2A course record, winning the individual title in 18:37. She also went back-to-back, winning as a freshman in 2021.