3A Girls Track and Field: Classical Academy Defends State Championship

LAKEWOOD – Those who have been to the state track and field championships are used to hearing “The Classical Academy” announced on the loud speakers. It’s a regular occurrence for a dynasty.

“There’s been so many amazing champions that have worn these shirts,” senior Heidi Nielsen said. “It’s fun to think that I’m running in the legacy of so many amazing people. Knowing that people have gone before me and run well.”

On Saturday, the TCA girls earned their 13th team championship since 2006. They have the second-most girls track titles in Colorado history, only trailing North Fork.

“It’s a community that cares about its sports,” coach Tim Daggett, the head man since 2004, said. “It’s amazing families. I have an unbelievable coaching staff that has stayed with me. My hurdle coach, Melissa Paisley, when I was hired the AD hired her on the side. She’s been with me all 22 years. One of my distance assistants, Emily Hanenburg, was one of our first great athletes and she’s come back to coach with us. It’s continuity of coaching staff, it’s support from the school, and then it’s just creating community.”

Although the Titans were dominant in the team standings, it wasn’t a title earned without some mishaps during the season.

“Obviously, I went through a huge injury, a huge setback,” Nielsen, the 200-meter champion, said. “I didn’t step onto the track until about three weeks ago. I think I’ve run three 200s before this and so every single meet is such a blessing.”

Tearing a hamstring and dealing with a hip injury delayed her season, but she never lost faith.

“It was a whole struggle just to even jog at one point in mid-April,” Nielsen said. “And then at one point, I felt the Lord just say ‘you’re free and I need you to run.’ I started working my speed up. Obviously, I haven’t been doing a ton of training. It’s all been rehab. I didn’t expect to be number one in the 200. What a journey it’s been.”

Nielsen finished as a three-time individual champion (100 and 200 junior year) and was a member of two winning relays (4×100 and 4×200) this week.

“We talk a lot about your track story,” Daggett said. “Last year, she had an undefeated season. She was running times that I had never seen or coached before. She was at the top of the hill in every way. We had weeks there where we didn’t know if she was going to come back. She had a fantastic state meet. She’s been a great captain for us.”

TCA was dominant in the foursome events. They earned gold in the 4×100 Relay (48.86), 4×200 (1:42.43) and 4×800 (9:33). They also won silver in the 4×400.

Sophomore Vivian Jack chipped in eight points with a silver medal in the 1600.

The final team standings were The Classical Academy (103.5), Coal Ridge (93), and Berthoud (69).

Nielsen wasn’t the only champion who had to overcome some injuries this season.

Peighton Marrero of Strasburg had won back-to-back state titles in the 2A 400 meters. Despite some early season struggles, she added to her title haul with a 3A crown in 56.65.

“I battled a lot of adversity this year mentally, physically,” the senior said. “I got to give all the glory to God.”

“We went to state in basketball and basketball went a week longer this year,” she added. “It was a short season and I battled some injuries with my quad and my hamstring.”

The United States Naval Academy recruit, who also finished second in the 300 hurdles, had to bounce back from a disappointment in the 400 last week.

“At League, I actually lost,” Marrero said. “I took second running against Michelle Headley (Brush), so I knew she was going to be super competitive. I just told myself that I needed to pay attention to what was going on in my lane and just give it everything that I had and the rest would just take care of itself.”

Marrero beat Headley (runner-up in 57.20) this time, earning a rare, third-consecutive 400m championship for Strasburg.

“The whole town is here,” she said with a smile. “I’m sure I have a bunch of texts waiting for me on my phone. Everybody watches, everybody tunes in. It’s just a lot of fun to be able to represent my family and my community.”

In other action, Kyla Wolitzky (Elizabeth), the defending high jump champion, went back-to-back by clearing 5 feet, 4 inches.

Alex Horton (Kent Denver) earned gold in the 100 Hurdles in 14.85 seconds and the 300 hurdles in 44.42.

Tatum VanPelt of Resurrection Christian flew down the track in winning the 100 in 12.28.

Sophomore Delaney Reuter (Eaton) earned the 1600 crown in 4:59.18.

Berthoud won the 4×400 Relay in 4:02.22.