AURORA -- The Colorado High School Activities Association has released its preseason coaches' polls for girls cross country.
Three of the four state champions from a year ago were picked in the No. 1 spot of the preseason poll, with Timnath (4A), The Classical Academy (3A) and Heritage Christian (2A) taking the top spots. In 5A, Chaparral was picked first, with Mountain Vista - the 2024 state champion - checking in third.
Regular season cross country meets can start this Thursday, Aug. 21. Regionals will take place Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 23-25, with the state championships set for Saturday, Nov. 1 at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
The preseason polls:
Class 5A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Chaparral |
| 2 |
Niwot |
| 3 |
Mountain Vista |
| 4 |
Air Academy |
| 5 |
Heritage |
| 6 |
Boulder |
| 7 |
Cherry Creek |
| 8 |
Denver East |
| 9 |
Cherokee Trail |
| 10 |
Thunderridge |
Also receiving votes: Arapahoe, Fairview, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Golden, Monarch, Northfield, Pueblo West, Rocky Mountain, Valor Christian.
Class 4A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Timnath |
| 2 |
Battle Mountain |
| 3 |
Cheyenne Mountain |
| 4 |
Discovery Canyon |
| 5 |
Palmer Ridge |
| 5 |
Holy Family |
| 7 |
Summit |
| 8 |
Conifer |
| 9 |
Coronado |
| 10 |
Thompson Valley |
Also receiving votes: Grand Junction, Grand Junction Central, Mead, Mountain View, Ponderosa, Roosevelt.
Class 3A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
The Classical Academy |
| 2 |
Manitou Springs |
| 3 |
Salida |
| 4 |
Woodland Park |
| 5 |
Prospect Ridge Academy |
| 6 |
Coal Ridge |
| 7 |
Banning Lewis Academy |
| 8 |
St. Mary's Academy |
| 9 |
Jefferson Academy |
| 10 |
Kent Denver |
Also receiving votes: Basalt, Centauri, Jefferson, Liberty Common.
Class 2A
| Rank |
Team |
| 1 |
Heritage Christian |
| 2 |
Lake County |
| 3 |
North Fork |
| 4 |
Denver Christian |
| 5 |
Wray |
| 5 |
Byers |
| 7 |
Nederland |
| 8 |
Colorado Rocky Mountain |
| 9 |
Crested Butte |
| 9 |
Golden View Classical Academy |
Also receiving votes: Loveland Classical, Rangely.