LAKEWOOD – Sara Christensen had been a champion before this year.

She had never been a double champion until this year, though.

The senior from Thomas MacLaren School won the Class 2A girls 100-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles on Saturday at the CHSAA Track & Field State Championships at Jefferson County Stadium.

“I’m really happy with myself,” she said. “I think I’ve worked really hard, and I think a lot of people have worked really hard to get me there, and so I’m just proud that I pushed through and actually did it.”

Christensen won the 100 hurdles a year ago, while placing second in the 300 hurdles. She graduates with seven top-four medals in individual events.

In the 100 hurdles, she had a winning time of 14.83 seconds, while Peyton’s Sheridan McArthur was second (16.03). In the 300 hurdles, Christensen posted a 44.96, while Ridgway’s Emery Cornell was second (47.67).

“There’s kind of a huge relief because I was nervous,” said Christensen, who came in as the top seed in both events. “Even though I knew I was still seeded higher than everyone, I was nervous. Then I just remembered I have to run my race and have fun, and then the state title would come.”

She also helped the Highlanders to a win in the 400-meter relay. Christensen teamed with Aneace Forman, Azailya Forman and Hannah Templin to post a winning time of 50.18 seconds. Calhan was second, at 50.38.

Lyons won the team title for the sixth time overall, but for the first time since 2012. The Lions finished with 55 points, while Thomas MacLaren, Ridgway and Rangely tied for the second with 46 points each.

“It’s so exciting, considering we only had eight girls going to state,” said Lyons sophomore Carmen Dumbauld, who was third in the 100 meters. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing that we got here because of the hard work, because of our connection, and knowing that we can. And, we have no seniors, so knowing that we can do it again next year is really amazing.”

The Lions didn’t have any individual champions, but won the 800-meter relay on Friday and featured good depth.

“It’s so exciting, and I’m really excited to continue it into the next year, because we’re still all pretty young,” said junior Afton Dewart. “I’m really overjoyed about how well we did.”

Telluride’s Austin Cook completed her career with a win in the 1,600 meters, her second win of the weekend. She repeated as champion in the 800 on Friday.

“It feels good, like a lot of hard work has paid off,” she said.

Cook had a winning time of 5 minutes, 5.99 seconds in the 1,600, while North Fork’s Saskia Marlin was second, in 5:11.51.

“I’m happy with how I ran,” Cook said. “I wish I had run a little bit faster, but I’m really happy with the performance, and just closing hard. It’s really special because I didn’t even qualify for the 1,600 when I was a freshman and a sophomore, and I thought it was just like this insane event that no one qualified for, and now it’s like my event. I wanted it a lot more than a lot of other people, so I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”

Yuma sophomore Daphani Allen had an impressive weekend, although not as good as she had hoped. She came in as the top seed in the 200 and 400 meters, and came away with a state title in the 200.

“I feel good,” she said. “I might not have gotten the other ones, but I’m really proud of this one. I feel like this is definitely my main race, so I’m happy I got this.”

She posted a winning time of 25.57 seconds in the 200, while Limon’s Sophia McCormick was second, at 25.58.

“I’m so proud with how I performed today,” said Allen, who was second in the 400 and fourth in the 100. “I’m super happy with how today went. I’m really excited for what’s to come. I’m excited for what I can bring next year and the year after that. I hope to show everyone what else I can do.”

In the 400, McCormick won the title, posting a time of 57.61 seconds, while Allen had 58.24. It was the first title for McCormick, who is also a sophomore. McCormick was runner-up in 2025.

Golden View Classical Academy’s Mehlea Ritschard repeated as champion in the 100 meters. The junior had a winning time of 12.36 seconds. Hoehne’s Braylee Foster was second, in 12.47.

Foster won a state title later in the day, however, taking first in the high jump. It was the second straight high jump title for Foster, a junior, who was second in 2024.

Foster had a leap of 5 feet, 5 inches, which tied Caprock Academy’s Alisonya Yarnell, but Foster took the title because she had fewer misses during the competition.

Rangely capped the meet with a victory in the 1,600-meter relay. The foursome of Kira Jo Benson, Aubrey Yates, Taya Wren and Teagan Behunin ran the event in 4:06.01. West Grand was second, in 4:07.37, followed by Lyons.