Niwot girls storm to sixth straight 4A state track title: “Our heavy hitters really hit hard”

It’s not hard to spot the Niwot girls at a Colorado state championship track meet.

There’s the crowd of teammates down by the track, cheering them on. There’s the easily identifiable green-and-white uniforms.

For the past couple of days, there’s also been the glitter. The parade of state champions has done it with flair, both in their performance and their coiffure.

“Jiselle (Sales) was in charge of the glitter,” Addison Ritzenhein said after cruising to wins in the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. “Our team culture is so strong. I think it’s pretty unique. I think it’s special.

“I think we really feed off each other’s energy.”

Niwot had a sixth consecutive girls 4A team title wrapped up long before Ritzenhein ran away from the rest of the field Saturday afternoon in the 1600. A junior committed to Northern Arizona, Ritzenhein now has five individual titles — three in the 3,200 and two in the 1,600.

There’s a certain level of expectation at Niwot. The Cougars have now won nine of the past 12 team state titles. They posted a total of 148 points this weekend — 30 more than any other girls or boys team.

For Ritzenhein, there’s an added wrinkle. Her father, Dathan Ritzenhein, once held the American record in the 5,000 meters and was a three-time U.S. Olympian.

“Even when I was a freshman, I was always referred to as Dathan Ritzenhein’s daughter,” Addison said. “I feel like there’s a little bit of a target on my back. It was different for me at first, but I have worked through it. It’s pretty cool when you stop and think about it, so I’m grateful for that kind of pressure.”

Ritzenhein wasn’t the only star of the weekend for the Cougars. Senior Jade West also became a five-time individual champion, sweeping the shot put and discus.

Senior Reese Kasper became a back-to-back champ in the 300-meter hurdles, while also adding her first 100 hurdles crown. Kasper’s time in the 300 hurdles (41.35) was the seventh-best in the nation this year. The Kansas State commit was also part of the 800 and 1600 relay teams.

The Cougars didn’t have anyone place in the 200 or 400 individual events, but both relay teams set a new state-meet record.

“There is definitely a standard,” Kasper said. “But I think the team is so close and so loving. I think that’s pretty rare, especially on a track team because there are so many different events.”

This is Maurice Henriques’ 16th year in charge of the program. A former defensive back at Colorado, he’s helped build the premier track program in the state.

The Niwot boys also romped to a 4A team title, their third championship since 2019. Junior Rocco Culpepper was the star for the Cougars over the weekend after defending his individual titles in the 800 (1:54.51) and 1600 (4:12.23).

“We have a great group of seniors and our heavy hitters really hit hard,” Henriques said. “You always have a target on your chest and you have to deliver. Our kids delivered all weekend.

“Since day one 15 years ago, it has been. ‘You can control your attitude and your effort.’ If you can control those two things, you can get good results. We show up. We bring our lunch pails. Our kids buy in.”

Henriques has coached dozens of stars, but there was a special personal moment for him. His daughter, Eliana Henriques, captured her first individual state title in the long jump.

“I got to just be a dad for like three minutes,” he said.