COLORADO SPRINGS — At the Class 3A and 2A levels, six local schools sent at least one athlete to Colorado Springs on Saturday for the state cross country championships.

Local 2A schools at the Norris Penrose Event Center course included Lyons, Nederland and Twin Peaks Charter. In 3A, Jefferson Academy, Peak to Peak and Prospect Ridge Academy combined for 41 state contenders.

Some news and notes from the smaller classifications:

Jefferson Academy’s Leyna Gibson ends her junior season on a high note

In the Class 3A girls race, sixth-ranked Jefferson Academy was led by Leyna Gibson, who placed 29th in 20 minutes, 24.9 seconds. The Jaguars junior placed an increased emphasis on technique to help achieve his season-best time.

“I’m very, very happy with him,” Gibson said. “I’ve been working hard all this season and made some breakthroughs. This was my best (time) of the season. It felt so good to have a good race.”

Jaguars teammate Kennedy Stadler was close behind in 35th (20:39.9).

“Finishing is the best feeling, especially in that stadium,” Gibson said. “You feel like you’re part of something bigger. I felt so happy. It’s a bittersweet moment because the season is over, our seniors are leaving and it was the most satisfying thing. It makes you feel so good about yourself.”

Prospect Ridge Academy, led by 27th-place Emily Jones (20:22.3) and 37th-place Sarah Sellers (20:36.9), took fifth in the team standings. Peak to Peak ranked 18th, and Skye Williams passed Pumas in 44th place (20:53.7).

Peak to Peak’s Jack Cerullo, Jefferson Academy boys take home 3A hardware

Peak to Peak’s Jack Cerullo tested his limits and was rewarded with a prominent spot on the Norris Penrose podium, finishing third (16:18.9) in the 3A boys race.

“It’s the hardest I’ve probably ever pushed,” Cerullo said. “I can’t ask for more. It was a good way to end my senior season with my best place at state, so I’m really happy.”

In the team standings, Cerullo’s Pumas placed 10th, Prospect Ridge Academy finished eighth and Jefferson Academy left Colorado Springs with a runner-up trophy. The Jaguars boys, who finished fifth last year, were led by sixth-place finishers Aden Garza (16:33.3) and Rylan Mills (16:36.6).

“I’ve never been in the top 10 in my entire career, so this is a whole new experience,” Garza said. “To do that with my team and come second with them, getting a podium, I’ve never done that before. This is something new and it feels great.”

Garza and Mills were followed by teammates Eliot Lindberg (50th, 17:42.6) and Carter Nickels (56th, 17:45.1) in the top 60.

James Newell leads Lyons in 2A boys race

As Lyons’ only state competitor last season, James Newell entered his junior season knowing he had to push himself and his teammates to be at their best. Newell accepted the challenge, leading Lyons to an 11th-place finish at state.

“We really came together,” said Newell, who finished 42nd (18:16.1). “There are a few freshmen on the state team and I got to build bonds with a lot of people I didn’t know very well before this year.”

Of Lyons’ six state runners, three finished in the top 70: Newell, junior Logan Reitz (56th, 18:35.7) and sophomore Noah Shelton (69th, 18:46.8).

Dutch junior Benjamin Weber was 31st (17:51.8) and Twin Peaks Charter Academy sophomore Brody Gripka was 72nd (18:48.5).

A New Beginning

Holland’s booming cross country program earned a spot on the 2A girls podium as sophomore Amika Begin finished ninth (20:15.3).

“I ran all summer; I just love it,” said Begin, who ranked 34th as a freshman last year. “I pushed myself as hard as I could. My teammates all wrote fun things on my hands and were super inspired.”

Begin and the Panthers fielded a full girls team for the second straight season and finished ninth — a seven-place jump from last year. Individually, junior Abigail Hess was the next Dutch finisher in 30th place (21:59.5).

“We’re all stupid,” Begin said. “We love being around each other. I love those girls. They are some of my best friends.”

2A girls top 30: Amika Begin, Nederland (ninth, 20:15.3); Leah Shelton, Lyons (25th, 21:38.4); Abigail Hess, Netherlands (30, 21:59.5)

Top 30 Boys 3A: Jack Cerullo, Peak to Peak (third, 16:18.9); Aden Garza, Jefferson Academy (sixth, 16:33.3); Rylan Mills, Jefferson Academy (ninth, 16:36.6); Nicholas Shoemaker, Prospect Ridge Academy (14, 17:01.6); Judah Wilson (29, 17:17.7)

3A girls top 30: Emily Jones, Prospect Ridge Academy (27th, 20:22.3); Leyna Gibson, Jefferson Academy (29, 20:24.9)

View a list of the prep and high school sports teams we cover.