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.
Niwot’s Addy Ritzenhein runs through a turn in the front of the pack in the 4A girls 1600-meter run during the 2025 Track and Field State Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Matthew Jonas/Boulder Daily Camera)“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.
Niwot’s Reese Kasper heads home to win the 4A 300-meter hurdles final at the Track and Field State Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)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.
Niwot’s Eliana Henriques collects her thoughts before competing in the 4A Triple Jump competition at the Track and Field State Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado, on Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)“I got to just be a dad for like three minutes,” he said.
Related Articles
Resurrection Christian’s Jackson Fagerlin, brother Lincoln continue family legacy at Colorado state track finals Colorado state track notes: Heritage’s Zona Welling lays claim to title ‘fastest girl in Colorado’ Colorado state track notes: Overland’s Jarrius Ward dons ‘Lilo & Stitch’ onesie, dominates 5A discus Colorado state track meet, Day 3: Live results from Jeffco Stadium Colorado state track notebook: Class 3A girls 3,200 final racked with disqualifications, but sportsmanship prevailsEliana also finished second in the triple jump and was on the two relay championship teams with Kasper. They’re part of a senior class that came to Jeffco Stadium four times and left with the 4A girls championship trophy four times.
That’s not just the goal at Niwot. It’s the expectation.
There was time for a group celebration on the field Saturday. The quest for a seventh straight team championship begins soon.
“We’ll take a week off,” Maurice Henriques said. “And then we are back to work.”
Want more sports news? Sign up for the Sports Omelette to get all our analysis on Denver’s teams.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Niwot girls storm to sixth straight 4A state track title: “Our heavy hitters really hit hard” )
Also on site :
- Iconic Actress, 75, Turns Heads in Rare Red Carpet Appearance
- Stunning '80s Soap Opera Star, 75, Is Unrecognizable in Recent Outing
- Powerful explosion rocks California, one fatality confirmed