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Manilafasha, McLaughlin runaway winners

Published November 12, 2008 at 9:21 p.m.

* For Denver North senior Joseph Manilafasha, the 2008 cross country season sped by almost as fast as he did by his competition.

Manilafasha, who won the state title in 2006, overcame a disappointing 2007 season to record an undefeated record this fall. He scored the best time at the state championships to win Class 4A and earn the honor of the Rocky's boys runner of the year.

"This season was really great, but it seems like it just went very quick," Manilafasha said. "But I am really happy with how it went for me this year."

Selected All-Colorado for the second consecutive year are Class 5A back-to-back champion Evan Appel of Dakota Ridge and 4A two-time runner-up Wes Rickman from Falcon.

Rickman's coach, Cameron Magnall, was selected coach of the year after leading the Falcons to a team title.

* From the first week this season, Air Academy senior Allie McLaughlin became the one to beat. But nobody did. Or even come close.

McLaughlin's phenomenal undefeated season led her to the 5A state title and national attention - and the honor of being named the Rocky's girls runner of the year.

"All summer, winning state was all I thought about," said McLaughlin, who recorded the top girls time, 17:04.53, at the state meet.

"From Day 1 of last season, it's what I wanted. And to have every meet go so well, it was just perfect."

The Classical Academy's Kaitlin Hanenburg won her second straight Class 3A title and All-Colorado selection.

Her coach, Alan Versaw, was selected coach of the year after leading the Titans to their sixth team title in a row.

All-Colorado cross country

BOYS

Runner, School, Year

Evan Appel, Dakota Ridge, Sr.

Joseph DeMoor, Buena Vista, Sr.

Joseph Manilafasha, Denver North, Sr.

Victor Montoya, Rocky Ford, Sr.

Wes Rickman, Falcon, Sr.

Walter Schafer, Cherry Creek, Jr.

* Runner of the year: Joseph Manilafasha, Denver North

* Coach of the year: Cameron Magnall, Falcon

Honorable mention: Santino Apodaca, Rocky Ford, Sr.; Andrew Berberick, Mullen, Sr.; Amos Bowen, Brush, So.; Scott Fauble, Wheat Ridge, Jr.; Sam Feldotto, The Classical Academy, Sr.; Ryan Haebe, Evergreen, Sr.; Kevin Johnson, Falcon, Sr.; Roblet Muhudin, Overland, Jr.; Collin Munoz, Poudre, Sr.; Bobby Nicolls, Regis Jesuit, Sr.; Danny Nicolls, Regis Jesuit, Jr.; Dart Schwaderer, Wheat Ridge, Sr.; Steven Stoot, Fountain Valley, Sr.; Andrew Roberts, Lyons, Sr.; Joel Villagomez, Center, Sr.

GIRLS

Runner, School, Year

Samantha Berggren, Middle Park, So.

Kaitlin Hanenburg, The Classical Academy, Jr.

Allie McLaughlin, Air Academy, Sr.

Alicia Nelson, Moffat County, Sr.

Kelley Robinson, Nederland, Fr.

Laura Tremblay, Thompson Valley, Sr.

* Runner of the year: Allie McLaughlin, Air Academy

* Coach of the year: Alan Versaw, The Classical Academy

Honorable mention: Miranda Benzel, Fort Collins, Sr.; Kelsey Corbin, Mancos, So.; Eleanor Fulton, Highlands Ranch, So.; Clare Gallagher, Cherry Creek, Jr.; Dani Grossman, Cheyenne Mountain, So.; Erica Hinchcliffe, Greeley West, Jr.; Erin Kelly, Crested Butte, So.; Kristin Kientz, Highlands Ranch, Fr.; Kelsey Lakowske, Boulder, So.; Emily Lavalley, The Classical Academy, Jr.; Allie Parks, Greeley Central, So.; Kat Robinson, Nederland, Jr.; Natosha Rogers, Dakota Ridge, Sr.; Kara Slavoski, St. Mary's, Jr.; Shelby Stableford, The Classical Academy, Fr.

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