Jacob Benson

Joseph Manilafasha, a two-time state champion and one of the best the state has ever seen. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Are you ready to start thinking about cross country?

Luke Duggan raced very well at state last year and returns as 1A's #2 ranked 1600 this spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

If you guessed this young man as the 5A returning runner with the best 3200 time, you are an astute student of Colorado distance. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Jacob Benson, Senior, Platte Canyon - 3A Boys Runner of the Year. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Liam Meirow held off a late charge from close friend Ethan Gonzales to win the 4A boys state title. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Jacob Benson celebrates a hard-earned victory over Salida's Taylor Stack. Photo by Logan McCoy.

Job one for Chris Baker will be winning a team state title, but if things go well he may figure into the individual race as well. Photo by Ron Eberhard.

You can probably pick out Joshua Joseph, Cerake Geberkidane, and Connor Lockwood at the front of 5A Region 1's start from Thursday, but how many more of the harriers present can you put a name to? Photo by Cliff Jurgens.

Lindsey Chavez runs the last regional race of a very nice high school career on Friday. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Cerake Geberkidane crosses the finish mats just a little over 15-flat at Tuesday's DPS meet. Photo by Lyle Knudson.

It was a spectacularly loaded field for Thursday's Coronado Cougar Classic girls race. Photo by Tim Hilt.

Greg Eccher paces with Jake Erickson for a few moments before taking over at his home invitational. Photo by Michele Bisbee.

Pursued by a couple of hungry Bobcats, Luke Yeager ponders the move that would take him safely out of their reach. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Platte Canyon's Jacob Benson is the top returning finisher from last year's 3A state cross country race. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Jeff Switzer and Russ Hall make Estes Park the only team with two returning medalists from last fall. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Hurdler Matt Radich is one of the pieces of a fearsome Lyons track and field machine headed for Lakewood's Jeffco Stadium on May 16. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Phoebe Powell passes the baton to Lauren McDonald on Salida's winning 4x800 meter relay. Photo by Sarah Hudelson.

Evergreen's Jackson Sayler was very close at the finish of last year's 4A state 800. "Very close" has a way of eating at you clear through the winter. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Last spring, Yuma's Michael Howell was chasing the leaders in the 2A 400. It might be a different story this spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Anthony Thomas and Jeff Switzer were two of three Patriot League runners on the 3A boys all-state first team. Photos by Karen McCoy/Paul Jaeger.