News Summary

The Fossil Ridge High School girls track and field team made history by winning the Class 5A state championship at Jeffco Stadium. This achievement marks the school’s first-ever track team title and Fort Collins’ first 5A title since 2016. The team excelled in relay races, including a season-best time in the 4X100 relay. Their win is a testament to teamwork and dedication, building on their strong performances throughout the season. Coach Aaron Waters expresses optimism for future titles as the team aims for continued success.

Fort Collins Girls Track and Field Team Makes Historic Win

In an incredible display of teamwork and determination, the Fossil Ridge High School girls track and field team has made history by seizing the Class 5A state championship title at Jeffco Stadium. Competing fiercely on May 17, this marks a monumental achievement as it is the first track team title—boys or girls—in the school’s history and the first 5A title for Fort Collins since the girls team at Fort Collins High School lifted the trophy in 2016.

What makes this triumph even more remarkable is that the SaberCats didn’t need to win individual events to claim their glory. Instead, they showcased the essence of teamwork and collaboration, securing the championship through their collective efforts.

A Stellar Relay Performance

The highlight of the meet for Fossil Ridge came in the 4X100 relay event, where the dedicated team sprinted to victory with a stunning season-best time of 46.62 seconds. This win was particularly special, as it was only the third time this quartet of athletes had raced together. The team, consisting of Ellia Anderson, Katie Feldman, Ava Hurlbut, and Addyson Smith, demonstrated what it meant to work in harmony, sharing their joy and pride in achieving this milestone.

But that wasn’t all—Fossil Ridge also earned commendable placements in other relay events. The team managed to land a second place finish in both the 4X200 and 4X400 relays, and even claimed third in the 4X800 relay. All these contributions amassed a whopping 97 points for the SaberCats, which left them a full 25.5 points ahead of the runner-up Cherry Creek.

A Journey of Hard Work and Dedication

Reflecting on their journey, last year’s close finish, where they ended up second, only 8.5 points behind the champions Rock Canyon, fueled their desire for this season. With determination and an understanding of their potential, the SaberCats set out to surpass those previous accomplishments, aiming for greatness.

Under the guidance of Coach Ray Bozmans, the team proudly embraced their deep reserves of talent, which was honed over the past seasons. Special efforts paid off in various areas. Notably, the distance runners flourished under cross country coach Dani Cook’s expertise, while the sprinters and jumpers improved significantly throughout the season.

At the start of the season, members of the team were already proving their prowess by breaking personal and school records in early meets. This motivated and invigorated the entire team, leading them towards their well-deserved state championship victory.

Dominating the City Championships

This remarkable performance also followed their earlier dominance at the Randy Yaussi City Championships, where the SaberCats swept both the boys’ and girls’ city titles for the first time. The Fossil boys scored an impressive 273 points, while the girls showcased their skills by amassing 305.5 points. Highlighting their dominance, the Fossil Ridge girls won a total of 16 events at the meet, securing 13 second-place finishes and even sweeping six events with first and second place finishes.

Among the standout moments at the city meet was the girls’ 1-2 finish in the 100-meter dash and Mac Busteed’s impressive sweep in both the discus and shot put events. Fossil’s girls also celebrated victories in triple jump and shot put, with contributions from athletes such as Addison Hayes and Emma Stalter.

Future Aspirations

Looking forward, the excitement doesn’t seem to stop here. The achievement at state is not just a pinnacle but a stepping stone for the Fossil Ridge track team. With aspirations high, Coach Aaron Waters praises the team’s growth and the vision they have for future conference titles and strong showings at the state level. The SaberCats have proven that, with hard work and unity, breaking records and making history is entirely within reach.

As the story of the Fossil Ridge High School girls track and field team unfolds, their journey serves as an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved when athletes come together and support one another in pursuit of excellence.

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