Timnath High School Girls Cross Country Team Wins Second Consecutive State Championship
Timnath High School's girls cross country team captured its second straight Class 4A state championship in November, cementing the new school's status as a rising force in Colorado high school athletics.
The team finished with 107 points at the state meet in Colorado Springs, edging Battle Mountain's 122 points and Summit's 124 points in a closely contested race, according to Poudre School District. Under head coach Matt Miltenberg, the squad demonstrated the depth and team cohesion that powered their 2024 title defense.
"The team claimed the title with 107 points, showcasing their depth and resilience," according to the district announcement. "Every runner mattered in bringing home back-to-back state titles."
Rapid Success for New School
Timnath Middle-High School opened to students in fall 2022 as part of Poudre School District's expansion to serve rapidly growing communities in eastern Larimer County. The consecutive championships represent the only state titles in the school's brief athletic history.
The team competed in its first season at the Class 3A level before moving to Class 4A for the 2023-2024 school year as enrollment growth qualified the school for the larger classification. Colorado High School Activities Association determines classifications based on student enrollment numbers, with Class 4A typically including schools with 600 to 1,399 students.
Back-to-back state championships are uncommon in Colorado high school cross country due to regional competition intensity and annual graduation turnover. According to CHSAA championship archives, fewer than five schools have won three or more consecutive girls or boys cross country state championships in any classification during the past 20 years.
Team Scoring System Rewards Depth
Cross country team scores are determined by adding the finishing positions of each team's top five runners, with the lowest total winning the championship. Timnath's 107-point total meant the combined placement of its first five scoring runners narrowly surpassed Battle Mountain and Summit in the competitive field.
The Class 4A state championship features approximately 20 to 25 full teams competing on a 5,000-meter course at Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. Winning teams typically post scores below 120 points, with championship races frequently decided by narrow margins among top finishers.
Successful programs build depth across their entire roster rather than relying on individual star runners. Teams with strong sixth and seventh runners can displace competitors' scoring athletes, increasing rival point totals and improving their own championship prospects.
Regional Context and Comparison
Within Poudre School District, no other high school has won consecutive cross country state championships during the period since Timnath opened. The district's established schools including Fort Collins High School, Fossil Ridge, Poudre and Rocky Mountain have accumulated state titles across multiple sports but have not matched Timnath's immediate cross country dominance.
Niwot High School in Boulder County won at least seven girls cross country state championships in eight years before moving to Class 5A in 2024. The Classical Academy claimed three consecutive girls titles as of 2024 in Class 3A competition.
Other Northern Colorado schools have achieved repeat championships in different sports during the past decade. Eaton High School won consecutive football state titles, while Fort Collins and Rocky Mountain high schools captured back-to-back championships in baseball and swimming.
Poudre School District operates as one of Colorado's largest and most competitive school systems for athletics, particularly in Class 5A and 4A divisions. District schools have won dozens of state titles across sports including baseball, swimming, track and field, and cross country.
Questions about Timnath High School athletics can be directed to Poudre School District at 970-490-3500.