Niwot track teams highlighted at St. Vrain board meeting after string of state championships

Niwot High School coaches and athletes told the St. Vrain Valley Schools Board of Education on Aug. 13 that both the girls and boys track teams posted state championships this spring and described the program’s emphasis on culture and inclusion.
The presentation, given during the district’s public meeting by Athletic Department representative Chase and Niwot Athletic Director Joe Brown, noted multiple individual state champions and relay wins and included coach remarks about the values behind the teams’ success.
Brown said the teams benefited from wide community and school support, including facilities staff who repaired damaged gym equipment before the season. “We had individual state champions … and the girls relays in the 4 by 8 and the 4 by 2,” Brown told the board, enumerating several athletes and events. He also noted the girls team’s multiple state titles across recent years and the boys’ return to first place in 2025.
Coach “Moe” described the program’s priorities and credited the team’s culture for the results. “Our word this year was energy,” Moe said. “This upcoming year is gonna be culture. It’s about developing young people, and everybody has value, and running for each other, and running for a purpose.”
Board President Ragland and other trustees thanked coaches, the athletic department and facilities staff for their support. Ragland specifically praised facilities staff for rapidly repairing equipment and preparing fields and gyms over the summer.
The presentation included short introductions from student athletes who attended the meeting and listed event specialties; one student, Eliana Henriques, said she is a graduating senior headed to Clemson. Several student athletes noted relay and individual events in which they competed.
Why it matters: Board members framed the accomplishments as evidence of system-level support for student activities and cited the athletics program as an extension of classroom development and community engagement.
Background and details: Presenters said spring athletics produced many top-eight finishes across offered sports and that Niwot’s girls’ team has won state championships in multiple years (2013–15, 2019, 2021–25 series noted by presenters). The speakers named individual student champions including Addison Risenhine (1,600 and 3,200), Reese Casper (100 and 300 hurdles), Jade West (shot put and discus), Eliana Henriques (long jump), and boys such as Rocco Culpepper and Ryder Keaton in distance events. The board heard that roughly 20 members of the program are headed to college; presenters described that number as an approximate count.
The board’s public praise also highlighted the role of operations staff led by Brian (facilities) in readying venues and repairing equipment quickly so teams could practice and compete.
Next steps and look ahead: Coaches said the program will emphasize “culture” for the coming year and that several underclassmen are expected to return and contribute. No formal board action was taken on athletics during the meeting.