Avery Breitigam Wins Regional Cross-Country Title
The Fossil Ridge athlete led from the start to claim victory at Spring Canyon Park.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Track & Field
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Avery Breitigam secured the Colorado Class 5A Region 4 girls individual cross-country title after leading the entire race. She finished the course in 18 minutes and 20 seconds, crossing the line five seconds ahead of runner-up Maya DiGiallonardo.
Why it matters
The regional meet serves as the qualifying event for the state cross-country competition. The top four teams and top 15 individual finishers earned their spots in the upcoming state championship.
Avery Breitigam finished the girls race in 18 minutes and 20 seconds, while Will Johns completed the boys race in 15 minutes and 59 seconds. Niwot claimed the girls team title with 23 points, significantly ahead of second-place Fossil Ridge's 73 points.
The players
Avery Breitigam
She is a cross-country runner for Fossil Ridge who won the Class 5A Region 4 individual title.
Maya DiGiallonardo
She is a cross-country runner who finished in second place at the regional meet.
Will Johns
He is a runner who finished the boys race in 15 minutes and 59 seconds.
The details
Breitigam separated herself from the pack immediately after the opening gun and maintained her advantage until the finish. Along with her individual win, the Fossil Ridge girls team successfully qualified for the state meet by placing second overall.
Timeline
The regional cross-country meet took place on October 22, 2026.
The state cross-country meet is scheduled for October 31, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This race marks the critical transition from regional competition to the state championship cycle defined by CHSAA qualification rules. Successful athletes and teams now shift their focus to the state meet at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
The Fossil Ridge girls team and other regional qualifiers have officially earned their spots in the state championship field. Individual runners who placed in the top 15 alongside Breitigam and DiGiallonardo will also advance to compete in Colorado Springs.
The takeaway
Advancing to the state level requires consistent pacing and performance under regional pressure. Athletes like Breitigam who secure early leads often find success by maintaining that intensity through the final stages of the qualifying race.
What happens next
The state cross-country meet is scheduled for October 31, 2026, at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
Further reading
For more on local high school running, visit the Track & Field section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Coloradoan.
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