Niwot girls cross-country team and coach honored

Halftime of the Niwot-Thompson Valley boys basketball game provided an opportunity for Niwot athletic director Joe Brown to recognize the Niwot High School girls cross-country team and Coach Kelly Christensen for their outstanding season, which included not only a state Class 4A state title, but also a national cross-country championship.

After the state high school championship, the squad traveled to Huntsville, Ala. for the national cross-country championship, and came back with a victory. After introducing the coach and team to the crowd, Brown said, "It's never been done before in the history of Colorado."

Terri Ward, former Niwot teacher and girls basketball coach, then took the floor to announce that Coach Christensen had been named the high school Coach of the Year by the Sportswomen of Colorado, an organization that has been around for 48 years promoting and honoring women's participation in sports in Colorado at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.

Ward, who serves as vice-president of the organization and on the board of directors, also announced that the Niwot girls cross-country team had been selected as girls cross-country team of the year. A banquet honoring Christensen and the Niwot girls squad is set for March 13 at 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Tech Center in Denver.

Christensen graciously acknowledged the awards on behalf of himself and the team. "It really is an honor," he said. "The girls have made me cry on more than one occasion."

Christensen went on to describe the hard work the team members put in. "It's what we do, day in and day out, six days a week, at 7 a.m., Monday through Saturday, year round, acting like champions." He concluded by addressing the team, saying, "What you accomplished is not normal."