Kyle Ames

The top boys performances delivered at the Liberty Bell Cross Country Invitational in meet history.

The power surge doesn't get much bigger than it is when Zainab Sanni and Chyna Ries come off the line. Photo by Alan Versaw.

This week's outa-nowhere athlete is Pine Creek's Alleandra Watt. Meet the freshman who won the Palmer Terror Invitational. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Even from the early stages of the races, Colorado's top snowshoers were in control. Photo by Jim Lewis.

If you're looking for a sleeper in the 4A 1600, Durango's Joe Maloney just might be your guy. Colorado Track XC file photo.

The best snowshoers in Colorado will be matched against the best snowshoers in the nation this weekend at Summit High School in Frisco. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Kyle Ames and Sam Lewis strike a pose in their winners' headgear. All photos by Alan Versaw. Free content.

At almost 4K into the race, Sam Lewis was still setting the pace for Kyle Ames and Josh Fowler. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Shelby Stableford and Regan Mullen ran side-by-side much of the fall, but it will be a different story this fall as they are separated by half a continent. Photo by Alan Versaw. Free content.

Coach Gregg Smith passes on some last-minute instructions to the Gunnison girls. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Several of the teams on this regional starting line will be back in action this week at state. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Some go into the water at Horizon Runners Roost with a little extra flair. A little backlighting helps, too. Photo by Bill Stahl.

Monarch's girls and a few bold enough to run with them pass under the shade of an enormous tree at Saturday's Pat Patten Invitational in Boulder. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Rachel Hampton and Kyle Ames stole a little thunder from the favored runners on opening weekend. Contributed Photo/Photo by Alan Versaw.

For most of the boys on this start line, this was the beginning of the competitive season for 2011. Photo by Alan Versaw.   Last year, there was a lot of complaining about the Arapahoe County Fairgrounds course. Too windy, too dusty, too difficult. If only we could have started using this course in 2011, there would have been a lot of people feeling differently about this one. Both 5A races were exemplary of exactly what makes cross country so much fun.

Jesus Herrera and Jen Lehr both had the kind of seasons last fall that make you eager to see what they can accomplish this fall. Colorado Track XC file photos.

Dakota Ridge's Daniel Carney enters the summer as one of the top 5A boys favorites. Photo by Alan Versaw.

And they're off... the Colorado 2011 high school state snowshoe championships.

Danny Carney, shown here battling Will Kincaid for the lead late in the 5A state race, will be the top returning finisher in 5A Boys. Photo by Alan Versaw.  

Arapahoe (left) got out to a strong start, but Smoky Hill (right) prevailed in the end. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Shelby Stableford surprised a few fans of cross country--and her coach--by cruising to a 12-second victory at the St. Vrain Invitational on Saturday. Photo by Alan Versaw.