UPDATE: Niwot senior Hunter Robbie has been named the Daily Camera Boys XC Runner of the Year after leading his team to historic victories this fall. The Cougars clinched their third consecutive state title and their second Nike Cross Nationals championship in a row, achieving record-breaking scores along the way.
In a thrilling state meet in Colorado Springs on November 4, Robbie helped secure a team score of just 28 points, the lowest ever recorded in Colorado’s 5A classification. This past weekend, they continued their dominance at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) in Portland, Oregon, scoring only 61 points—the fewest in the event’s 21-year history.
Robbie finished a mere 1.2 seconds behind teammate Quinn Sullivan, placing fifth individually, while Sullivan took sixth. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy at NXN with so many great teams,” Robbie stated. “But I feel like our team just tried harder this year and worked harder this year.”
Despite the team’s historic achievements, Robbie’s individual performance was nothing short of spectacular. He was victorious in three major meets this season, including the prestigious Centaurus Bernie Gay Invitational with 25 schools, the St. Vrain Invite with 51 teams, and the Granite Peak League Championships. He also secured second place at regionals and state, showcasing his fierce competitive spirit.
Niwot coach Kelly Christensen praised Robbie’s dedication: “He just loves to compete. He’s begging me every week to race, even in JV races. It fuels him.” Christensen relayed this enthusiasm to Duke University, where Robbie has committed to continue his running career next year. “I think they’re an up-and-coming program, so I thought it would be cool to be a part of a team that is trying to get better every year,” Robbie explained.
The Cougars’ achievements not only reflect the individual talent of athletes like Robbie but also the collective effort and hard work that has defined their season. As they look forward to the future, fans and supporters are eager to see how this historic squad continues to evolve.
Stay tuned for more updates on Robbie and Niwot’s remarkable journey in high school cross country.
