Ella Hagen, already a three-sport individual state champion, adds another trophy by dominating Class 4A state cross country meet

COLORADO SPRINGS — Whether it be on the snow, track or trail, Ella Hagen cannot be stopped.

The Summit senior won her second Class 4A cross country crown on Saturday at the Norris Penrose Event Center, adding to her impressive three-sport trophy case that already features championships in Nordic skate skiing as well as an array of track medals, including the 1,600-meter title.

The CU commit blew away the 4A field with a time of 17 minutes, 30.7 seconds, winning by 47.5 seconds over runner-up Cloe Ruth of Silver Creek. She was ahead by less than a second at the one-mile mark before quickly distancing herself from the field.

“This course is where I’ve kind of become the runner I am, and it’s taught me a lot,” Hagen said. “Today was special, and amazing.

“(Four state titles across three sports) is more than I ever imagined I’d be able to do. All three sports really fuel me. Being able to compete and win in all of them is incredible. They all feed off each other, and it shows what’s possible. I want people to realize you can do everything you love; you don’t necessarily have to pick one or the other. You can have all of it.”

Especially when you are as talented as Hagen, who, if not for Niwot star Addison Ritzenhein (whose Cougars moved up to Class 5A for cross country this fall, but will remain in 4A in track in the spring), would have a third title in cross country and a 3,200-meter title in track.

Hagen lost to Ritzenhein in both those races and also beat the nationally renowned distance runner two seasons ago at 4A state cross country to deal Ritzenhein a rare loss within Colorado.

Summit senior Ella Hagen runs the final stretch en route to her Class 4A title on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at the 2024 CHSAA state cross country meet at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Kyle Newman, The Denver Post)

Hagen credited her rivalry with Ritzenhein, as well as other runners in a state known for its elite female distance talent, for fueling her success. Ritzenhein continued her running supremacy by cruising to the 5A title on Saturday with a time of 16:54.7 — 27 seconds faster than the runner-up.

“Racing Addie makes me a better human being in general,” Hagen said. “She’s incredible, and she drives me to be the absolute best version I can be because it’s never going to be easy racing her or any of the girls in Colorado. Being a Colorado runner has helped me get to where I am, because there’s always some amazing girls out there to push me, and many of them are my closest friends in many ways.”

Hagen’s athletic genes and family support system also get some credit for her three-sport success.