LAKEWOOD — When it comes to girls distance running, Colorado is the queen of the country. As evidence of the Centennial State’s standing in the sport, just look at the results from the 2023 Nike Cross Nationals last November, when four locals finished in the Top 10. Niwot’s Addison Ritzenhein was first, Air Academy’s Bethany Michalak second, Liberty Common’s Isabel Allori fourth and Summit’s Ella Hagen tenth, while a trio of local squads topped the team standings in Niwot, Air Academy and Mountain Vista. “It was like Colorado beating the whole country, basically,” Allori said with a laugh.