Niwot’s Hunter Robbie Leads Team to Historic XC Victories

BREAKING: Niwot senior Hunter Robbie has been named the Longmont Times-Call Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year after leading his team to remarkable victories this season. The Cougars clinched their third consecutive state championship and their second straight national title at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) this past weekend in Portland, Oregon.

In a historic performance, Robbie’s team scored just 28 points at the state meet in Colorado Springs, marking the lowest score on record in the state’s 5A classification. This exceptional achievement was followed by an even more impressive result at NXN, where the Cougars finished with a combined score of 61 points, the fewest in the event’s 21-year history.

Robbie finished just 1.2 seconds behind teammate Quinn Sullivan, taking fifth place individually. Reflecting on the team’s success, Robbie stated, “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy (at NXN) because there were a bunch of great teams. But I feel like our team just tried harder this year and worked harder this year.”

Despite his team’s historic achievements, Robbie’s individual prowess shines through. He won three meets this fall, including the prestigious Centaurus Bernie Gay Invitational and the Granite Peak League Championships. He placed second in three additional competitions, including the challenging regional meet where he was narrowly beaten by teammate Rocco Culpepper, and at the state meet by the record-setting Ben Adams.

Coach Kelly Christensen praised Robbie’s work ethic and competitive spirit. “He just loves to compete,” Christensen said. “He’s begging me every week to race, even if it’s a JV race. He just loves the competition. It fuels him.”

Looking ahead, Robbie is set to join the Duke University cross country program next year, attracted by their growth potential. “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,” he said.

As Niwot’s legacy continues to grow, Robbie’s individual journey reflects the spirit of hard work and determination that has defined the Cougars’ historic season. With the spotlight now on both the team and Robbie, the future looks bright for this talented athlete.

Stay tuned for more updates as Niwot’s remarkable journey unfolds in the competitive world of high school cross country.