Undefeated Boulder Boys Cross Country Dominates Liberty Bell Meet in 2025 Season

In the heart of Boulder's vibrant running community, the boys cross country team remains unstoppable this fall.

Three races deep into the season, the Panthers claimed another victory at the renowned Liberty Bell event over the weekend.

Amid fierce individual rivalries, where several athletes clocked times below 15 minutes, the squad pulled together for a commanding team win.

They tallied 97 points, outpacing the runner-up by a wide margin of 48.

This triumph follows successes at earlier competitions in Cheyenne Mountain and Wyoming.

Lucas Wik led the charge, finishing just shy of a sub-15-minute mark with an impressive 15:00.2, securing ninth overall.

The team's strength stems from a tight-knit group of seniors who've built chemistry since their early days.

Wik shared that the group's continuity fuels their drive, noting how they've grown together from middle school onward.

Last year, they placed fourth in the 5A state finals, with Toby Wong and Cooper Draves finishing neck-and-neck alongside Wik.

That intense camaraderie and friendly rivalry keep pushing them forward.

At Liberty Bell, Wong crossed at 15:20.3 for 22nd, while Draves followed closely at 15:24.2 in 25th.

Draves reflected on the thrill of discovering their national potential, turning initial nerves into motivation.

Now, they're focusing on team unity rather than rankings, aiming to peak for November's state meet.

Standouts like Ulysses Paulsrud praised the course's favorable layout, which helped drop times amid perfect weather.

Junior Jack Rhodes and senior Faolan Dougherty rounded out the top performers, boosting their soccer-honed fitness into cross country success.

With Boulder's trails buzzing and community events like local XC series gaining traction, the Panthers are inspiring young runners citywide.

As the season progresses, eyes are on this powerhouse to potentially climb even higher in state standings.