Crossing the finish

Four district titles. Four regional titles. Four state appearances. One state championship. And those are just her cross country highlights.

Senior Madie Boreman is the most decorated athlete in the school’s eight year history. And she’s about to run her final high school race – the 6A state cross country meet.

“Madie’s successes have brought local, state and national attention to our Rouse community,” cross country coach Kelly Thompson said. “She joins elite company across the area and state being able to say that she has four state cross country races and eight races, with the possibility adding more track races in the spring.”

As a freshman, Boreman won the 5A state cross country meet in 17:53.04, eight seconds before the runner up.

“Her first year was the first year we raced in the 5A and she won it, so Madie will be in the record books forever,” Thompson said. “Even though I treated her like a freshman, she won. I didn’t run her as much as the seniors; she was only running the 20 hours a week like every other freshman.”

Thompson trained Boreman all four years of high school, but has actually known her since seventh grade and even heard about her when she was only an elementary school runner. As her coach, he’s been a mentor and supporter, helping her reach goals, like breaking a mile in five minutes.

“Coach Thompson has been great,” Boreman said. “Even when I didn’t do so well in sophomore year he has been there to help me get back to where I need to be.”

For the senior, winning state as a freshman was a blessing and a curse. While it was a great start to her running career and a foundation for cross country, she also felt like it would be hard living up to that win.

“It was great, but definitely hard,” Boreman said. “After freshman year I didn’t realize the intensity it took and sophomore year I didn’t train as hard so I didn’t do as good. But by now, it’s a confidence builder.”

But it was clear Boreman did have confidence early on. She’s dominated the competition for four years, consistently placing in the top 10 at invitationals and meets. She’s won every district and regionals all four years of high school twice in 5A and twice in 6A. She’s qualified for state each fall, winning the race as a freshman. Sophomore year she finished seventh and as a junior she was 15^th. On Saturday, Boreman will be back at familiar racing grounds for one final chance to reach the podium.

“I’m definitely excited because I’m at a better fitness level than I have been in the past. The workouts have been better, and I’ve been running more,” Boreman said. “As for Old Settlers, we run it three times a year including state so we are all pretty aware with how the course is even though they change the track every year.”

After last year’s seniors graduated, Boreman stepped up to fill the role of a leader. While she had previously been a great addition to the team, she is now also mentoring the members.

“Her training partners were the boys so she really helped them train more than anything because they didn’t want to lose to her,” Thompson said. “And this year she has really stepped up and taken the whole team under her wings.”

After visiting several schools that were interested in her, Boreman announced next week she’ll run cross country and track for The University of Colorado.

“I think it will be fun, going into a good team and running with people faster than me,” Boreman said. “They won the Pac-12, and they are really competitive. Also, I have family there and just love the place in general.”

Following this weekend, Boreman will turn her attention to track, looking to add to her state appearances in May. After that, running for Colorado is the next big step in the senior’s athletic career.

“She has brought notoriety,” Thompson said. “She has had her name in the paper a bunch, she’s decorated, and has put in a lot of work. Madie is ready for a whole other level.”