Vanessa Abrahamson Blog: Cherry Creek’s Riley Stewart is considered Colorado’s best distance runner

LAKEWOOD — In preparation for this year’s State Track Meeting, St. Mary’s Junior Jackson Neppl pored over hours on videos of past races, studied Colorado’s top distance runners and saw what he could add to his own approach.

But there was one runner he kept coming back to: Cherry Creek girl star Riley Stewart.

“I’ve looked at all her races, all her interviews,” said Neppl, who won the Class 2A 800m and 1,600m races. “Your racing technique is impeccable. I’ve noticed that sometimes when she’s up against a big competition, when she’s not up front right away, she likes to sit and kick. She doesn’t go too hard too soon so she can keep that 500, 400, 300 meter kick. She is as confident as she is talented. I try to follow that, her flowing stride, her arm movement, everything.”

Neppl was one of Stewart’s many admirers this weekend at Jeffco Stadium, where the Bruins veteran finished her high school career in what some argue makes her the greatest distance runner in Colorado prep history.

Stanford native Stewart won the 1,600 and 3,200 meters and anchored the Bruins’ title-winning 4×800 relay. That gives Stewart seven state titles in her career after winning four as a junior. Throw in three 5A cross-country championships, and that’s 10 rings total.

“Colorado had such incredible long-distance runners overall, men and women, so she’s the best that’s ever come out of the state — that’s really saying a lot,” said Grandview coach John Reyes, whose boys won their second straight team title Sunday . “I don’t think there is an argument. She is the best. Look at the times.”

Stewart holds state records at 1,600 (4:44.13 at last year’s Stutler Twilight Invitational to break the mark of Air Academy’s Katie Rainsberger) and 3,200 (10:06.23 at the same meet this year to break the mark by Brie Oakley of Grandview).

In Reyes’ eyes, Stewart edged out both runners in the Colorado prep. And now Stewart has the potential to break national high school records, too.

Next month Stewart will compete in the mile at the Brooks PR Invitational in Seattle and a few days later will travel to Oregon to run the two mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene.

“I would guess that she could run faster than Brie at sea level when Brie broke the national record (2017 at Brooks over two miles),” Reyes said. “Stewart is capable of setting a national high school record, no question.”

Riley Stewart celebrates after winning the... — Chet Strange, special for the Denver Post

Riley Stewart celebrates after winning Class 5A 1600 during the State Athletics Championships on Sunday May 22, 2022 at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.

Stewart’s performance paved the way for Cherry Creek’s second and first title since 2013. Kinsey Christianson also won multiple titles (400 and 800) as the Iowa State Commitment defeated Stewart in the final race. Christianson was also the inaugural runner in Cherry Creek’s 4×400 relay, which took first place.

“(Christianson) is in the sprint group and I’m in the distance group in training, so the event was like a battle for the middle for us,” Stewart said. “We’ve never really raced each other this season (in the 800) but to lose to them makes me happy and happy for them. In the last 200 (meters) she just beat me. I’m proud of my team-mate.”

In that sense, Stewart has stayed humble throughout her rise to running celebrity. Cherry Creek trainer Delisa McDavid describes Stewart as “very genuine and not at all about herself, and funny and quirky and just kind of refreshing.”

“Her head could have exploded (with excitement) but it didn’t,” added Kel McDavid, one of the Bruins’ star sprinters and an Oklahoma member. “It’s been so much fun to see her achieve the success she’s had and continue to be herself every single day…she drives our team forward every day.” Even the guys on our team, she makes others better – she beats about half the guys.”

While Cherokee Trail and Fort Collins tested the Bruins, the depth of Cherry Creek ultimately gave them the trophy. The Bruins won despite not winning the marquee sprint events claimed by Centennial League opponents. Cherokee Trail junior Symone Adams won the 100 in 12.18 and her Cougars finished second, while Eaglecrest’s Haley Esser won the 200 in 24.73.

Stewart beat the Bruins by 38 single points on pace just a few years after finally deciding to quit football and volleyball to focus on running. A promising athlete down the club track in both sports, Stewart played midfield for Colorado Real and middle blocker for 303 Volleyball.

But about halfway through high school, she made the right and easy decision.

Cherry Creek's 5A Girls 4x800 meters ... — RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post

The Cherry Creek 5A Girls 4×800 meter relay team hug after winning the race during the 2022 Colorado State Track and Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium May 19, 2022 in Lakewood.

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