Greatness runs in the Ritzenhein family, and Addison Ritzenhein is the latest recipient of a prestigious honor.
On Monday, it was announced that Ritzenhein was named the 2023-24 Gatorade Colorado Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. She’s the second athlete from Niwot High School to receive the award following Elise Cranny, who received the award in the 2013-2014 season.
Ritzenhein had a great sophomore campaign on the cross country course this past season competing for Niwot. She won the Nike Cross National Championship back in December with her time of 17:10.40. She also won the Colorado Cross Country State Championships this past season as well.
Ritzenhein is the daughter of the legendary runner Dathan Ritzenhein, who is the current head coach of the On Athletics Club that trains in Colorado. Dathan was a two-time Gatorade Michigan Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year, and won two Foot Locker National Championships. Among his numerous accomplishments, Ritz is also the former men’s 5000m American record holder.
The Gatorade National Athlete of the Year was established in 1985, and athletes are selected from 12 different sports across 50 states.
