Grandview’s Brie Oakley named nation’s top girls cross country runner

Oakley, a senior who’s committed to run at the University of California at Berkeley next year, was given the award just 18 months after she began running competitively.

Christian Clark

Jan. 31, 2017, 3:33 p.m.

Grandview High School’s Brie Oakley was named the Gatorade National Girls Cross Country of Runner of the Year on Tuesday afternoon. Oakley, a senior who’s committed to run at the University of California at Berkeley next year, was given the award just 18 months after she began running competitively.

Two-time Olympian and professional distance runner Molly Huddle stopped by Grandview, which is in Aurora, to deliver the award in person.

Oakley did not lose a single race this season. In October, she won the Class 5A individual state championship by running a course-record of 17:07.83. Then in December, she won the Nike Cross National Finals with a time of 17:10.1.

This is the second straight year a Colorado girl was named the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year. Katie Rainsberger, who attended Air Academy High School in Colorado Springs, won it in 2016.

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The Curious Theatre Company on Acoma Street near 11th Avenue, Feb. 2, 2017.

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Community actiivst Poncho Espino speaks during a meeting of the National Western Center Citizens Advisory Committee in a NWC conference room in Elyria Swansea. July 22, 2021.

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Mayor Michael Hancock speaks during a mayoral candidate forum on environmental policy at the Alliance Center downtown, March 21, 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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