It was at last year's Morris Vogel Invitational that Air Academy's Allie McLaughlin caught everyone by surprise, bursting onto the high school scene with her first victory during her first week of running on the Kadets cross country team.

A year later, and with a state track title to her credit, McLaughlin still is able to shock the running community.

McLaughlin's performance at this year's event at deKoevend Park on Friday was remarkable, as the senior flew through the 3.1-mile course in 17 minutes, 46 seconds. The time would have placed her in the top 10 in the boys division.

Her time was only 1:19 behind the boys winner, Joseph Manilafasha of Denver North, who won the race for the third consecutive year with a time of 16:27. He finished ahead of Mullen senior Andrew Berberick (16:58).

Durango claimed the boys title with 99 points, while Doherty won the girls team title with 103.

"That's the only way I know how to run," McLaughlin said of dropping her competition in the first half-mile of the race with an opening mile split of 5:18. "There was a lot of competition here (Friday), so I was a little intimidated with who else was in the race. I had to choose whether or not I wanted to go, or sit back and see what happens. I chose to go (Friday)."

McLaughlin, who won the Class 5A state track title in the 3,200 meters, said she was nervous to face Littleton senior Camille Logan and Highlands Ranch sophomore Eleanor Fulton, who claimed the 1,600 title in the spring.

Logan and Fulton were never within reach of McLaughlin, though, as Logan finished second (19:31) and Fulton third (19:55).

"Track gave me so much enthusiasm for this season, so I worked really hard this summer," McLaughlin said. "So, I'm pretty happy with how I did."

On the boys side, Manilafasha - the 2006 4A state cross country champion who finished third last year - took some time off this summer to nurse injuries. He was happy to get a win in his first race of the season and says he hopes he can return as the state's top runner.

"I've been starting to train really hard, and I hope this could be my year," Manilafasha said. "A good season is what any senior can really hope for."

And Manilafasha didn't waste any time. He is known for setting the pace early, and he broke away from the pack just after his opening mile split of 4:44.

"He always does the same thing and just takes off after the first mile," Berberick said. "So, I went into today thinking I would just stay with him for as long as I could. He's a smart runner, and he looked really good out there."