The running Golddiggers are going to Colorado Springs this weekend.

After placing fourth and fifth respectively at Thursday’s regionals in Lyons, the Clear Creek girls and boys cross country teams are advancing to the Oct. 30 state meet at Norris Penrose Event Center.

For the girls team, Faith Ramsey ran the 5k course in 21:37 and placed third. Annika McKown and Bell Sleeper placed 10th and 15th, respectively.

For the boys, Ocean Caplan-Holdgrafer had a time of 18:27 and placed 13th. Xander Taylor came in 16th.

Assistant coach Ben Mahoney noted how the Clear Creek boys beat Yuma by five points, narrowly qualifying for state.

Going into regionals, the Golddiggers strategized on which schools and runners they could catch, and which ones would likewise be hunting them, according to Mahoney.

“It becomes a strategy of catching the right people, while making sure others don’t catch us,” he continued. “The sport seems like just running fast to most (people), but there is some strategy that can help score the most points possible.”

As the Golddiggers prepare for state, Mahoney said their biggest focus now is keeping themselves mentally strong.

“We have done the hard work all season long,” Mahoney said. “Now it’s time to show people what we can do.”