Denver East’s Rosie Mucharsky, a Notre Dame signee, wins third 5A 800-meter state title
Denver East senior and two-time defending 5A 800-meter champion Rosie Mucharsky wins her third 5A 800-meter state title on Friday, May 16, 2025, at JeffCo Stadium in Lakewood, Colo. (Parker Seibold, The Gazette)
Parker Seibold
LAKEWOOD — Rosie Mucharsky made the final turn of the state championship race with her lead slipping away.
The Denver East senior and two-time defending 5A 800-meter champion appeared poised to threepeat Friday at Jeffco Stadium before a late charge from Lakewood senior Elaina Angelino. Mucharsky fell behind with about 100 meters left at Jeffco Stadium.
That’s when the Angels’ distance phenom — signed to run collegiately at Notre Dame — activated her kick.
“I was just telling myself: No one beats you the last 200 meters,” Mucharsky said. “I really trust my kick and I feel like it’s always there. I knew I could do it. I knew I just had to push myself to the next gear.”
It worked.
Mucharsky pulled away down the final stretch to win the CHSAA state 800-meter girls’ championship at 2:09.26. She isn’t done yet. Mucharsky is also a favorite to win the 1600-meter race on Saturday, too, in a loaded final with 12 of 18 runners qualifying with times under 5 minutes.
“Colorado is really amazing. You see the talent. You see most of the girls here in 3A, 4A and 5A at those national meets. It’s amazing to be around all the depth and have so many people to push you,” Mucharsky said. “The Colorado running community is just incredible. I feel like I’ve gotten to know literally everyone. … I’m running with some people that I love and are really strong athletes. I love coming to state to see all of my running friends. It’s so amazing.”
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Mucharsky will compete next fall for Notre Dame in cross country, outdoor and indoor track.
“I just love Notre Dame,” Mucharsky said. “The coach is really amazing. I just knew I could trust him right from our first phone call. Then when I visited the campus, the environment was amazing. The culture and traditions. Also, the team is so nice and uplifting. … I’m excited to have a team that will qualify for nationals.”
What would it mean for Mucharsky to take home the 1600-meter crown on Saturday?
“It would be so awesome,” Mucharsky told The Denver Gazette. “Another stacked event. But it would be so cool. Because it’s my last high school race in Colorado. … It’s bittersweet. I’m really excited to move on to my next chapter, but I also love the Colorado running community.
“My mom literally said this morning: Just take some time and soak it up.”
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