The favored West High School boys cross country team won the state Class 5A title Saturday, ending a long drought in state championships for the school.

West was led by sophomore Aden Ahmed (who finished ninth overall), junior Jesse Romero (14th), junior Frank Medina (25th), junior Daniel Trujillo (28th) and freshman Mohammed Ige (29th).

"This means the world to our school," West co-coach Luis Cruz told The Denver Post.  Cruz is a 1989 West High School graduate. "There was a lot of pressure on the guys because they had to prove one more time that we have the No. 1 team. They won the title for all the West teams in all sports that just couldn't do it, and there were a lot of alums, faculty and even some former principals here to honor our team."

West High School (951 Elati St.) beat second-place Cherry Creek High School for the title.

"When I came here three years ago, I told people we can produce a state champion with the kids we have and that you don't have to be a Cherry Creek or a Mullen or have a lot of transfers," co-coach Brad Barnes told The Post. "The grade point average for these guys is 3.6, and we don't really have a top runner."

The same West High School Cross Country Team also placed second in the 5K Boys Invitational meet in late September in Charlotte, North Carolina.  At the time, the success in Charlotte placed West High School in the Top 25 in national rankings for the sport.