Van's Isaiah Colorado. (Brandon Ogden/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

VAN — Isaiah Colorado will conclude his high school cross country career at the UIL Cross Country State Championships.

“It’s very bittersweet,” Colorado said. “This is my last cross country race in this high school uniform. I’ve done it since seventh grade, so it’s definitely going to take a little toll on me. I’m excited, though, to show what I’ve got this last race.”

The Van High School senior will compete at the event for the third time and is scheduled to run at 10 a.m. Friday at Old Settlers Park in Round Rock.

“I’m very excited to go again,” Colorado said. “It’s been a great season. I always knew I could make it to state. Now, it’s just preparing to see how I do at state.”

Colorado placed second at the Class 4A Region II meet with a time of 15 minutes and 59.84 seconds, just behind Sunnyvale’s Tyrus Cowan (15:57.22) and well clear of Sanger’s Daniel Martinez (16:24.16).

Colorado said he ran a 16:04 at Old Settlers Park earlier this season, and said he would like to top that and hopefully get in the 15:30-40 range.

“I feel like I’ve matured so much in the sport of racing,” Colorado said. “I know what I should be able to do at state, so I’m ready for anything to be thrown at me.”

Colorado visited the state of Colorado for the second consecutive summer, along with other East Texas state qualifiers Dax Allen of Lindale, Kevin Velazquez of Canton and Miguel Cedillo and Kason Miles of Winona to train for multiple weeks.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I feel like going to Colorado the past two summers has helped me a tremendous amount.”

Colorado placed 38th at the state meet as a sophomore and 35th as a junior with a time of 16:43.4.