Here it is, your preseason picks for 5A!
Some of you have been itching for these to appear. Meanwhile, I've been checking around to see if there's any easy way out of doing these. It turns out there isn't. So, here we go with my best ideas at how 5A will shake out this spring...
5A Girls
1. Pine Creek - This one might stir up some controversy. But, living in Colorado Springs, I'm acutely aware that everyone around the Pine Creek track and field program seems to remember how close it was last year (four points). The Eagles have beaks securely fastened for battle. It's get it done this year or live with it for the rest of your life for a bunch of Pine Creek seniors.
2. Fort Collins - Make no mistake, Conrad Crist's crew isn't going to make this easy for anyone. This is a wonderfully talented team that should be fighting for a crown all the way through the last event on May 16.
3. ThunderRidge - Always go with a rising tide over an ebbing tide. Bit by bit, the ThunderRidge program has been getting consistently better over recent years. Could the Grizzlies be ready to mix it up for a title? Perhaps Pine Creek isn't the only green and blue team Fort Collins needs to worry about?
4. Rampart - Perhaps another surprising pick, but Rampart has enough field event talent in place to create some serious difficulties for the rest of 5A.
5. Rocky Mountain - Carly Lester could easily be the athlete scoring the most points in this year's 5A girls state meet. If the Lobos pick up a few more points, they could be in the thick of things.
6. Cherry Creek - Still a couple of good, solid producers, but the departure of Ashley Miller is a game changer for 5A girls.
7. Denver East - We all know about Damajahnee Birch, but the depth and breadth of this team could sneak up on a few people this spring.
8. Cherokee Trail - Sprints, jumps, and relays should determine how far this team goes this spring. CT could easily rise above #8 if things go well.
9. Rock Canyon - If you don't know yet that the Jaguars have added a game changer to their roster, you will soon enough.
10. Fountain-Fort Carson - Lots of talent that can score at state, but those points may not come in big enough bunches to put the Trojans among the top teams at state.
5A Boys
1. Fountain-Fort Carson - This is far from a done deal, but the sheer depth and breadth of talent in this program makes it very hard to pick anyone else as a preseason #1.
2. Grandview - Make way for the Wolves. This is a very, very good team.
3. Regis Jesuit - The guys are in place who can score big points at state. Scoring big points at state is crucial to making a title run.
4. Chaparral - It's an interesting mix of talent for Chap. The distance group will have to come up big if the Wolverines are to make a serious title bid.
5. Cherry Creek - The Bruins are always a contender, but Cherry Creek's boys still haven't won a state track and field title.
6. Cherokee Trail - An infusion of a little talent and CT's always-strong relays mean this team should be better than most people were figuring after graduation cleaned house last spring.
7. Broomfield - Way better than a lot of folks are thinking. The Eagles are nicely balanced across most event disciplines and should be making some serious noise in relays.
8. Monarch - Andrew Barlow comes in as the state's top pole vaulter. We have some idea of what Isaac Green and the rest of the distance group can do. Will Monarch have others stepping up to produce points?
9. Rocky Mountain - Max McDonald is a great start to your state scoring, but the Lobos will need more to keep pace with some great teams.
10. Arapahoe - The Warriors are perpetually solid and they have massive numbers out for track. In all those numbers, there has to be a surprise or two.