Though fast enough to score state points in both the 100 and 200, Tyler Pigford runs as relaxed as any sprinter you will find. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Last fall, Cheyenne Mountain cleaned house on the 4A ranks in cross country. They threaten to do it again this spring in track and field.
It will come as no surprise to learn that the Indians' strength this year lies in the middle distances. They are a legitimate threat to send four athletes to state in the 800. If they do, I believe they would be the first boys team to accomplish that feat. Needless to say, it more or less marks them as the preseason favorite to win the 4x800 as well. I'll try choose my words carefully here, but this is a team that could drop into the 7:40s. That means making a run at D'Evelyn's classification record is a distinct possibility. Smoky Hill's all-classification mark? That's a bit lofty, but stay tuned to see what happens before you dismiss the idea entirely. Staying healthy will be critical for this crew, however.
So who are those four? In alphabetical order by last name, they would be Jake Fox, Nolan Mayhew, Postyn Smith, and Chuck Zulanas. Or at least that's much hunch. If there's someone faster than one or more of these four, I may have underestimated the team. Zulanas and Mayhew will likely dabble in the 400 as well. Fox and Smith are more likely to be seen doubling in the 1600. Any way you look at it, it's a formidable lineup.
Does anyone run the 3200? Well, yes, and last year that responsibility fell to Mitch Kasyon. Kasyon is back this year with an eye on collecting a few points in that event. The 3200 may also be the favored place for Stan Lamborn and company to develop some of the younger talent on the team this spring.
Right now, there doesn't appear to be much on the horizon for Cheyenne Mountain in either field events or hurdles. That's a shame, too, because a few solid supporting points out of the field events or hurdles would give this team a considerable edge.
What Cheyenne Mountain does have, however, is two solid sprinters in Tyler Pigford and Jacob Skinner. At this point, Skinner appears to be a little on the outside looking in for state points, but could definitely add some strength to the sprint relays for the Indians. Pigford figures to place in state at 100 and possibly at 200 meters as well. Add a sprint relay or two for Pigford and you have his state schedule pretty well set. It's worth noting, though, that Cheyenne Mountain has eschewed the 4x200 in recent years. I'm not sure if that pattern means anything for this year, but it is a recent pattern. The 4x100, on the other hand, has been a serious point of emphasis.
It would appear, then, that any bids Cheyenne Mountain makes at taking charge of 4A will be heavily dependent on sprints and distance. That's kind of a thin hand from which to make a run at a state title. Thin as it may be, it's difficult to be "thicker" at the middle distances than Cheyenne Mountain is. And there is no better place to be loaded than the middle distances.
Teams that win 4x400s and 4x800s win a lot of state titles.
If you're skeptical of that idea, check out the recent history.