Though pictured here as a shot putter, Valarie Allman did her biggest damage in the discus this weekend, slinging the device over 157 feet. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Monarch's girls and a few bold enough to run with them pass under the shade of an enormous tree at Saturday's Pat Patten Invitational in Boulder. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Colorado Springs has been home to a lot of top cross country talent for a long time. Hannah Everson and Bryce Gregoire run in that tradition. Colorado Track XC file photos.

Cam Magnall flanked by two of his highest achieving athletes at Falcon High School, Wes Rickman and Kevin Johnson. Contributed photo.

Niwot's David Perry ranks among the leading contenders to fill the shoes of a brilliant graduated class in 4A boys cross country. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Broomfield's Trent Ireland is a threat to win a state sprint title sometime. If not this year, then certainly next. Photo by BroomfieldFan.

Most Surprising Performer - Joseph DeMoor, Senior, Buena Vista HS

Without a lights-out performance from sophomore Josh Simkins, TCA goes home with second place in 3A boys. Other state-champion teams have similar stories.

Coming off the hill at 1.8 miles, Walter Schafer and Evan Appel hold a small lead over Bobby Nicolls in the 5A boys race.

Kevin Harris is one of a group of unsung Niwot Cougars who don't post the biggest times in the state, but get things done as a team as well as anyone.

At a meet where most competitors were running okay, but not spectacular, times, Joseph DeMoor took the Tri-Peaks League championship with a 15:51.

Falcon got a solid 2-3 finish from Wes Rickman and Kevin Johnson, above, but it wasn't enough for Falcon to prevent Fairview and Niwot from slipping into the top two places of the team standings.  

Green Mountain's Andi Carpenter (above, photo contributed by Clint Boston), one of the athletes to watch at Friday's John Martin Invitational.

Boulder's Kelsey Lakowske was one of four girls to finish sub-19 at the St. Vrain Invitational on Saturday. Lakowske's finishing time was 18:52.

The face of 4A boys cross country is as much changed as any classification in the state. Battle Mountain is back to defend its repeat state championship, but the odds against it seem long. Traditional power Liberty has departed to 5A, but for anyone looking to take advantage of Liberty's departure, there's the troubling little issue of Wheat Ridge coming down from 5A. Nature, we are told, abhors a vacuum.   At left, Falcon's dynamic duo of Wes Rickman and Kevin Johnson in their accustomed position--out in front.