The front of the 5A girls state 3200 last spring looked like a dust jacket photo for the Who's Who of Colorado Girls Distance Running. Colorado Track XC file photo.
Is girls distance getting better in Colorado? Ask those who are trying to qualify girls from their teams for state. Pretty much across the board, we're seeing a steady increase in the level of performance required to get to state. If you're hoping for a reprieve this year, keep hoping, but prepare for the alternative.
5A
If you can recall last year's state 3200 meter race, you have a good picture of what parity looks like. With a full healthy season for Jordyn Colter, and with Heather Bates coming back to the 5A ranks, we may not see that kind of parity again in this year's 3200.
Then again, don't be too sure. Girls like McKenna Spillar (last year's eventual state champion), Rachael Chacko, Erin McLaughlin, Isabelle Kennedy, Alaina Anderson, Erin Norton, Erin Hooker, Karlee Schwartzkopf, Emma Gee, Me...