We just barely got accustomed to seeing the name of Ben Waters in the 400 meter rankings before last year's season closed. Figure it won't take as long for the name recognition to stick this year. Photo by Alan Versaw.
If you're a little cautious about laying down hard predictions for the season ahead, the next best thing might be to at least identify the big questions to be answered. We'll take a swing at that with this series of articles.
This first installment addresses the boys 400 meter dash.
The Big Questions at 400 Meters
1. Palmer Ridge boasts two of the top eight returning 400 meter specialists in Caleb Ojennes and Logan Malone. But, Coach Josh Trahan is not returning, being otherwise entangled now with the AD role at Alamosa High School. So, the big question here is: Can Palmer Ridge replicate the kind of 400 meter success they enjoyed last spring with a new guy pushing the buttons?
2. After notching only one sub-49 effort in the 400 in his entire career, Aaron Ragin clicked off a string of five consecutive sub-49s over the summer. Can Ragin take it a step further and consistently run in the 47s this spring?
3. Daniel Book is one of the best 400s in the state. But that's not all. He's also one of the best 800s, one of the best 1600s in the state, and a rather indispensable leg on the Cherry Creek relays. Will Book be able to focus enough on the 400 this spring to be a threat to take the 5A state title?
4. Nick Deray has won two consecutive 3A state titles at 400 meters. But, this year The Classical Academy finds themselves in 4A. Can Deray transfer his 3A success into the 4A ranks?
5. Brock Miller finished his spring season well in 2014, running in the state meet as a freshman, and then stuck around to enjoy some more success over the summer. How much better will Miller get in his sophomore year?
6. Brandon Larabee posted the fastest middle school time in our database last spring at 55.01. What Longmont-area high school will Larabee show up at this spring and can he become a state-qualifying kind of individual as a freshman?
7. Valor Christian's Ben Waters saw relatively limited track and field action last spring before finishing third in the 4A state meet as a sophomore. Will Waters become a more regular fixture on the Valor track this spring, possibly threatening for a 4A state title?
8. Gabe Longworth won the 1A state 400 title as a sophomore before falling to North Park's Clay Russell as a junior. Can Longworth finish out his high school track and field career with another state title at 400 meters?