Riley Geldean and Maya Evans left a pair of serious impressions at Steinhauer Field House this weekend. Colorado Track XC file photos by Alan Versaw.
Evidently, the CSM Twilight Open was this weekend's alternate meet for the high-school-age-and-under set. And, since the door was open, they rushed in and made the most of it.
And nobody made more of it than Riley Geldean and Maya Evans.
Geldean stunned a field of collegians and high schoolers, winning the 3000 in 10:50.53. Okay, so maybe those tight turns are a little easier for someone of Geldean's size, but that's one she definitely needs to share on her Facebook page. Hopefully, someone took pictures.
Evans' big moment came on Friday evening, as she finished second in the long jump at 5.90m (19-4.25). To put that jump into perspective, Chyna Ries (you remember her, right?) had a best freshman indoor long jump of 18-5.75. Evans' mark should put her at or near #2 in the nation for the season, pending arrival of all results from this weekend.
While Geldean and Evans probably wrote their headlines in the largest font, there were other solid performances from the high school group to be noted as well.
Alexis Groce won the 60 in 7.64 (with Evans second in 7.70). Kyleen Newman ripped a 26.70 for 200 meters on the Steinhauer hairpins, good enough for second. Damajahnee Birch answered all challenges in the 400 for the second weekend in a row, this time at 58.40. Madison Mooney rode a 2:21.56 to third in the 800. Emily Sloan went 8.74 for second in the 60 hurdles, .04 off her time from last weekend, but still a very nice mark--you're never going to PR every time out unless you only run once. Christina Stathakis cleared 3.25m (10-7.75) for second in the pole vault. Maya Ries and Kiana Gomez were both right around 36-9 for fourth and fifth in the triple jump, respectively. Haley Showalter was at 12.43m (40-9.25) and 16.32m (53-6.5) for a pair of seconds in the shot put and weight throw.
For the guys, the places, understandably, were not quite as high overall, but the performances were solid nonetheless. Logan Malone and Cole Pappas roared to a 1-2 in the 200 at 23.29 and 23.83. Somehow, I don't think Palmer Ridge sprints will be hurting much this spring. Caleb Ojennes, Logan Malone and Brock Miller went 3-4-5 in the 400, all at 51-point. Paul Roberts outdueled Eric Hamer in the 3000, 8:53.92 to 8:57.29. That scored the pair a fifth and a sixth in the mostly collegiate field. Christian Mueller and Zac Ray went 3-4 in the pole vault, both at 4.30m (14-1.25).
There were, of course, many more high school performances than we are able to catalog here. Suffice it to say it was a very big meet for a lot of high schoolers, and one very quick middle schooler.
Next week, the high school action splits between the Western State High School Indoor Open and the USTAF-Colorado State Championships. It should be yet another busy weekend.
Meet Results (Coming Soon)
