Every spring the track and field teams from most of the western slope gather at Grand Junction's Stocker Stadium for an enormous multi-regional event combining schools from 2A, 3A, and 4A classifications.
And each year, it seems, some of the higher elevation athletes find in the lower elevation and balmy temperatures the key to unlocking the performances that have been laying dormant all spring. Only this spring, it's hard to suggest that there has been anything dormant about the 4A programs on the western slope.
Starting on the boys' side, names like Jonny Stevens, John O'Neill, Tony Crisofulli (all Battle Mountain), Hazen Moss (Rifle), J. T. Haddan (Moffat County), Phillip Turano and Andrew Aragon (Delta), and Dakota Stonehouse and Donnie Jennert (Glenwood Springs) already occupy high places in the state rankings.
Battle Mountain holds the upper hand in distance events, but will need strong support from other events to stay in contention for a regional title. Field events are a little thin for the Huskies, but sprinters Aaron Wilcox, Ascher Robbins, and Ryan Hedrick should be capable of holding their own in this region. If Battle Mountain scores well in the relays, they should be in the running for a regional championship come Saturday afternoon. Of course, if Battle Mountain chooses to rest the prequalified masses in the distance events, the team race could take a completely different turn.
Donnie Jennert of Glenwood Springs holds the top high jump and long jump marks in 4A entering the weekend. He must also be considered a contender for a regional championship at 200 meters. Glenwood just may have the depth to pull off a regional title, but people like Kurt Hartmann, Ryan Buchanan, and Connor Riley will need to come up big for the Demons. As with Battle Mountain, relays could be crucial for Glenwood Springs.
The throwing events could come down to a contest between J. T. Haddan and Andrew Aragon, although favorite status would have to go to Haddan on the basis of throws registered thus far this season.
On the girls' side, no team in this region has come close to demonstrating the kind of firepower Glenwood Springs has been bringing to the track every week of the season.
Individuals such as Jessica Adams and Katie Lee (Montezuma-Cortez), Holly Odneal (Palisade), Alicia Gieck and Phaelen French (Delta), Ashley Rohweder (Eagle Valley), and Alicia Nelson and Erin Urbanoski (Moffat County) should fare very well in the region, but Glenwood Springs brings a regional championship contender into almost every event. The Demon relays have been among the best in the state all season, and individuals like Jolie Dubois (sprints), Meg Waibel (sprints), Katrina Selsor (middle distance), Theresa Gabriel (jumps) and Laura Young (hurdles) make Glenwood Springs a legitimate contender for not just a regional title, but a state title as well. If Glenwood is anywhere vulnerable it is in the throwing events, but there aren't enough points to be had there to overcome what points they should be able to throw down on the track.