2A State Track Preview

The more things change, the more they stay the same. That's why you see Lyons, Akron, Sangre de Cristo, Rocky Ford, and Limon on the list of contenders for a state championship (boys and/or girls) in 2A once again this year.

Del Norte and Dayspring Christian aren't exactly long-time residents of this list of contenders, but they were close on the boys' side last year and will be among the contenders again this year.

One of the best individual matchups is entering its third year, Andrew Roberts (Lyons) vs. Victor Montoya (Rocky Ford) in the 1600 and 3200. Last year, they split the titles. This year, the rivalry takes on a new twist in the 1600 meters as Roberts' teammate Colin Anderson has joined the fray as a legitimate contender at that distance. Anderson also comes in as the top seed at 800 meters.

Jake Toney of Simla, at left, will look to defend his status as top returning finisher from last year at 100 and 200 meters. Both titles seem within reach, but the competition will be stiff, particularly at 100 meters. Jake Beckman of Wray and Lance Martinez of Del Norte should stage an interesting contest at 400 meters.

Dayspring's Dan Baer is about as strong of a favorite as favorites get at the 110 and 300 hurdles. For Dayspring to have a shot at the title, Baer must perform well.

Stryker Lane of Norwood, one of the smallest track and field teams in the state, leads the qualifiers in both the shot put and discus. Kellen Schuebel of Dolores, also from the western slope, aims to bring home a high jump title.

Relays could well hold the key to the boys' title. Del Norte has strong entries at 4 X 100 and 4 X 200, Dayspring Christian is strong at 4 X 100 and 4 X 400, Lyons has been tough all season at 4 X 400 and 4 X 800, but a windblasted regional means they enter state with lower seeds in these events. And, Limon very much needs big performances from its relays to make another run at a state title.

On the girls side, Lyons brings what is easily the widest breadth of entries to the table. The Lions are strong in the sprint events (Rachel Hinker), the hurdles (Robyn Albertson), middle distance (Lauren Barnard), distance (Melissa Roberts), and pole vault (Marcie and Grace Hinker). Oh, and their relays are a bit on the salty side, too. If you're going to chase the Lions, you'd better be able to score points in field events because it's doubtful anyone can hold with them across the spectrum of track events.

Sangre de Cristo has field events in the name of Brittany Brown. Brown will likely end the season at or near the top in all classifications in both the shot put and discus. Mato Marstrand gives the Thunderbirds the potential for solid points at 100 meters, 400 meters, and the long jump. The Thunderbirds will need these events to go well and to get big results from their pair of triple jumpers. If all of that happens, they could be hoisting a trophy at the end of the day on Saturday.

Akron has a blistering set of relays on which they will build their dreams of a state championship. They will need all they can get from their relays, however, as this tradition-rich track school has surprisingly few individual entries this year.

Limon, too, will be hoping for big results from its relay teams. Freshman hurdler/sprinter Caitlyn Hubbard has potential to add several points as well. Limon dominated their region in a decisive manner, but the competition is stiffer by an order of magnitude at the state meet.

Fowler has hurdler Lindsey Grasmick and a convincing regional title to bolster their title hopes. The Grizzlies' SMR notched an eye-popping 1:52.70 time at the regional meet and thus enters that event as the prohibitive favorite.

Although neither is exactly a one-girl team, seniors Shaylee Robinette of Crowley County and Emma Coburn of Crested Butte Community School should both score huge points at state. Whether or not their teams end up contending for a title, fans of 2A track and field will not soon forget the impact these two young women have had on their sport. Emma and Shaylee, may the finish to your high school careers be as bright as the four years that led up to this conclusion.