Freshman Kelley Robinson, above, is a big part of the reason Nederland is hoping to contend for a team title in 2A Girls.
A featured meet this week? Just one? You have to be kidding!
Three meets this weekend could stake legitimate claim to being the featured meet of the week. I'm calling it a draw and discussing all three, though probably none of them in the depth that they deserve.
In Littleton, we have the Dave Sanders Invitational, a meet that his slowly risen in stature over the years and now ranks consistently among the top meets in Colorado. And, in the large school boys division, we could have the best match-up of the season--Cherry Creek vs. Regis Jesuit vs. Dakota Ridge. Cherry Creek ran their regular varsity last week and so may be sitting a few this week, but Regis and Dakota Ridge should be pretty well loaded up with their top crews on Friday. Not far behind these big three rank Evergreen and Pomona. It will take wheels to finish in the top 10 of this race.
One other major player at Dave Sanders among the boys is Andrew Roberts of Lyons. By my reckoning, this will be only the third race of the year for Roberts and he has to be itching to find out how he stands against the best talent from the larger school ranks. Keep an eye on how this one plays out.
Speaking of small schools at the Dave Sanders meet, we're about due to hear some noise from the crew at Colorado Academy again. This team has been hibernating a little of late and should be ready to lay down a strong race again.
Dakota Ridge looks like a substantial favorite among the girls teams, particularly if Kaitie Vanatta takes the course, but don't be too quick to count out teams like Evergreen and Green Mountain. Give either of these teams an opportunity and they're likely to blow right by you.
The LoboCat Invitational at Fossil Ridge is probably the largest meet of the weekend in Colorado. With only one division, that means something on the order of 35 or more teams on the start line. Although the field is probably not as strong as the first pre-state meet on this course, it is certainly nothing remotely resembling a weak field, either. Look for strong showings from Fairview, Boulder, The Classical Academy, Cherokee Trail, and a few more. Leading individuals who could be racing include Allie McLaughlin, Sam Berggren, Kaitlin Hanenburg, Kelsey Lakowske, Shelby Stableford, Rikka LaBere, Kelly King, Joseph Manilafasha, Alex Weinheimer, Sam Feldotto, Alex Dillenbeck, Mike English, and I'm certain I'm missing a few more here (let me hear about those I'm missing!!).
Questions on everyone's mind will include the more mundane--will there be places for teams to get water--and the big one on everyone's mind--will spots on the course be a little less hummocky than the last time around? We will find out!
Based on what happens out at Tamarack Golf Course south of Limon, we should emerge from this weekend with a much clearer picture of who has the strongest contenders in class 2A. Strong 3A teams from Lamar and Brush could threaten to come away with team titles at this meet, giving the 2A schools all the more to motivate themselves for Saturday.
Nederland, Alexander Dawson, Wiggins, and Rocky Ford are set to go head-to-head together for the first time this year. Nederland brings the Robinson sisters. Rocky Ford brings two very solid teams led by Victor Montoya, Santino Apodaca, and Christina Lobato. Wiggins brings Tara Richardson, Jayleen Erker, and Gilbert Tucker. Alexander Dawson counters a lower profile but a good front three in the boys division. Assuming that Steven Stoot runs for Fountain Valley, this meet becomes all the more interesting.
Beyond the shadow of a doubt, Limon represents the very best convergence of 2A talent prior to the state meet. Anyone who has a contender will be looking to send a message at this one.
Stay tuned for results as they are received!
Freshman Kelley Robinson, above, is a big part of the reason Nederland is hoping to contend for a team title in 2A Girls.
A featured meet this week? Just one? You have to be kidding!