Smoky Hill's Vanessa Samuel, above, returns to defend her state title in the 300 hurdles. (Photo by Alan Versaw)
Last year, Montbello ambushed Fort Collins at the state meet and walked away with a state title in what many regarded as a little bit of an upset. Both Montbello and Fort Collins figure to be in the middle of the fray again this year, but both without key members from last year's squads.
For Montbello, Natasha Gay has graduated. With her go her 18 points in the 100 and 200 and her contributions in the sprint relays. The mantle of leadership passes to junior Kayla Fisher-Taylor. If Montbello is to repeat, the burden appears to fall upon the shoulders of the sprint group--just as it did last year.
Fort Collins must find a way to recoup the 20 points contributed by jumper Emmalie Pfankuch. The distance group of Tati Ogan, Miranda Benzel, and Rachel Viger is as strong as ever, but the near void of points from the sprint group was keenly felt last May.
Highlands Ranch may be next up on the list of team favorites. Like Fort Collins, the Falcons rely on distance as their team strength. And, when you think of Highlands Ranch distance, it's hard not to think of Eleanor Fulton. The sophomore has only gotten better in the last year. Fulton is a credible threat to sweep the distance events if she runs all three. If she runs only two individual events, expect those to be the 1600 and 3200. Freshman teammate Kristen Kientz should add points in both events. Last year, however, Highlands Ranch put up only two points outside of races of 800 meters and up. They will have to boost that total to make a serious title run.
Rocky Mountain just might have the strength to make a serious title run. The Lobos' hopes will rely heavily on the speedy legs of Ashly Lester, who returns to defend her state title in the 400 meters. Nikki Long returns to run the 4 X 800 and open 800. The Lobos' strength resides in the middle distances.
George Washington, never exactly a sleeper, probably has the talent to be heard from again this year. The Patriots were uncharacteristically quiet in the relay events at last year's state meet, but it may be a little much to ask for lightning to miss the same spot twice. Triple jumper Alexandria White brings a wealth of big-meet experience and a second place from last year's state meet to the table for GW.
Of top six teams at state from last year that have not already been mentioned, Heritage and Doherty took serious hits to graduation (although Doherty's cupboard, in particular, is not exactly bare), and Lewis-Palmer moved down a classification to 4A.
Elsewhere, individual talent abounds and, with the addition of a talented newcomer or two to some of the teams boasting already strong individual talent, we could see the emergence of another team contender.
Among the leading individual talents are Vanessa Samuel of Smoky Hill (hurdles), Brittany Lewis of Overland (sprints/jumps), Brooke Jackson of Littleton (a surprise winner of last year's discus who will sneak up on nobody this year), LaTraia Scott of Coronado (sprints), Michal Kenney of Arvada West (high jump), Kelsey Williamson (long sprints) and Dominique Gerard (distance) of ThunderRidge, Natosha Rogers of Dakota Ridge (1600 and 3200), Clare Gallager of Cherry Creek (800 and up), Sara Benson of Rampart (sprints and hurdles), and, of course, Allie McLaughlin of Air Academy (3200 and possibly 1600). One recent addition to the watch list in 5A is Denver East freshman Kamiyanna Mendez. Mendez should bring immediate interest to the hurdle events, particularly the 100 hurdles.
Perhaps the best story line to watch this year concerns whether Allie McLaughlin can topple the state meet record in the 3200. As she did last year, McLaughlin figures to split time with lacrosse in the spring, but the scale of improvement she demonstrated from last year to this in cross country suggests that the 10:49 she ran last year isn't her best 3200.