Tyler Thorne, left, and Jake Beckman, right, rank as two of the top three returning sprinters in the 2A classification. Photo by Alan Versaw.
You have to love a state meet that comes down to the last event. With a first place in the 4 X 400 to the third earned by Lyons, Dayspring Christian edged Lyons by a single point for the state title.
This year, Lyons has departed to 3A, but Dan Baer, Dayspring's do-everything workhorse for the last two years, has also departed--for college. Those two departures leave a lot up in the air.
Even though Baer has graduated, Dayspring Christian probably remains the team to beat. Baer may be gone, but Jared Sanderford, runner-up to Baer in both hurdle events, is back. Surrounding him is a small team with a can-do attitude and a great set of relays. It was evident during football season that athleticism is not yet in short supply at the Greeley-based school.
Who can give Dayspring a run for their money?
Each of the next four teams in the standings behind Dayspring and Lyons in last year's state standings has strong reason for hope, but also some holes to fill.
Del Norte, last year's third-place team lost Edwin Cruz and Wesley O'Rourke to graduation, but returns sprinter Brandon Fonk and a good share of their relay teams.
Limon, last year's fourth-place team, loses jumper Zach Scherrer, but tradition always seems to answer the call in Badger country. Hurdler Marcelis Tatum is positioned to take a leading role for Limon.
Sargent returns what is perhaps the strongest hand of the group. Hurdler Josh Lowder needs to challenge Sanderford for the two hurdle titles to bolster the Farmers' title hopes.
If Jake Beckman can sweep the 200 and 400 for Wray, the Eagles look to have a reasonable hope. It would certainly help their cause if Wray can repeat as 4 X 200 champions again this year, but much there will depend on how strong the returning cast is in that event.
It's rare to see a team make a run at a state championship strictly out of field events, but Hi-Plains just might do that this year. Kent Herman returns as the high jump state champion, while juniors Tanner Thomson and Kraig Tagtmeyer (long jump) and Zeb Bailey (shot put) give the Patriots reason to dream.
Individually, several top competitors from last year's state meet return to make new runs at state titles. Among the top returning competitors are Rocky Ford's Victor Montoya (1600, 3200), Fountain Valley's Steven Stoot (1600, 3200), Miami-Yoder's Mike Carl (sprints), Pikes Peak Christian's Tyler Thorne (sprints), Hilltop Baptist's Johnny Pennington (400), Jack Linehan of Crested Butte (800, 1600), Gilbert Tucker of Wiggins (1600, 3200), Landry Cogburn of South Baca (hurdles), Kellen Schuebel of Dolores (high jump), plus Logan Ramseier and Luke Terrell of Idalia (pole vault).
Two other returnees this year could be competitive in their respective events in any meet, any classification: Kyle Carper of Holyoke and Stryker Lane of Norwood. Carper's 22-4.5 long jump and 43-7 triple jump at last year's state meet rank him as one of the best jumpers in the state regardless of classification. Much the same applies to Stryker Lane, who threw 52-6 in the shot and 161-9 in the discus to claim both 2A state titles last spring.
There are no glaring weaknesses in any of the 2A boys events. Pretty much every event returns several solid competitors. What is lacking, apparently, is a prohibitive team favorite going into the season. That prohibitive team favorite could emerge, but, for now, it's probably too much to expect any of this year's teams to gap the field of other teams as Dayspring and Lyons did last. This may be one of those years where 50 or so points takes home the big prize.
Last Year's 2A State Meet Results
