Castle View's Chris Ganem muscled to wins in the 800 and 1600 meters at the Liberty Lancer Invitational on Saturday. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Weekend #2 of the Colorado high school track season was only slightly busier than weekend #1. Chalk that up to SAT tests and the beginning of spring break for many schools.
One of the more intriguing meets of the weekend (and one for which I wish I had complete results to publish for you) was the City Invitational in Fort Collins. Only six schools were there, but it was a powerful set of schools.
Some results of note included Ashley Foster of Fort Collins sweeping 100 (12.71), 200 (26.40), and 400 (59.07). Other highlights for the Lambkins included a 5:18 in the 1600 for Miranda Benzel and an 11:21 in the 3200 for Marci Witczak, the same young lady who blossomed late in the cross country season to help pave the way for Fort Collins to NXN.
Littleton HS, however, won both divisions of the meet, led by Ben Courtney's twin triumphs in the hurdle events at 15.01 and 39.53.
Across the Continental Divide, a still short-handed Sierra team ran at the Delta Invitational and did serious battle with Glenwood Springs for the team titles. Sierra's efforts were paced by the 800-1600 double of Samantha Thompson (2:16.18 and 5:07.19). Glenwood got solid efforts from Laura Young in the 300 hurdles (48.55) and three girls winning relays. 2A throwing phenom Stryker Lane won both the shot and discus against mostly 4A and 5A competition. Brandi Krieg of Grand Valley served notice that the 3A girls 3200 has only gotten deeper in the last year.
The Pueblo East Coach's Tribute on Friday served as a bit of a showcase for the Alamosa Mean Moose. Nikki DeSouchet won the 400 and 800. Lindsay Sowards, Shelby Rushing, and Lauren Martin went 1-2-3 in the 1600, Katie Kruger won both throwing events, and the 4 X 4 and 4 X 8 relays were up to their old winning tricks, both teams easily disposed of the competition. Pencil these ladies in as a prime contender for a state championship.
Pueblo West and Coronado roughed up the competition in the boys division. Pueblo West's winning effort was led by Chris Butler (200 and 4 X 200 titles), Mike Schmidt (first in the 1600 and second in the 3200, first in the 4 x 800) and consistent points throughout almost every event. Coronado's efforts were led by Dusty Solis in the 800 (1:59,72), Andrew Hugill in the 3200 (9:52.65), and Joshua Foster in the long jump (21-0).
Brush hosted many of the state's smaller schools on Saturday. There, Valor Christian's Elizabeth Jefferson made some people sit up and take notice with wins in the 200 and 400. Eaton's Annita Alvarez dominated the women's throws, including a 125-9 toss in the discus. Mike Carl of Miami-Yoder posted a 23.19 in the 200 with a -1.7 wind, serving notice that he must be contended with for the 2A 200 title. And, Thomas Hoffman of Platte Canyon turned away all competition in the 800 and 1600.
The track at Boulder's Recht Field was busy for the second consecutive weekend. The highlights were a little more spread around at this meet, but featured Broomfield's Ashley Miknis winning titles in both the 100 and the 300 Hurdles, Aaron Praska of Longmont taking both boys hurdle titles, Boulder's Kelsey Lakowske putting away the field at both 800 and 3200 meters, Longmont's Tevan McIntire outjumping everyone in both the long and triple jumps (plus coming very close to winning the high jump title as well), with teammate Rachel Antoniak pulling off the same double on the girls side of the ledger, and a second 1-2-3 sweep of the 200 by Silver Creek trio Kenny Warner, Evan Hirt, and Scott Hardy. Longmont won both team titles.
Down in Colorado Springs, Widefield won the girls title at the Liberty Lancer Invite, largely on the sprint contributions of GinAsia Hamilton and Chelsie Horton. Fountain Fort-Carson's boys scored in all but four events to run away with the team title on the boys side. Most notable among the performances for the Trojans were Brock Emory's 14.99 in the 110 Hurdles, and an eye-popping 3:29.81 in the 4 X 400--also a meet record. Chris Ganem swept the 800 and 1600 for Castle View while high-jumper Aldric Brown cleared 6-6 for the second consecutive week.
Wow, a lot of highlights for a weekend with comparatively few meets.
Pueblo East Coach's Tribute Results
Castle View's Chris Ganem muscled to wins in the 800 and 1600 meters at the Liberty Lancer Invitational on Saturday. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Weekend #2 of the Colorado high school track season was only slightly busier than weekend #1. Chalk that up to SAT tests and the beginning of spring break for many schools.