March Statements

Fountain-Fort Carson's 4 X 400 team has spent a lot of time running alone already this spring. Will they be able to carry that momentum throught state? Photo by Alan Versaw

Sometimes you know a team is going to be good before the season ever starts. Sometimes you find out in March that a team has great potential. Still other times, a team manages to fly under the radar before putting everything together in the last couple weeks of the season.

This article takes a look at the middle of the three groups above--six teams that weren't necessarily expected to be sure things before the season started but have posted some strong showings in March--indicating they are to be reckoned with.

In no particular order...

Doherty Girls - Where the Spartans have talent they have a lot of it. And, putting up points at state has a lot more to do with standout performers than with team depth. Jumpers Jordan Rand and Summer Winters are having great seasons thus far and could hold the key to Doherty's hopes. Should they continue to progress, Doherty will be hauling in significant points in all three jumping events. Elsewhere, the strength of Doherty seems to lie in the distance events. While it won't be easy to climb to the top of the ladder in any 5A girls distance events, the Spartans could have the makings of a very competitive 4 X 800 team. Alexis Cook has the potential to score in both throwing events.

Erie Boys - Erie looked like a favorite to win state in 3A boys at the midpoint of last season, but had the wheels fall off toward the end. Rumors of their demise, however, were apparently premature. Steffan Higgins managed to prequalify all three sprint events in a single meet last weekend. Plus, the Tigers prequalified a 4 X 100 relay without even putting Higgins' name on the card. Relays appear to be a strong suit for the Tigers; expect big things from their other relays as well--particularly the 4 X 400 and 4 X 800. Conspicuously missing from Erie's results to date is the name of Cees Doxsey. If the big guy isn't throwing this spring, Erie looks to lose some points they might otherwise have owned. With or without those points, however, they should be contenders.

Cherry Creek Girls - Cherry Creek has never won a state track and field championship. It's too soon to mark them a prime contender yet, but the makings of a very good team appear to be in place. While the Bruins probably don't have a talent who can dominate an event at the state level, they do have a lot of young women who can score points. Think Clare Gallagher in distance events, Julia Barker in jumps, Olivia Heaston in sprints, and the makings of some solid relays.

Littleton Girls - Littleton's boys are a perpetual factor in the state title race. This year, their girls may be, too. Emily Pirnack, Tori Tillquist, and Jaquia Respass give them a set of hurdlers that probably no other 5A school can match. Tillquist adds horizontal jumps to her repertoire as well. Camille Logan returns for her senior season in distance with hopes of scoring at state in those events. Brooke Jackson has already thrown the discus nearly 125 feet. Megan Glandon is raising a few eyebrows in the other throwing ring.

Cherokee Trail Boys - It was never in question that Cherokee Trail has a solid track program. What may have been in question was how competitive they would be upon moving up to 5A. In a word, the answer to that question is "very." Early in a year stacked with hurdle talent, Michael Tasker has moved to the head of the class in the 110 hurdles. Alex Dillenbeck and Travis Putnam can hold their own, and more in the middle distance events. The relays appear to be as solid as ever. A little help in the field events just might make this time a certifiable title contender.

Fountain-Fort Carson Boys - The Trojans have always been a solid track team, but, like Cherokee Trail, they were moving up to 5A this year and figured to take a couple of years to make the adjustment. It didn't take that long. Jamarius Mathis gives Fountain-Fort Carson a very strong presence in both throwing events. The 4 X 400 has been knocking out solid times so far. Brock Emory is solid in the hurdles and high jump. Trey Talley and Damian Henry are impressing folks in the horizontal jumps.