Cherokee Trail's Michael Tasker is among the top hurdlers in a hurdler-rich classification. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Five Teams to Watch
Littleton
The Lions are loaded and they are the team to watch. The can hurt you in the jumps, the hurdles, the relays, and any track event from 800 meters on down. The talent is well enough distributed that no one or two names have to carry the load, but look for large contributions from Kyle Macintosh, Ben Courtney, and Kumar Pinkney (hurdles), Joe Takikawa and Jonathan Edmunds (jumps), and Nate Guthals (middle distance).
Fountain-Fort Carson
Like Littleton, the Trojans can hurt you in a number of ways. The Trojans probably don't have an athlete who will walk away with a state title, but they will still accumulate a bundle of points. Top producers should be Brock Emory (hurdles, high jump), Jamarius Mathis (throws), and Kordale Taylor (triple jump).
Doherty
Kenny Chambers (sprints, triple jump) and Jaden Terry (throws) make the Spartans a threat. Korey MacGill adds some punch in the pole vault.
Rampart
Yet another Colorado Springs school makes a bid for a top finish. Devin Mohn (sprints) keys the hopes of the Rams, but he should get some help from Tyler Nieves (pole vault), and a scattering of relay points.
Smoky Hill
If there's a team on this list of five with potential to make a big climb in the standings, it is Smoky Hill. In any ordinary year, Mark Sparks would be regarded as a blue chip among blue chips. He could win both throwing events. Matt Caldwell has gotten steadily better in the distance events as other leading contenders have dropped by the side. Chase Cooper just may be the best pole vaulter the state has seen since Pat Manson.
Five Athletes to Watch (not already mentioned)
Jeremy Rankin, Overland
One of the most recruited sprinters to come out of Colorado in a long time. Rankin is headed to join Jeff Demps at Florida after high school. Look for Rankin in the 100 and 200, but look quickly.
Evan Appel, Dakota Ridge
The state 3200 record currently held by Brent Vaughn isn't getting much sleep this week. Appel is in hot pursuit of the record.
Jon Gamble, Pomona
In a relatively strong year for the high jump, Gamble boasts the top clearance in the state.
Tarique Hill, Eaglecrest
It's too soon to name the high hurdler who is the class of the field, but one favorite for wearing that mantle is Tarique Hill.
Jordan Edwards, Heritage
If Rankin does one thing ever-so-slightly wrong, Edwards is fast enough to make him pay.
Five Events to Watch
110 Hurdles
This may be the best hurdle showdown Colorado has ever seen. Hill, Michael Tasker, Cory Engel, Macintosh, Emory, Brendan Jackson, Courtney. It will be an honor to make finals in this event.
100 Meters
The leading contenders have already been mentioned--Edwards, Rankin, Chambers. This one promises to be fast.
3200 Meters
Appel pursues the record. Walter Schafer, Danny Nicolls, and Adam Sinda (among others) hope Appel has on off day.
Discus
The fact that we could see the state's best-ever throw outside of Mason Finley adds some luster to this event. Besides Sparks, look for big throws from Mathis, Terry, Ryan Duman, and Caleb Spaulding.
4 X 400
A great event to end any meet. Littleton looks like the favorite but don't tell Pine Creek, Fountain-Fort Carson, Heritage, or Loveland that.
Cherokee Trail's Michael Tasker is among the top hurdlers in a hurdler-rich classification. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Five Teams to Watch