Although Wray's Jake Beckman is running longer races this year, he is still turning up in first place more often than not. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Two Teams to Watch (Times Two)
Wray
Long jumpers Kelly Seigrist and Derek Schulz, sprinters Jake Beckman and Luis Huerta, and their relay teammates put Wray in the catbird's seat going in. Wray has long been a track and field powerhouse, but this appears to be their best team in years. Beckman is stepping up a distance or two this year and specializing in the 400 and 800. He comes in as the top seed in the 400 and the second seed in the 800.
Paonia
Jordan VanVleet in the jumps, relays, and Taylor Bradford in the 300 hurdles fuel the Eagles' hopes. In each case, Paonia's hopes for making a run at the title hinge on their performers exceeding their seed places a little, but the potential is certainly there to do that.
Miami-Yoder
Mike Carl could be the story for the Buffaloes. Carl owns the top seed in the 100 and 200 and figures heavily in two potent sprint relays. With a little help from Dwight Kadiurous in the hurdle events, Miami-Yoder could be a surprise team at or near the top.
Limon
It wouldn't be a state meet without Limon. It's hurdler and relay leg Marcelis Tatum that gives the competition pause. Tatum can blow a race open, and Limon may need him to do that. Other points should come from David Kelly (pole vault), Jerome King (triple jump), and the three sprint relays, though Limon will need to outperform their seed marks in these relays to factor into the team title.
Two Atheletes to Watch (not already mentioned)
Jared Sanderford
Last year, Sanderford played second fiddle to teammate Dan Baer in the hurdles. This year, ownership of those events has pretty much solely his, though at least one competitor is creeping up in the 110s (read on). Sanderford should also appear on relays for Dayspring Christian.
Kyle Carper
The Holyoke Dragon is a marked man, the one to beat in both the long jump and triple jump. He also runs a pretty decent 400 on the side and could create problems for schools needing big points in that event.
Two Events to Watch
110 Hurdles
This one is Tatum vs. Sanderford, assuming both make it to finals. It should be close and it should be fast. As with most hurdle races, one bad hurdle ruins your day.
High Jump
As with the 2A girls, you have to stop and wonder where 2A gets so much high jump talent. If everyone jumps to potential, this could be a classic contest. Kent Herman comes in seeded at 6-7, Murphy Smartt at 6-6, Kellen Scheubel at 6-5, and Ethan Browning at 6-4. It will be a bad day to be off your game just a hair.