Write this name down: Gavin Sawchuk.
The Valor Christian freshman hasn't competed in one CHSAA track season yet, but he's already made a name for himself on the track.
A week ago he dropped a state-leading 21.99 in the 200 at Air Force HS Open, prompting nearly everyone to check how to pronounce his last name. And this week he proved it was no fluke, as he ran up and away with victories in the 60 and the 200.
Sawchuk kicked things off by going 6.94 in the prelims of the 60, which was a personal best that lasted only another hour.
In the finals Sawchuk ran 6.89 for the fourth fastest time in the state. His time also ranks him 27th in the country, and No. 1 among freshmen.
Claiming the runner-up spot was teammate Korey Hairston, who ran 7.07.
The trio of Sawchuk, Hairston, and Langston Williams made for an insanely competitive 200, but Sawchuk was clearly the sprinter of the meet. He ran away with a 22.42 win, ahead of Williams, who finished second in 22.56.
Williams didn't leave Gunnison without a win, however. The Eaglecrest sophomore claimed the 400 with ease.
Likewise, the 60 hurdle was all Jared Atkin. The Moffat County senior was a runaway winner in 8.54.
Returning to the 800 after taking a break from the event through 2018 was Gunnison's Braydon O'Neill. The senior's two half-miles of the 2019 indoor season are proof that he's one to keep an eye on this outdoor season. O'Neill made no contest of the 800 Saturday, running away from the opening strides and never looking back. O'Neill ran without a shadow for a 2:04.63 win, a six-second victory.
In the mile we nearly saw a meet record, as Nico Piliero, and Andre Stablein took the race well into the final lap, with Piliero taking the win at the line in 4:46.73 to Stablein's 4:47.74.
And if racing at 7,717 feet isn't already challenging enough, the meet provided an opportunity for those wanting to another obstacle: the mile steeplechase.
Future Mountaineer Tyman Smart took a few laps of the unique event to get comfortable on what'll become his home track next year. In his first attempt at the steeple Smart telescoped away in the final half mile for a 5:06 victory.
Smart successfully pulled off perhaps the most challenging double of the day: winning the 2 mile a few hours later. He ran 10:40 for a 21 second victory.
It took over 41 feet to win the triple jump, and it was nearly 42 feet. Columbine's Mikey Sanchez claimed the honors with a 41-10 jump, which is No. 7 in the state. Sanchez also went on to tie for first in the long jump with Austin Hille, with both going 19-0.5.
In the high jump Colin Morrison set the bar high, and went unrivaled. The Grand Junction senior went 6-4, which is a Colorado No. 1. mark.
The shot put saw David Hawkins throw his name into the early conversation of who'll dominate outdoors. Hawkins was the class of the field with a toss of 54-2, a Colorado No. 3 mark.
Next Page: Close finishes and Dominating victories...