From the opening strides it was all Layla Roebke.
Domination is the word that most closely describes Roebke's win in the 2,000 steeplechase Friday night.
Then there's power, control, rule, command, you get the idea.
If you haven't picked up what I'm putting down yet: Roebke ran away with the title. Even when the pack of 10 rounded the second corner to approach the first water jump, she had no shadow. (The photo above is from the first lap.)
And Shadowless it went.
Roebke ran off and away as if she had done this before - and oh yeah, she has.
A year ago she finished third here, running 7:40, and two years ago she finished sixth. But as the saying goes: Third time's a charm.
Roebke cruised away with the Great Southwest Classic 2,000 steeplechase title with a 7:18 personal best. The win was a clear 32 seconds in front of the field.
On the boy's side of the competition Bryce Boggs and Austin Smith toed the line in Colorado green to compete in the first steeple race their high school careers.
After a hot early pace Boggs and Smith settled within the field of nine.
Adam Bunker went on to win the even in 6:21, while Boggs held on for a podium finish, running 6:41 to finish sixth, and Smith crossed the line ninth in 7:02.
