Stutler Twilight meet History and Concept
Hosted by Grandview High School
The Stutler Twilight is back! 2021 will be the 6th edition of the Stutler Twilight, and based on the entries it may also be the best. This meet is a true Invitational, all participating teams must be formally invited to the meet. It was created by the iconic Sally Moos, and the not so iconic John Reyes. Both coaches were tired of huge invites that limited entries for each school to 2 or 3 athletes per event. It felt like schools that created depth were being punished for having done so. So this meet is run differently than most big invites.
Although Sally Moos no longer coaches, she still serves as the clerk of the course, and is a huge reason for the meets past success. John Reyes now serves as the sole meet director of the Stutler Twilight, along with teaching Mathematics, and as the Head Track and Field Coach at Grandview High School.
The concept is that a meet doesn't need a large number of schools to produce great results, it just needs the right schools. Participating schools at the Stutler Twilight are schools that consistently produce top end Track and Field athletes on a yearly basis. It is also meant to accommodate teams that have multiple Varsity level athletes in anyone event. Schools that are particularly deep in certain events are allowed to enter as many competitive athletes as they wish. Each school is guaranteed 3 per event, but if they have more that can meet a set standard they are welcome to enter them. This is why you may see more than 3 athletes from one school in one event. It is also why the meet only has 15 schools, and will never grow any larger. Each year it receives in the neighborhood of over 30 inquiries from schools wanting to attend. The meet also do not accept individual entries or partial teams for any reason, as it would take away spots from one of the teams attending.
In the previous 5 editions of the meet, the Stutler Twilight has seen some of the greatest high school marks ever produced on Colorado Soil. The highlights include:
Jordyn Colter (2015) Cherry Creek HS Girls 800 2:05.48 (All-Classification Record at the time, she would later break her own record at the State Track and Field Meet)
Paul Roberts (2015) Lyons HS Boys 3200 9:13.55 (Class 2A Classification Record)
David Thornton (2016) Cherokee Trail Boys High Jump 7-0 (Top 10 All-Time mark by a Colorado High School athlete, Tied for 9th)
Brie Oakley (2017) Grandview HS Girls 3200 10:27.97 (Class 5A Classification Record at the time, she would later break the All-Classification State Record at the State Track and Field Meet)
Sydnee Larkin (2018) Cherokee Trail HS Girls Triple Jump 40-10 (All-Classification Record, she would later better her mark later in the season.)
For a meet with only 15 schools that has only run 5 times the records here are very impressive. Looking at this year's edition it appears that not only are multiple meet records in jeopardy, but so are multiple Colorado State Records.
Participating Schools: Broomfield, Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Eaglecrest, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Grandview, Monarch, Mountain Vista, Niwot, Palmer Ridge, Rocky Mountain, Smoky Hill, The Classical Academy, ThunderRidge.
The Stutler Twilight is absolutely loaded with talent this year, and several Colorado State Records may fall on Saturday Night. Based on the entries 6 or more All-Time Records are in Jeopardy!! If you are a fan of Track and Field and/or just watching high-end quality high school athletes compete, the Stutler Bowl on the campus of Cherry Creek High School is the place to be on Saturday. Field events will begin at 4pm and running events at 5pm. The admission cost is $6 for adults, and $3 for students. Meet schedule can be found at the end of the previews.
STUTLER TWILIGHT 2021
HOSTED BY GRANDVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
BOYS PREVIEW
Sprints (100, 200, and 400)
Sterling Brassfield of Eaglecrest has been tearing up the sprints this season in the 100 and 200. Leading the state of Colorado with marks of 10.58 and 21.56. He looks to continue his impressive season in both events on Saturday. In the boys 100 three other athletes have run under 11. Ky Oday of Cherry Creek (10.90), and Grandview teammates Evan Johnson (10.93) and David Maldonado (10.99). ThunderRidge's Kyle Dempsey (11.04), Grandview's Charlie Dick (11.14), and Fort Collin's Dorion McGarity (11.19) will also look to break into the 10's. Making the odds of the current meet record holding up very slim (10. 93, Jordan Xiong, Broomfield 2015).
The first four seeds in the 100 also hold the four fastest 200 times coming into the meet. All running sub 22 this season. Brassfield (21.56), Oday (21.84), Johnson (21.88), and Maldonado (21.90). Under the lights the 200's are always fast, which should lead to some big PR's for all competitors.
In the 400 Oday comes in with a season best of 48.97 the number 2 mark in 5A. Oday is followed by three athletes that have run 50 point and are looking to run under 50 seconds for the first time. Grandview's Conrad Casebolt (50.26), Niwot's Benjamin Classen (50.29) and Fort Collins Julio Atondo (50.94).
Hurdles (110H, and 300H)
Both hurdle races look to be a preview of the 5A state meet final. Malique Singleton of Grandview had an impressive double last week. Running a state leading time and PR in the 110H's at 14.36, and clocking another PR in the 300H at 38.43. He will face his stiffest competition of the year with 3 other athletes having clocked sub 15 performances, and two others that have run sub 40. Dominic Gallelli of Rocky Mountain holds a personal best of 14.68, and is the only athlete in Colorado to have run sub 38 in the 300H. Gallelli leads the state with a 37.93 effort two weeks ago at the Pomona Invitational. Cherry Creek's PJ Robinson looks to return from injury for his first race this high school season. He has a lifetime PR of 14.71 in the 110H. Grandview's Sonny Thompkins has been consistently dropping times this season. Last week running 14.86 in 110H, and 39.72 the week before in the 300H.
All four will be chasing new PR's on Saturday. Along with the meet records of 14.39 (Darius Graw, Smoky Hill 2018), and 38.57 (Mitchell Gorman, Broomfield 2018). With a field this loaded, both hurdle races are going to be hotly contested, and will be even more fun to watch. If you are a fan of top notch hurdling or just a fan of Track and Field, these races are a must see!
Distance (800, 1600, and 3200)
It appears that we will have to wait until the State meet for the dream matchup between Harrison Witt of Mountain Vista and Parker Wolfe of Cherry Creek in the 1600. However, both of them will be competing in the meet, just not head to head.
Wolfe set the all-time Colorado state record in the 1600 breaking a 40-year-old mark of the great Richie Martinez of Widefield from 1981 with a 4:06.17 effort. Wolfe continued his assault on the record books the following week by destroying the 3200 Colorado state record. Running an amazing 8:55.94. Both as a solo effort without any other competitors near him. While Parker was breaking the 3200 record, Harrison Witt would better his 1600 record on the same day one week later.
Witt lowered the record by almost one full second running a time of 4:05.18. Prior to May 8th, 2021 Colorado has never had a high school 1600m runner break 4:10 within the state's boundaries, and within the span of 2 weeks these two athletes accomplished just that.
Wolfe will look to improve his 800 PR and enters as the 3rd seed behind Thomas Fry of Palmer Ridge (1:55.27), and Timothy Thompson of Rocky Mountain (1:55.96).
Witt on the other hand will look to better his 1600 state record. Coach Jon Dalby has Harrison set up for a big effort, looking to come through the 800 at 2:00-2:03 range, then finding out what he can do in the second half of the race. Is it possible for a High Schooler to run sub 4 minutes at altitude? The Stutler Twilight is committed to doing everything it can to find out. That race will feature only 10 athletes all of which have run 4:29 or better.
The 9 athletes that will join Witt in the ELITE section are: Caden Smith (Cherokee Trail 4:16.95), James Thomas (Broomfield 4:21.23), Peter Fox (Grandview 4:22.24), Joaquin Herrera (Niwot 4:23.85), Jake Sheykhet (Grandview 4:24.45), Nolan Owen (Mountain Vista 4:26.21), Jayden Nats (Mountain Vista 4:26.59), Jake Bach (Palmer Ridge 4:26.64) and Tyler Downs (Mountain Vista 4:29.92).
That race will take place at 9:15 p.m. under the lights, and in an electric atmosphere that only the Stutler Twilight can provide. Anyone who wants the opportunity to be a part of a possible historic Track and Field moment clear your schedule and plan on being at the Stutler Bowl on Saturday night at 9:15pm.
Once you are there stay for the 3200 which features a whopping 10 athletes that have run under 10 minutes. Niwot teammates Zane Bergen and Grayden Rauba lead the field with an out of state PR's of 8:57.51 and 9:01.79 from the Nike Chandler Rotary Invitational in Phoenix, Arizona. Bergen is coming off of a 4:13.58 1600 effort last week. Could we see a second or a third Colorado Boy run sub 9:00 at altitude?
Horizontal Jumps (Long Jump and Triple Jump)
Nate Gaye of Cherokee Trail will be the top seed in both the Long Jump and Triple Jump. He holds a PR in the long jump of 22'2.5. Jaden Parrott from Cherry Creek enters with a 22'0.25. The next three seeds are all very close and are right around 21 feet. Matteo Munoz of Grandview (21'0.75), Elijah Inama of Palmer Ridge (21'0), and Nick McGuire of Fort Collins (21'0).
In the Triple Gaye has a PR of 44'5.75, followed by Mateus Gadaleta of Fort Collins (43'7.5), and Sonny Thompkins of Grandview (43'6). The jumping pits at Stutler have notoriously fast runways, and are known to produce huge jumps. Saturday night should be no different as all jumpers look to either better their state seed mark, and/or post a mark that will qualify.
Vertical Jumps (Pole Vault and High Jump)
In the Pole Vault Monarch continues to produce top end vault talent. Their latest is Timo Heine the top seed with a PR of 14'8. Sophomore Rylen Lippelt of Grandview is the second seed at 12'9, followed by teammate Matteo Munoz and Fort Collins' Luke Lodato who both have cleared 12'6.
In the High Jump Cherokee Trail's Michael Hemmingway leads the field with a clearance of 6'4, followed by Lance Gilbertson of Rocky Mountain and Diego Turner of Monarch who have both cleared 6'3. Grandview will bring the trio of Matteo Munoz (6'2), Zane Cole (6'2), and Aaron Briar (6'1). Joe Cottingham of Fort Collins also enters with a 6'1 clearance.
Throws (Discus and Shot Put)
For this first time at the Stutler Twilight the Shot Put will be held in the Stadium, and help with the amazing atmosphere at this meet. The number one ranked Shot Putter in 3A, Mitchell Anderson of The Classical Academy will compete against his 5A counterparts. Three of the top 4 5A Shot Putters will be competing Saturday in the stadium. Teammates Braiden Dishman and Tanner Arkin from Fossil Ridge and Moosah Alsaffar of Grandview. Dishman leads 5A with a put of 53'7, Arkin is second at 52'3, and Alsaffar is the third seed at 50'10.75. Being contested in the stadium should add the extra energy to lead to some big throws and nobody should miss.
In the Discus the stadium probably isn't big enough to contain the throwers. Once again, Dishman and Arkin are not only the top 2 seeds, but are leading 5A with throws of 169'6 and 169'5 respectively. They will face one of the top throwers in 4A, Alec Falk, who comes in with a lifetime best of 161'1, and Rocky Mountain's Kevin Bruxvoort has the third best 5A mark of 156'2. The walk across the parking lot to the discus ring will be well worth the trip!!
Relays (4x100, 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800)
The relays are always the hardest to forecast, as coaches decide which relays to put their best athletes in. The Grandview boys lead all classes in Colorado in the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400. While Niwot leads the State in the 4x800. It isn't a coincidence that both of those schools will compete at the Twilight. Fresh off of the first sub 42 4x1 this year in Colorado (41.80) the Grandview quartet of Conrad Casebolt, David Maldonado, Charlie Dick, and Evan Johnson will look to lower their time, and possibly challenge the state record of 41.21 set by Overland in 2007. Grandview (3:24.82) and Niwot (3:26.87) will battle in the 4x400 along with three other schools that have run sub 3:30. Cherry Creek (3:27.00), Rocky Mountain (3:27.42), and Cherokee Trail (3:28.98). If you haven't been a part of the 4x400's at the Twilight you are in for a treat. Perhaps we could see the first sub 3:20 effort this year. The Stutler Twilight certainly will provide the setting to do it! Niwot will not run the 4x800 at the Twilight as they focus on other events. Rocky Mountain is the top seed at 8:15.73 followed by Cherry Creek (8:24.02), and Fossil Ridge (8:25.57).
GIRLS PREVIEW
Sprints (100, 200, and 400)
One of the best jumpers in the nation will showcase her speed that propels her jumps by competing in the 100. Melody Nwagwu of Grandview is the top seed and currently 5A #2 with a PR of 12.19. She is followed by Sophia Cupp of Smoky Hill (12.40), and Jessica Rockwell of Fossil Ridge (12.42).
In the 200 Cupp will be the second seed to Niwot's Taylor James. James has perhaps the best range in the entire country. The versatile James can run anything from the 100 to the 5K at a high level. She holds a PR of 24.64, and will be joined by four others that have run under 26. Cupp (25.17), Lily Patrick of Fossil Ridge (25.79), Rockwell (25.91), and Margaret Gillett of Niwot (25.98). Under the lights the 200's should be a treat.
In the 400 Kinsey Christianson of Cherry Creek leads the field with a lifetime best of 57.91. Rockwell will attempt the sprint triple (100, 200, 400). Her PR in the 400 is 58.09. Julia Pattison has also run sub 59 at 58.94.
Hurdles (100H, and 300H)
Kimora Northrup of Niwot enters as the top seed with a mark of 14.58, and look to fend off the two fastest 100H Freshman in Colorado. Grandview's Gabriella Cunningham (15.07), and Cherokee Trail's Sanaai Hancock (15.36). Grandview Senior Clara Tuti is the fourth seed with a PR of 15.65. The conditions should be right to see multiple girls run sub 15 Saturday night.
In the 300H's Northrup once again leads the field at 43.19. Tuti enters with a PR of 45.89. Next three all have run under 47. Geneva-Grace Douillard of Niwot (46.39), Iris Wang of Cherry Creek (46.84), and Angel Meza of Grandview (46.91). Cunningham will sit this one out to focus on relays for the Wolves.
Distance (800, 1600, and 3200)
James of Niwot will display her range once again with the improbable event combination of the 200 and 800. But anyone who has seen her in action knows that for her it is anything but improbable. James has a lifetime best of 2:05.83. The two seed is teammate Madison Shults (2:11.83). Broomfield's phenomenal Sophomore Maelynn Higgins looks to improve her 800 PR of 2:11.35 set last week in Tennessee at the Music City Track Carnival. Emily Beckner also has a very impressive sub 2:15 mark of 2:14.78. Could the great Jordyn Colter of Cherry Creek see her meet record of 2:05.48 and her State Record of 2:04.56 broken on Saturday? The talk out of Niwot is that James is getting prepared to make an attempt at just that on Saturday.
In the 1600, two of the nation's best distance runners will battle. Riley Stewart of Cherry Creek has run 4:45.76 at the Nike Chandler Rotary Invite. She holds an in state PR of 4:54.38, and from the other side of the same league Cherokee Trial's Cameron McConnell has an in state sub 5 minute PR as well (4:59.23). They will have to contend with the best that the north end of the metro area has to offer in Stella Vieth of Niwot (5:00.25), and Higgins who will also look to run sub 5, with an altitude PR of 5:04.28. Like the boys 1600, this field should be one of the best high school 1600 fields in the nation.
In the 3200, Like Higgins, both Mia Prok and Lucca Fulkerson set lifetime best in Tennessee at the Music City Track Festival running 10:20.18 and 10:20.48 respectively. Their altitude PR's are 10:50.51 for Fulkerson and 11:04.87 for Prok. Under the lights, new PR's are inevitable for close to all competitors at the Stutler Twilight.
Horizontal Jumps (Triple Jump and Long Jump)
Melody Nwagwu of Grandview is currently ranked 9th in the nation in the Triple Jump and has her eye on the Colorado State Record of 41'8 held by Cherokee Trial's Sydnee Larkin (2018). Larkin also holds the Stutler Twilight meet record at 40'10 which at the time was the state record. During the high school season Nwagwu has jumped 39'8, and appears to be on pace to challenge Larkin's record. Kathryn Carroll of Niwot has a PR of 37'11, Olivia Rankin of Fossil Ridge comes in at 36'9, and Ariel Bailey of Mountain Vista (36'2.25) rounds out the top four seeds. Nwagwu of Grandview is once again the top seed in the Long Jump with a mark of 18'11.
Like the Triple Jump Carroll of Niwot is the two seed (18'3). The next three seeds are all 17 plus. Lily Patrick of Fossil Ridge (17'5), Caitlyn Lovato of Rocky Mountain (17'1.5), and Cassidy Hoffman also from Rocky Mountain (17'0.25).
Vertical Jumps (Pole Vault and High Jump)
The Girls Pole Vault is loaded with top end talent as three athletes have cleared 12'0 or higher. The Classical Academy's Freshman Anna Willis vaulted 13'2 last week to lead the state of Colorado. She may be looking for family bragging rights on Saturday night. Her older sister Andrea Willis holds the Colorado State Record at 13'9 from 2016. Fellow Freshman from Broomfield Lilly Nichols has a PR of 12'7 to lead class 5A, and 5A number 2 Emma Chicco of Rocky Mountain has a 12'0 clearance to her credit as well.
In the High Jump Brooke Naughton looks to become the sole record holder of the Stutler Twilight. A record that she currently co-holds with Alisha Davis of Grandview from 2019. She has a PR of 5'8.5, and will have to contend with crosstown rivals Lariel Henley (5'5) and Olivia Rankin (5'4) both of Fossil Ridge. Three other jumpers have cleared 5'2 this season. Ariel Bailey of Mountain Vista, and Sophomore teammates Dallis Robinson and Jade Weathersby both from Grandview.
Throws (Shot Put and Discus)
Like the boys, the Shot Put will be in the stadium this year, which should help the competitors attain new PR's. Laura Davis of Fort Collins has thrown over 40 feet this year with a mark of 40'4 to lead class 5A. Yasmin Chouaf of Fossil Ridge is the second seed at 36'5, and Blythe Cayko of Eaglecrest is the third seed at 36'2.
In the Discus Lindsey Osterfelt of Rocky Mountain will look to break the Stutler Twilight record held by former Rocky Mountain superstar thrower Gabriella McDonald. Osterflet's PR of 137'0 is just off McDonald's meet record of 142'9. Davis is the second seed at 120'4, and Lauren Carrier of Rocky Mountain comes in at 119'5. The Rocky Mountain Lobos continue their strong throwing tradition.
Relays (Sprint Med, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800)
Similar to the boys, the girls relays are the hardest to forecast. Niwot and Grandview have run some of the top times in Colorado regardless of classification. It appears that the Cougars and Wolves will battle once again at the Stutler Twilight in 2021. In the 4x1 Niwot has run 48.42 to Grandview's 48.70. Niwot has an outstanding 3:48.66 in the 4x4. Grandview and Cherry Creek also have the ability to run well under 4 minutes but have yet to do it this season. Perhaps the Stutler Twilight is the opportunity that they have been waiting for? Grandview is the top seed in the 4x2 at 1:42.97 with Niwot sitting that one out. Followed by Palmer Ridge at 1:47.52. In the Sprint Medley Monarch (1:52.00) looks to battle with Fossil Ridge (1:52.64). In a meet that is known for setting State Records, we may have one early in the program. Cherry Creek ran an uncontested 9:07.20 last week, and have a team entered. If the quartet of Riley Stewart, Shelby Balding, Kinsey Christianson, and Addison Price get together, we may start the record setting early in the program. Those four have the ability to break the Colorado State Record of 9:00.07 set by Thompson Valley in 2009. We will have until Saturday to find out.
2021 Stutler Bowl Twilight Qualifier
RUNNING EVENTS-ALL FINALS FIELD EVENTS-FINALS
4:00pm Coaches Meeting - Finish line 3:15pm Weigh-ins
5:00pm Girls 800m Sprint Medley 4:00pm
5:10pm Girls 3200m Relay Girls Pole Vault
5:25pm Boys 3200m Relay Boys Discus
5:40pm Girls 100m Hurdles Boys Long Jump - Infield Pit
5:55pm Boys 110m Hurdles Girls Long Jump - South Pit
6:10pm Girls 100 Meters Girls High Jump
6:20pm Boys 100 Meters Girls Shot Put-In the Stadium
6:35pm Girls 4x200m Relay
6:45pm Boys 4x200m Relay
7:00pm Girls 1600m Run Following the 4:00pm events
7:15pm Boys 1600m Run Boys Pole Vault
7:30pm Girls 4x100m Relay Girls Discus
7:40pm Boys 4x100m Relay Girls Triple Jump - South Pit
7:45pm Girls 400 Meters Boys Triple Jump - Infield Pit
8:00pm Boys 400 Meters Boys High Jump
8:15pm Girls 300m Hurdles Boys Shot Put-In the Stadium
8:30pm Boys 300m Hurdles
8:45pm Girls 800m Run
9:00pm Boys 800m Run
9:15pm **ELITE BOYS 1600**
9:20pm Girls 200 Meters
9:35pm Boys 200 Meters
9:50pm Girls 3200m Run
10:10pm Boys 3200m Run
10:25pm ("Rock the Boat") Girls 4x400m Relay
10:30pm ("Rock the Boat") Boys 4x400m Relay
STUTLER TWILIGHT INVITATIONAL RECORDS
BOYS
100 JORDAN XIONG BROOMFIELD 10.93 2015
200 CALEB OJENNES PALMER RIDGE 21.92 2016
400 BEN PEYTON GRANDVIEW 49.69 2018
800 CRUZ CULPEPPER NIWOT 1:54.05 2018
1600 CARTER DILLON MOUNTAIN VISTA 4:14.20 2018
3200 PAUL ROBERTS LYONS 9:13.55 2015
110H DARRIUS GAW SMOKY HILL 14.39 2018
300H MITCHELL GORMAN BROOMFIELD 38.57 2018
HJ DAVID THORNTON CHEROKEE TRAIL 7'0 2016
PV MAX MANSON MONARCH 16'0 2019
LJ MICAYLON MOORE FORT COLLINS 23'10.5 2018
TJ ALLAM BUSHARA FORT COLLINS 49'9 2019
SP CLAE WALTERS POMONA 53'11 2016
DISC BRANDON MICALE POMONA 157-3 2017
4X100 DOHERTY 42.51 2019
4X200 CHERRY CREEK 1:26.75 2018
4X400 PALMER RIDGE 3:20.12 2016
4X800 PALMER RIDGE 7:52.36 2017
GIRLS
100 TAYLOR WATSON CHEROKEE TRAIL 11.89 2018
200 TAYLOR WATSON CHEROKEE TRAIL 24.54 2018
400 TAYLOR JAMES NIWOT 55.50 2019
800 JORDYN COLTER CHERRY CREEK 2:05.48 2015
1600 MADISON MOONEY BROOMFIELD 4:55.24 2018
3200 BRIE OAKLEY GRANDVIEW 10:27.97 2017
100H JAIDEN PARIS CHEROKEE TRAIL 14.23 2018
300H DELANEY SMITH CHERRY CREEK 43.27 2018
HJ ALISHA DAVIS GRANDVIEW 5'8 2019
BROOKE NAUGHTON FORT COLLINS 5'8 2019
PV MIA MANSON MONARCH 12'0 2017
LJ SYDNEE LARKIN CHEROKEE TRAIL 19'6 2018
TJ SYDNEE LARKIN CHEROKEE TRAIL 40'10 2018
SP GABRIELLA MCDONALD ROCKY MOUNTAIN 46'0 2018
DISC GABRIELLA MCDONALD ROCKY MOUNTAIN 142'9 2018
SPMED MONARCH 1:48.21 2015
4X100 CHEROKEE TRAIL 46.79 2018
4X200 CHEROKEE TRAIL 1:42.90 2015
4X400 NIWOT 3:52.60 2018
4X800 THUNDERRIDGE 9:35.92 2017