Before we get into the historical context of the the meet, let's recap...
Sterling Brassfield shined bright in the 100. The Eaglecrest senior captured his first state title, running 10.63. Ky Oday Jr took second in 10.72.
Meanwhile, D'Andre Barnes showed up big in the 200. The Regis Jesuit sophomore turned the tables on Brassfield, and won the event in 21.69. Brassfield was second in 21.79.
Oday didn't leave Lakewood without gold, however. He won the 400 in 48.00. William Merrick was a half-second back in the runner-up spot.
Ok. Now we're getting into the heavies...
Harrison Witt had perhaps the best meet of anyone, historically speaking.
The Mountain Vista senior came to Jeffco with two state records (the 800, and the 1,600) in his back pocket, though he clearly wasn't content with just winning a state title, or two. He came to Jeffco ready to run fast.
And that's exactly what he did.
Witt opened up his State campaign by torching an opening lap of the 800 in 52.6 - about 1:45 pace. Historically speaking no one in Colorado had run under 1:50 in the 800 until Witt did it a few weeks ago when he ran 1:48.50. I don't think anyone expected to witness a feat like that at State, when the focus tends to lean more on winning than running fast.
But spectators were treated with the second-fastest 800 ever on Colorado soil - Witt won the event in 1:48.75.
Done?
Not quite.
A day later spectators were once again treated - and this time it was perhaps the whole bucket of ice cream, not just a cone with a cherry one top. We're talking bucket of ice cream with marsh mellows. Sprinkles. Hot fudge.
You get the point.
The Mile Of The Ages was run when Witt and Parker Wolfe toed the line for the 1,600. Two of Colorado's fastest milers ever. In the same race. At the same time. Witt's 4:05 was the top seed, while Wolfe's 4:06 was the No. 2 seed.
Add that Rich Martinez's 40 year-old state meet record (previously the state record) of 4:10.98 looked like it would go down.
Keep in mind - before 2021, no Colorado runner had ever run under 4:10 in the state. And this year there were two.
Go figure.
How the race was run was a big focus here, given that Witt and Wolfe entered the race with two entirely different strengths. Witt was the 800, and 1,600 state record holder, while Wolfe was the 3,200 and 5k record holder (and once the 1,600 record holder.)
An entourage of Mountain Vista fans stretched across the fence by the finish line, giving the feel of an Away Game for anyone not in green.
When the gun when off it was clear that Wolfe had no intentions of letting the pace lag, thus favoring Witt's ridiculous speed.
Wolfe led the opening lap in 59.6 - Witt followed just over 60-seconds. The second lap went back to more casual speeds - about 65-seconds. They cruised through the 800 in 2:05 in their own race, while the pack passed the halfway marker in 2:09+.
And then the race picked up.
Wolfe surged, diving the pace back down towards 61-seconds-ish. But with 500 to go Witt still hovered over his shoulder. He appeared ready to pounce, and it looked like Wolfe could feel it.
The Cherry Creek senior slid out into Lane 2 as they entered the final 450, and Witt attacked.
Beast Mode: Engage.
They hit the bell in 4:05, this time with Witt leading and Wolfe chasing. But there was no catching Witt, or holding on to him.
He flew. He clawed at the track, and pumped his arms like a prizefighter.
With 200 to go eyes went back and forth between the Mountain Vista senior and the clock. Only then did the question go to: would he break his own record?
The answer was yes.
The Mountain Vista senior ran himself into history, again.
Down the final straight he powered home as the crowd roared to life. The weight of the effort was painted across his face. He poured out the rest of what was in his tank, and slightly dipped at the line as the the crescendo hit its ultimate peak.
4:04.36.
For a few moments, the crowd was absolutely nuts.
Witt's pain turned to joy, and a smile stretched across his face as he made his way over to Vista Nation, who all wanted to pat the newly minted state champ, and his new state record.
Witt's final lap was a jaw-dropping 58.73.
Altitude conversions aside, his 4:04.36 is a US No. 4. The NCAA altitude conversion would put Witt's time in the 3:57-3:58 range.
Wolfe held on for second, running under the previous state meet record. He finished in 4:10.09. Caleb Boutelle kicked late to finish third in 4:11.42. The was perhaps the highest quality 1,600 in Colorado history - five broke 4:15, and 11 broke 4:20.
A day earlier Wolfe claimed the 3,200 state title. He came out swinging with a 64-second opening lap. The pack let him go while he pumped the breaks a bit and cruised through laps of 68-69 seconds. Wolfe soloed a 9:07 victory, while Boutelle kicked hard over the final 600 to finish second in 9:11.
In the 110 Hurdles no one could keep pace with Gregory Anderson. The Far Northeast senior dominated the event, running 14.14.
Moving up in distance, Michael Bennett won the 300H in a blazing 37.35. Carsen Bruns took second in 37.80.
Grandview swept the 4x1, and the 4x2, while Rangeview dropped a 3:21.51 to win the 4x4 over Casleview's 3:21.55. Mountain Vista ran away with the win in the 4x800 - without Witt - running 7:57.13. Cherokee Traill was a close second in 7:58.86.
Off the track, Rhys Travis won the high jump in 6-7, and the triple jump with a leap of 46-03.0.
Brandon Hills cleared the competition in the long jump, winning the event with a leap of 23-02.
The pole vault went down to the inches, with Garrett Searls claiming the victory with a 14-9 clearance. Timo Heine and Jackson Wray both cleared 14-6.
In the throws Braiden Dishman reigned supreme. The Fossil Ridge senior captured the discus state title in 167-2, and the shot put title with a toss of 53-03.25.
Grandview relay dominance played big in the overall team title - they 78.59 points to win State. Cherry Creek took second with 57 points, while Valor Christian took third with 44.
Next Page: Peisner sweeps the sprints, Stewart triples