Until Friday's Phil Wertman Invitation in Grand Junction, Central's Justin Blanton had not lost a 100 on Western Slope soil since 2019. Montezuma Cortez's Zander Cruzan stopped that streak with the best 100 of his career.
Cruzan's quick start out of the blocks was too much for Blanton to overcome. When the dust cleared, Cruzan celebrated with a coach after posting his first sub-11 mark (10.96, fourth in 3A) and Blanton limped off with a possible injury. Cruzan would also run a personal best of 22.10 to win the 200, another top-four time in his classification.
In other Western Slope win streak news, Grand Junction's Miller Jones won the triple jump for the fourth straight meet, this time improving his best to 44-10 and moving into third in Class 4A. He finished second in the long jump with a leap of 20-8.5, losing only to Delta's Damien Gallegos who leaped 20-11.
Defending 3A 300-hurdle champion Logan Hafey has not lost in a 300 race since 2019 and he continued that with a win in 40.45.
Last week's talk of the town at Stocker Stadium was DeBeque's Scottie Vines's high jump clearance of 6-10. The best high jumper in the state was unable to get to the same level on Friday, but still dominated the field with a clearance of 6-5.
Central's Daniel Baroumbaye continued to take home gold medals in the throwing events. He won the discus in 132-08 and the shot put in 45-07. He also helped his thrower relay team to the victory with some legit speed in the leadoff leg.
The lady competitors kept some streaks of their own. Grand Junction's Amelia Moore has not lost in the 300 hurdles this season. She won in 48.82 and brought home two more golds with wins in the 100 hurdles (16.64) and long jump (17-0.25). Moore is one of two girls in Class 4A to jump beyond the 17-foot measurement this season.
Palisade's Gabriella Yanowich was a state-qualified in the triple jump last year and she has continued to show off her skills in the event. She has not lost this season and out-jumped the competition with a 34-2.25 on Friday.
The Fruita distance ladies continue to show their prowess with wins in all three races from three different competitors. Lauren Geer cruised in the 800 (2:26.98), Ella Unrein won the 1,600 (5:25.62) and Addison Eyre and Mackenzie Black worked together to take first and second in the 3,200 (12:29.23 and 12:33.02).
