Down goes another Colorado state record!
You know it's Championships Season when every week something big is happening. Big, as in another state record falling.
This week it was the Cherry Creek 4x800 quartet of Addison Price, Shelby Balding, Kinsey Christianson, and 1,600 and 3,200 state record holder Riley Stewart.
The squad - that consisted of three seniors - starred on their home track for the final time at the Cherry Creek Invitational .
Balding, Christianson, and Stewart got perhaps the most ideal Senior Send-Off, with the addition of junior Price, as they put together the third State record run this season.
Cherry Creek torched a 8:53.43 to break Niwot's one year-old state record of 8:55.86 by just over two-seconds. The time is currently a Colorado No. 1 by 19 seconds, and also a US No. 1.
Additionally, Cherry Creek's time is only the second Sub-9 performance in Colorado history.
How It Played Out
Price opened up the record-breaking run with a 2:14-plus opening leg, while Balding followed with a 2:16-plus second leg.
Cherry Creek hit the halfway point right around 4:32, though the record was still within reach. While they needed a 4:23 to break the record, their final two runners - Christianson and Stewart - owned season bests of 2:11 and 2:10, making their chase still possible.
Christianson went to work in the third leg with a 2:13-plus half-mile. She handed the baton off to Stewart as the clock ticked passed 7:45.
Stewart would need a 2:10 or better to make history, which is something she's well accustomed to - she is the 1,600 and 3,200 state record holder...
Stewart blazed her fastest 800 of the season - a 2:08ish final leg to cross the finish line as the clock read 8:53.43.
Who's ready is for the 2022 Colorado State Track & Field Championships? (Cherry Creek!)