Stutler Twilight Looks Bright: Meet Preview

Apr 28, 2023

Photo Credit: Raymond Tran/MileSplit

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And for meet director John Reyes, it is also the Twilight of his career. With the impending departure of Reyes at the conclusion of the 2023 season, the future of the Stutler Twilight is currently unknown? Reyes has been clear that once he is retired from coaching, he will no longer host track and field meets. Which means that there is a chance that the 2023 Stutler Twilight may be the last. If you have never been, the time to see what all the fuss is about is NOW!

Recent CHSAA Hall of Fame Inductee Sally Moos, and Reyes started the Stutler Twilight in 2015 with a new concept for a running track and field meet in the state of Colorado. It is a true invitational. Invites only come from meet management. Partial squads or individual entries are not permitted. Rather than finding competition by entering a meet with a lot of schools and limited entries, both felt that they could accomplish the same thing by competing against the right schools. As a result, the Stutler Twilight is just different. Despite a low number of teams, the Stutler Twilight produces the highest percentage of state qualifying marks each year. Along with an atmosphere that can't be matched! Although Sally Moos no longer coaches, she still serves as the clerk of the course, and is a HUGE reason for the meet's success.

Teams that attend the Stutler Twilight are consistently producing top end Track and Field athletes every year. Each school is guaranteed 3 entries in all events, but in events where teams may have more than 3 quality athletes, they are allowed to enter them. Prior to the creation of the Stutler Twilight that never happened at Invitationals. But at the Stutler Twilight it is highly encouraged.

In the previous 7 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.)

Riley Stewart (2021) Cherry Creek HS Girls 1600 4:44.13 (All-Classification Sate Record)

Anna Willis (2021) The Classical Academy Pole Vault 13-3 (5^th best female Pole Vault in the history of Colorado on Colorado soil)

Lilly Nichols (2022) Broomfield HS 13-4 (Tied for the 3^rd best female Pole Vault in the history of Colorado)

GRANDVIEW HS (2022) 4X100 Luke Trinrud, David Maldonado, Charlie Dick, Evan Johnson 41.26 (3^rd fastest 4x100 time ever from Colorado. Would later set the state record at 40.59. Becoming the first 4x100 team from Colorado to run sub 41).

Riley Stewart (2022) Cherry Creek HS 3200 10:06.23 She does it again this time in the 3200.

Participating Schools: Broomfield, Chaparral, Cherokee Trail, Cherry Creek, Doherty, Eaglecrest, Fort Collins, Fossil Ridge, Fountain Fort-Carson, Grandview, Legend, Monarch, Mountain Vista, Niwot, Palmer Ridge, Rocky Mountain, Smoky Hill, The Classical Academy.

Like always, the Stutler Twilight is absolutely loaded with talent this year. Several meet records are in jeopardy, and it wouldn't be a Stutler Twilight unless an All-Time Colorado State Record was in jeopardy as well. If you are a fan of Track and Field and/or a fan of 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 1pm and running events at 2pm. The admission cost is $6. Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking the following link:

https://gofan.co/app/events/984044?schoolId=CO16321

They can also be purchased at the gate with a Credit or Debit Card.

BOYS PREVIEW

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Sprints (100, 200, and 400)

Last year 7 boys ran sub 11 in the 100m Dash. This year we may see more. Sprinters this spring have faced less than desirable conditions at meets. However, Saturday looks to be everything the twitchy athletes need! David Maldonado of Grandview enters as the top seed a lifetime PR of 10.56. He was the 5A State runner-up in 2022, and was a part of the Historic Grandview 4x100 team. However, TCA Senior Aaron Johnson has run faster than Maldonado this season with a wind legal 10.69. The 3 seed is another Grandview Senior from the 2022 4x100 team. Luke Trinrud has a PR of 10.74 which not surprisingly was run at the Stutler Twilight last year. Broomfield's Baylor Baessler is coming off a slightly windy 10.85 effort at Boulder County's. Smoky Hill's Richjarion Hines has run 10.99, followed by a duo of athletes with 11.00 PR's, Cherry Creek's Cortlen Johnson and Grandview's Liam Szarka. Fountain Fort-Carson's Jackson Heydenberk rounds out the fast heat with a PR of 11.04. All total 11 entered athletes have run 11.10 or better so we very well may see sub 11 times coming out of more than just the last section.

In the 200, last year's Freshman Sprint sensation is now this year's Sophomore sprint sensation. Cherokee Trail's Peyton Sommers will enter as the top seed (21.50). Sommers was the state runner up in 2022 at this distance, and the athlete who finished just behind him in that race will be the number 2 seed, Grandview's David Maldonado (21.69). TCA's Aaron Johnson is the only other athlete that has run sub 22 in the field, but odds are good that under the lights, most if not all in the fast heat run under 22. In the 400 Niwot Senior Ben Classen leads the field at 48.85. He is followed by a pair of sub 50 quarter milers, Cherokee Trail's Kahari Wilbon 49.68 and Cherry Creek's Carlson "Bubba" Tann 49.72. Grandview's Liam Szarka will make his 400 debut. If the name sounds familiar it is because Szarka is one of the top Quarterbacks in the State of Colorado. There is no doubt that we will see multiple sub 50 performers.

Hurdles (110H, and 300H)

In the 110 hurdles the top 3 seeds have run sub 15. Lead by Niwot's Eric Walker with a windy 14.64. Kyler Lewis of Fountain Fort-Carson (14.91) looks to carry the torch of what is arguably the most storied track and field program in Colorado history. Lewis is one of three Fountain Fort-Carson athletes in the fast heat. He is joined by teammates Mathias Price, and Cason Mantague. Grandview's Gibson "Gibby" Leafgreen (14.92) also looks to continue the Wolves strong hurdle tradition that has seen multiple state placers the last two seasons. In the 300's Fossil Ridge's Conner Vicars joins the hurdle fray as the number two seed (40.14) following Walker (39.28). Cherokee Trail's Lavelle Kabeya-Kombo is the three seed (40.71). And as always Colorado Hurdle Legend and Broomfield great Justin Hazzard will lead the hurdle set up crew.

Distance (800, 1600, and 3200)

It is no secret that Colorado produces the top distance talent in all of America. Training and competing at altitudes over 5,000 feet elevation certainly has its advantages. However, it can also make the seeding process for Reyes a little difficult at times. With several top end athletes competing out of state at lower elevations. Seed marks can become a bit of an issue, but Reyes gets by with a little help from his distance friends.

In the 800 every athlete in the fast heat has run sub 2:00. Reuben Holness of Cherokee Trail leads the field with a PR of 1:53.41 which is just below the meet record. He is followed by one of the nation's best distance runners in the class of 2025 Mountain Vista's Benjamin "Benji" Anderson, who is also scheduled to run in the 1600.

The Mountain Vista Nation distance machine just keeps churning. Coach Dalby will certainly have his crew ready to roll. In the 1600, Vista Nation's Tyler Downs looks to continue his phenomenal season. The senior clocked a time at altitude of 9:06.47 in the 3200. He may be primed to take down his former teammate's (Harrison Witt) meet record. To do so he will have to contend with Palmer Ridge's Jacob Bach who boosts a sea level 4:09.89 PR from the Chandler Rotary. Those three are just the tip of the iceberg!!

The race will feature 2022 5A Cross Country State Champion Christian Groendyk of Fort Collins, and 2021 3A Cross Country State Champion Matthew Edwards of The Classical Academy. Not even Prom can get in the way of Monarch's Sam Kampner joining the fray who has an altitude PR better than most in the field. To top it off Niwot Freshman Rocco Culpepper son of former Olympians Alan Culpepper and Shayne (Willie) will join the field. Rocco currently holds the number one freshman mile time in the US.

It is not unrealistic that every runner in the fast heat runs sub 4:20! The 3200 has 18 amazing athletes that have run sub 10! The field is led by a pair of Niwot athletes Jeremy Gillett, and Stefan Haug. With so many sea level times, predicting a winner is near impossible. The fastest altitude time in the field comes from Daniel Hruska of Cherry Creek. Cherry Creek distance athletes have a history of posting unreal performances on their home track. Under the lights the 3200 is a much watch!!

Horizontal Jumps (Long Jump and Triple Jump)

Fossil Ridge looks to dominate the Long Jump with 3 of the top 5 seeded jumpers in the field. Ryan Pollyea (22-2), Trevor Bode (21-9.5), and Marcus Mozier (21-8). Cherokee Trail's Xavier Anthony is the 3 seed (21-8.75), followed by Legend's Sam Axelrod (21-8), and Eaglecrest's Peyton Taylor (21-6). With so many meets experiencing poor weather and cancellations, the fast runway at Stutler is exactly what all Long Jumpers are looking for. I have a feeling that we will see a ton of PR's and the state rankings will look much different come Sunday morning.

The same can be said about the Triple Jump with Joe Cottingham of Fort Collins leading the field (44-8). Multi-event candidate Eric Walker (43-11) of Niwot is next followed by Maliek Jamison (43-7) of Cherokee Trail. The boys pit at Stutler is notorious for huge jumps, and with the forecast for Saturday, 2023 will be no exception!

Vertical Jumps (Pole Vault and High Jump)

Much like Fossil Ridge in the long jump, Chaparral looks to dominate the Pole Vault. With three athletes that have cleared 13-0 or higher. Eric Vuolo (14-0), Frankie Alvarado (13-0), and Lane Taylor (13-0). Myles Balding of Cherry Creek has cleared (13-7), Grandview's Rylen Lippelt (13-6), and Aaron Lang from Palmer Ridge (13-0) round out the top 6 vaulters.

The winner of the High Jump is anyone's guess. Defending Stutler Twilight Champion Jordan Wenger of The Classical Academy has a PR of 6-6, but Fort Collin's Joe Cottingham also has a PR of 6-6. The next 3 jumpers are more than capable of taking home the title as well. Rocky Mountain's Lance Gilbertson (6-5), Grandview's Zane Cole (6-4), and Fort Collins Finn Conway Reiser (6-4). Regardless of who ends up on top in both events, simply watching such great athletes sail through the air with ease is something everyone should experience!!

Throws (Discus and Shot Put)

The throws are not in the stadium, probably because it isn't large enough to contain them! The Shot Put will feature top throwers across three classifications. All with a chance to become State Champions in May. Mac Busteed of Fossil Ridge is currently 5A #2 (53-2), Blake Von Tongeren of The Classical Academy is currently 3A #3 (48-10.5), and Walker Himebauch of Palmer Ridge is currently 4A #5 (48-7). This type of cross classification battle rarely happens but leave it to the Stutler Twilight to make it a reality.

In the Discus, Palmer Ridge's Caleb Dall leads the field (158-4) and is 4A #3. Followed closely by Busteed (152-11), and Rocky Mountain's Kaiden Major (150-0.5). Like always, taking the trip up through the parking lot to see the throws will be well worth the effort!!

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. Grandview currently leads Colorado in both the 4x100 and 4x200, however, the Wolves will be concentrating on the 4x400 this week. Leaving Cherokee Trail, Eaglecrest, and Cherry Creek as the top three seeds in the 4x100. The Centennial league rivals look to post times that will knock Grandview out of the #1 ranked spot. All have the talent and athletes to do so.

In the 4x200 Fountain Fort-Carson joins the fray. Coach's Montoya and 1995 State Champion Coach Keith Smith will surly have the Trojans ready to compete. The 4x800 early in the program looks to set the tone for the boys meet. Perennial Powerhouse Niwot and Track Tradition Rich Rocky Mountain are the top 2 seeds.

And of course, nothing compares to the "Rock the Boat" 4x400's. A spectacle unlike any other in sport at all levels. With so many fans cheering on the infield it is an electric scene. If you only see one event ever in Track and Field, it needs to be this one. Cherokee Trail is the top seed. The Cougars won the 2022 State Title in the 4x400 and look primed to do so again in 2023. There is a reason why this will be the last race of the night, and I highly suggest that you come and find out why!!!!

The Stutler Twilight always has huge implications on the outcome of the Colorado State Championship team title, and this year will be no different. Grandview is the two-time defending 5A Boys State Champions. The Wolves lost a lot to graduation but can never be ruled out. Cherokee Trail appears to be the favorite to dethrone the Wolves. Fossil Ridge is also putting together a team that will surely be in the hunt for a State Title 3 weeks from now. Odds are good that the 5A State Champion team will come from the 5A schools at the Twilight. In 4A, both Niwot and Palmer Ridge will be in the hunt for State Titles in 2023. The Classical Academy is the only 3A school at the meet for a reason. The Titan's appear to be on course to win yet another Track and Field State Title. State Title runs begin at the Stutler Twilight!!

GIRLS PREVIEW

Sprints (100, 200, and 400)

Just like the boys, the collection of speed on display Saturday is unreal. Symone Adams of Cherokee Trail is the top seed (11.91). The 2022 5A 100m State Champion will battle Gabriella Cunningham from neighboring Grandview (11.93) for Arapahoe Road bragging rights. Mountain Vista's Rachel Bair has been on fire this season posting marks in multiple events. She has a PR of 12.02 in the 100, making those individuals the top 3 marks in all of Colorado. The next three seeds have all run sub 12.50. Jaylynn Wilson of Eaglecrest (12.26), McKenzie Droughns (12.35), and Jada Miller of Fountain Fort-Carson (12.45). Certainly, a preview of the 5A 100-meter final at State!

Bair currently leads the State of Colorado in the 200 (24.96) she will battle 2 of the nation's best hurdlers in Kimora Northrup (25.08) of Niwot, and Cunningham of Grandview. The Classical Academy's Heidi Nielsen has posted the fastest time in 3A (25.16). Every competitor in the fast heat of the 200 has run sub 26.

In the 400, ten entries have run sub 60. Madison Shults of Niwot is coming off a huge 2:04.28 800 performance at the Arcadia Invitational which is the 3^rd best 800 time in the nation! She will step down to the 400 and look to better her 400 PR of 56.05, and threaten the meet record. Grandview's Ava Robinson is also coming off a big PR from the Arcadia Invitational (57.71) and will look to better her PR as well. The next 2 seeds are Simocea Esquibel of Niwot (58.34) and Anna Wehrenberg of Grandview (59.62). I sense a 4x400 battle brewing!!

Hurdles (100H, and 300H)

Grandview's Gabriella Cunningham is currently #6 in the nation in the 100H (13.69). The Junior standout is looking to not only better the meet record, but also move up the national rankings. If she puts together a clean race, we may see a state record? The 100H will also feature two athletes that have run sub 15, Niwot's Kimora Northrup (14.58) and Cherokee Trail's Sanaai Hancock (14.80). The fast heat will also include the fastest Freshman hurdler in Colorado, Alexa Queen of Fountain Fort-Carson (15.52). The daughter of University of Colorado Hall of Famer Donna Waller, and arguably the Best athlete to ever come out of Glenwood Springs, Matt Queen.

In the 300H Cunningham will sit out to get ready for the 200 and 4x400, but Northrup won't sit this one out. She is the top seed (43.19). The second seed is Elliana Adams of Doherty (46.96), then Eaglecrest's Rachel Carlsen (47.07). Both meet records are certainly in jeopardy Saturday.

Distance (800, 1600, and 3200)

The last two years Cherry Creek's Riley Stewart has stolen the show!! In consecutive years, Stewart broke both the 1600 and 3200 State Records. With the graduation of Stewart, who will step up to be the next Colorado great? Her predecessor most likely will come from the Stutler Twilight field. In the 800, Cherry Creek's Addison Price looks to carry the torch as the top seed (2:14.28). She will be challenged by Niwot's Lex Bullen (2:14.95). All total nine competitors have run sub 2:20 and all nine will be in the fast heat.

The 1600 will feature four athletes that have broken 5:00 at altitude. The pride of Broomfield and daughter of some of Broomfield's finest, Maelynn Higgins, has the best altitude PR of 4:55.80. Niwot's Mia Prok (4:56.20 altitude mark), Peyton Adams of Mountain Vista (4:57.27), and Olivia Alessandrini (4:58.13). Ella Johns of Fort Collins has an altitude PR of (5:01.49). It certainly will take well under 5:00 to win this race.

In the 3200 teammates Cayley Swaim and Zoe Brandt will enter as the top seeds 11:05.78 and 11:15.27, respectively. The 3200 under lights is always a crowd favorite, and there is no reason to believe anything will be different in 2023.

Horizontal Jumps (Triple Jump and Long Jump)

The girls long jump will feature 5 athletes that have sailed over 17 feet. All everything Rachel Bair looks to sail above 18, as she has a PR of 17-11.75. The University of Utah commit may be the best female all around Track and Field athlete in Colorado. Jada Miller of Fountain Fort-Carson can make the same argument. She is the second seed at 17-5.5. The other 17 plus jumpers are Alexys Hill of Fossil Ridge (17-3), Emily Hruby of Legend (17-3), and Mattea Dolan of Grandview (17-1).

In the Triple Jump Jada Miller leads the field at 39-5. If there was ever a time and a place to jump 40 plus, it is at the Stutler Twilight. The second seed is Renata Bergstrom of Cherry Creek (36-8.25), followed by Katie Rankin of Fossil Ridge (35-7.5). With what may be the fastest runways in the state, multiple PR's will be destroyed Saturday night. At the Stutler Twilight both fans and coaches can get up close to watch these fabulous athletes jump. That doesn't happen often at meets so come on down to the girls Long and Triple Jump pit on the South end if you want to witness something truly special.

Vertical Jumps (Pole Vault and High Jump)

The dream Colorado female pole vault competition is back for round 2. Last year, Broomfield's Lilly Nichols set the meet record at 13-4 edging out The Classical Academy's Anna Willis who had the previous meet record of 13-3. Nichols and Willis are two of the top 5 female vaulters ever from Colorado and Saturday they will go head to head. The state record of 13-9 held by Anna's sister Andrea Willis may be bettered Saturday night. The Stutler Twilight meet director will certainly have a state record application on site for the Pole Vault. This is a competition that no one should miss!!!

The Girls High Jump may be the most tightly contested event of the meet. The top 7 entries all have PR's within 1.5 inches of each other. Ryen Galloway (5-3) of Cherokee Trail, Sarah Collins of Broomfield (5-3), Addison Hayes (5-2), Lily DeGarza of Doherty (5-2), Anna Coles of Fountain Fort-Carson (5-2), Andrea Davis of Grandview (5-2), and Kayleigh Jones of Broomfield (5-1.5). Picking a winner is anyone's guess. The great thing about this sport is that we get to find out on Saturday!!

Throws (Shot Put and Discus)

Although the shot and disc are not in the stadium, the walk up the parking lot is well worth it for the girl's competitions as well. In the Girls Shot Put Niwot's Jade West leads the entries at 41-3.5, she will have to contest with Palmer Ridge's Geneva "Gigi" German (38-3.5) and Eaglecrest's Blythe Cayko (36-8). Cayko is also State Champion wrestler the multi-sport star will look to make her last Stutler Twilight her best. Cherry Creek's Addison Edwards is the fourth seed in the Shot Put (36-0), and the top seed in the Discus at 125-0.

It is no surprise that Coach Critchett has another outstanding thrower!!

The two seed is Kylie Mayer of Palmer Ridge (119-11), followed by teammate German (116-8). Just like in the jumps, spectators and fans will be up close and personal to the action.

Relays (Sprint Med, 4x100, 4x200, 4x400, and 4x800)

Like the boys, the girl's relays are the hardest to forecast. It appears that Doherty is looking to put down a state qualifying time in the 800 Sprint Medley in the first contested running event along with Fossil Ridge.

The following race, Cherry Creek's 4x800 will get the party rolling. Fossil Ridge leads all of Colorado in the 4x100 at 48.80, Niwot has also run sub 50 at 49.67. Niwot takes the honors as top seed in the 4x200 at 1:43.63 followed by Fountain Fort-Carson at 1:45.64.

Then of course there is the event everyone wants to be a part of, the "Rock the Boat" 4x400. The one meet where literally everyone wants to run the 4x400!! It appears that we will see at least 4 squads dip well under 4:00. It looks like Grandview, Niwot, Mountain Vista, and Eaglecrest are all loading up their teams! Something tells me sub 3:50 is on the horizon? So get ready for what will most definitely be an EPIC clash!

Much like the boys, the odds of the 5A, 4A, and 3A State Championship squads competing at the Stutler Twilight are high. Cherry Creek is the defending 5A State Champs, and Niwot is the defending 4A State Champs. In 5A Cherokee Trail, Fossil Ridge, Mountain Vista, and Grandview all appear to be in contention in 2023. Niwot is the favorite in 4A, and The Classical Academy will be in the hunt in 3A.

STUTLER TWILIGHT INVITATIONAL RECORDS

BOYS

100 EVAN JOHNSON GRANDVIEW 10.63 2022

200 EVAN JOHNSON GRANDVIEW 21.84 2022

400 KY ODAY CHERRY CREEK 48.37 2021

800 TIMOTHY THOMPSON ROCKY MOUNTAIN 1:53.88 2021

1600 HARRISON WITT MOUNTAIN VISTA 4:13.68 2021

3200 PAUL ROBERTS LYONS 9:13.55 2015

110H DARRIUS GAW SMOKY HILL 14.39 2018

300H MALIQUE SINGLETON GRANDVIEW 38.50 2021

HJ DAVID THORNTON CHEROKEE TRAIL 7'0 2016

PV MAX MANSON MONARCH 16'0 2019