Prior to the 2023 Colorado State Championships it was clear that Smoky Hill's 7:45.10 22 year-old state record would be under assault.
Mountain Vista, Cherokee Trail, and Valor Christian had run within seconds of the mark before heading to JeffCo Stadium in May.
The question wasn't "if" -- it was perhaps more of "who?"
And the who was Mountain Vista.
Photo by Cinnamon Bergeron
Excerpt from:
The boys 5A 4x800 lived up to the hype!
Mountain Vista and Cherokee Trail had a race for the ages at the 2023 Colorado State Championships!
The battle went down the final leg, where Cherokee Trail held the edge, but a heart-breaking dropped baton turned the tables into Mountain Vista's hands.
And Tyler Downs took full advantage.
Photo by Bobby Reyes
The Mountain Vista senior torched his two laps to help Vista Nation take down Smoky Hill's 7:45.10. 22 year-old state record - a record run before anyone on the squad was born.
Mountain Vista stopped the clock at 7:42.58, which is a US No. 4.
Cherokee Trail battled hard despite the setback, and were rewarded with a 7:45.69 - a US No. 11, and Colorado All-Time No. 4.
The first day of the 2023 Colorado State Championships did not disappoint!