Photo by Bobby Reyes
5A
Girls Sprints
Spectators will get to see what's likely to be the first of many great battles at State between Valor Christian's Ellie Londo, and Heritage's Zona Welling.
Londo - a sophomore - and Welling - a freshman - battled at The Pomona Invitational, and in both 100 and the 200, Londo emerged victorious. Londo ran 11.94 in the 100, and 24.46, while Welling was a stride back. Welling has run personal bests of 11.98 and 24.46 (wind-aided) two weeks ago.
A side-story here, or additional question, is: Can Londo triple? She's the top-seed in the 100, 200, and the 400.
As a freshman Londo finished 12th in the prelims of the 400, and did not qualify in the 100 or 200. This week she heads to Jeffco Stadium as the favorite to sweep the sprints.
But she'll have competition.
Boys Throws
Chatfield's Charlie Lafore has been on fire this season.
He's been on top of the rankings all spring, with PRs of 190-0 in the discus, and 65-4.25. Add that he's heads to Lakewwood undefeated in both events, and that he's tossed over 180-feet in the discus five-consecutive times, and beyond 60-feet four times.
The defending state champ in the shot put and the discus will likely be eyeing two 5A state-meet records.
The 5A shot put state meet record is 66-03.25 - Jim Banich from 1982, while the discus state meet record is 192-5 - Todd Austin from 1977.
Both seem to be in reach for Lafore.
Girls Distance
Air Academy's Bethany Michalak has been one of the best distance runners in Colorado throughout her entire career.
And now she'll head to Jeffco for one more time (or perhaps, three or four depending on how many events she races) on the line.
Last year she finished second in the historic 1,600 that saw a Colorado soil record go down - Michalak ran the second-fastest 1,600 ever in Colorado, a 4:42.65. And she finished second in the 3,200.
She had two runner-up finishes her sophomore year in 2022, and she won the 1,600 in 2021 as a freshman.
Consider that - in Michalak's five races at the Colorado track championships, she's tallied four runner-ups, and one state title.
She's run 4:51.22 in the 1,600 in Colorado this season, and 4:39 at lower elevations. She's run the 800 and the 3,200 once, clocking 2:13.76, and 10:43.
But you can't count out the defending 800 state champ (and cross country state champ) Rosie Mucharsky, who has made a theme of running her best at State.
The Denver East junior ran 4:51.52 at Stutler Twilight, which is just behind Michakak's 5A No. 1 of 4:51.22.
Last year Mucharsky stunned the field to win the 800 state title in 2:09.57. At the time it was a five-second outdoor PR in the event. If that result tells us anything, it's that Mucharsky will be ready to fly this week.
Most recently Mucharsky torched a 56.92 in the 400 at the DPS - City League Meet, so clearly she's working on her speed.
As mentioned above, Mucharsky owns two state titles - the 800 and the 5k (quite the range).
Likewise, Michalak owns two state titles - the 1,600, and the 5k.