Cassidy Madison of Platte Valley, center, staged a mild upset to win the 100 meter dash in 11.73/-1.1. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Highland's Kayla Gross turned back all other contenders to win the girls 400 meters. Photo by Alan Versaw.
There's more than one way to beat a bad weather forecast. Unfortunately, however, most methods of beating the forecast involve luck. University High School Dan Betz took a different approach and moved his meet up a day to beat a forecasted storm (one that has yet to completely materialize).
By so doing, the University Bulldog Early Invite enjoyed pleasant temperatures--by March standards, anyway--light winds, and no precipitation. Among the results was a healthy cluster of nine prequalifying marks.
Joining the anticipated assemblage of Weld County schools was The Classical Academy. The Titans clashed with Eaton, Highland, Dayspring Christian, Pawnee, Platte Valley, Weld Central, and host school University.
Eaton High School served notice that they will, once again, be a power to be reckoned with in the horizontal jumps. The entire 3A world already knows about senior Beth Jones, who won both events but missed a triple jump prequalifying mark due to a 2.3 wind. What the rest of the 3A world hadn't anticipated was that Melanie Mackey would not be a participant, but her absence would not be felt in a huge way due to the emergence of freshman Paitton Heltenberg (see soon-to-be-updatd cover photo for the 2A/3A prequalifiers list) . Heltenberg finished second in the long jump and third in the triple jump, but punched her ticket to state with the day's only wind-legal qualifying mark in the triple jump at 34-3.
Kali Wolaver of Weld Central dominated the shot put competition with a heave of 37-7, five feet in front of second place and also good enough to punch her own ticket to state.
All other prequalifying marks on the day went to The Classical Academy. in her first action of the season, Kaitlin Hanenburg posted prequalifying marks in the 1600 and 3200. Hanenburg's out-of-the-gates 5:11.46 in the 1600 raised a few eyebrows, but so also did Ben Hinckfoot's state-leading marks in the 110 and 300 hurdles. Also posting state-qualifying marks for TCA were Emily LaValley (300 hurdles), Eric Versaw (800), and the girls' 4x400 meter relay.
Narrow misses on prequalifying marks not already mentioned included: Sam Reid (200), TCA girls 4x200 relay, and Josh Simkins (1600).
The meet schedule remains light through this coming weekend as most Colorado high schools are either just coming off of spring break or taking their spring break this week.