Broomfield Shootout

Would have loved to have seen the boys' 400 meters at this race. We normally think of both Trent Ireland and Brett Wright as shorter sprinters, but both can clearly extend to 400 meters. Ireland would have swept the sprints but for Wright's effort in the 400.

David Day of ThunderRidge proved his 6-6 in Arizona the week prior wasn't solely the result of warmer temperatures. A 6-8 clearance puts him atop the current list of 5A high jumpers.

Denver Christian's Ryan Poland ran a very nice 9:49.55 to post what would have been a leader board topping time but for somebody running faster down in Pueblo.

Cedaredge Invitational

Don't let the absence of "national elite performances" fool you. Cedaredge had a very good home meet with Sierra Williams improving her state-qualifying 100 time, the boys 4x200 posting a state qualifying mark, Ben Brewer improving his state-qualifying 400 meter time and then knocking down easily the best 3A 200 in the state thus far this season. The Bruins could use more contribution from distance and field events, but they are stacking points up in bunches over on the western slope.

And somebody make sure nobody has given Limon's Caitlyn Hubbard the 100 meter hurdle gold medal. Lindsey Stindt of Norwood is going to make this one interesting.

City of Littleton Championships

You don't necessarily expect much out of a meet of six or eight teams, but there is some serious track talent within the Littleton city limits. Littleton's female 400 runners are back at it.

Jenna Adams had a nice time at the pole vault venue and, to nobody's surprise, Kumar Pinkney, Stephanie Gerber, and Andi Slouka had very nice meets.

El Paso County Small Schools Meet #3

Normally, Tuesday meets don't garner a lot of attention, but this one was Tiffany Kenney's first meet back from basketball. Her hurdle speed seems undiminished by the layoff. And, surprise, she was spotted heaving the shot put at this meet. Looks like a multi-event talent in the making. She's already proven at high jump, 100 hurdles, 200 meters, and long jump. Look for her in the bright red hair.

Also of note, TCA's Noelle Brown used this meet to launch a personal-best 5-4 high jump. Wind, what wind?

And, finally, this meet marked the debut of 3A's newest sprint phenom--Icenia Anderson of James Irwin. The handheld times from this meet were kind of breathtaking, but she backed them up under windy conditions at the Pikes Peak Invitational on Saturday. It should be fun to watch what kind of season she has.

Foot of the Rockies Invitational

If anyone was wondering when Reggie Allison would launch a big triple jump, this one starts to scratch the surface of what Allison is capable of doing. As temperatures warm up, look for the distances to increase in measure.

For anyone not reading the handwriting on the wall, the Loveland girls are setting up as a serious 5A state meet powerhouse. In addition to the usual assortment of relays, the Indians are getting nice individual contributions from Kailie Hartman, Maggie Anderson, Caylee Packham, Ezinne Onuoha, and Anna Gerhard. If another major contributor or two arrives on the scene, watch out.

Speaking of state contenders, Sierra has some serious mojo going right now. Both the boys and the girls can put the hurt on in a number of different ways. Faleesa Jeffrey, Edison Mason, Chris Sterling, Emilio Trujillo, Keith Limery, Steven Walker, Dean Trott, Elizabeth Robertson, and relays, relays, relays. You'd better have a few horses in the stable yourself if you're going to run with the Stallions.

Fort Collins Runners Roost Invitational

Okay, so they had two meets at French Field this week. It wasn't designed that way--it just happened that way. Sometimes weather makes for strange bedfellows.

So far, Olivia Anderson isn't running both the 300 hurdles and the 800 in the same meet, but when she runs either one, she's running people off the track. On Monday, it was the 800. Keep reading to see what happened on Saturday. If you can have a 5A state title contender with three top-flight athletes, Cherry Creek would be a serious candidate with Anderson, Clare Gallagher, and Rachael Opgenorth.

The boys' 800 featured a very nice showdown between Smoky Hill's Matt Caldwell and Regis's Ryan VanPortfliet. VanPortfliet takes this one.

Greeley Wests's A. J. Frieler is having a great year in the discus ring and winning first place at the FCRR was a nice touch.

Greeley Central Invitational

This one was another make-up from a lousy weekend at the end of spring break for most schools.

Rikki Gonzales dominated both the 800 and 1600. Allie Parks answered a few questions by winning the 3200.

If you've been around a few years, you're accustomed to seeing Cherokee Trail putting a nice set of boys relays on the track. It looks like things will be no different in 2010.

Harrison Panther Invitational

Yet another makeup meet, but this one was a makeup from way back on March 20. March 20 might actually have been a nicer day--especially as far as the wind was concerned. At least, however, it was decently warm for this meet.

In a year with a number of really solid hurdlers, Kita Alvares of Cheyenne Mountain is staking her claim as one of the best, if not the best. Two months to settle this.

And speaking of hurdlers, Trevor Brown is back on the (outdoor) track. Right now, nobody is close.

And, take note of a new face on the high jump scene. Mitchell's Gelisa Thorton had two very nice meet titles in one week.

And, finally, the throwing circles at this meet were the site of some very nice performances by Jaden Terry, Elizabeth Robertson, and Alexis Cooks.

Mustang Invitational

Well, Eleanor Fulton is back. That means a lot of vacancy at every place but first. This was likely a setup meet for Mullen for Fulton, and the setting up went well. Pam Yu had a nice long jump to prove Highlands Ranch isn't all about distance.

Zane Evans (Castle View) and Jolie Dubois (Glenwood Springs) owned the sprints, but high winds robbed them of a rankings time or two.

And, yes, Coach Roberts, I did notice that 3A prequalifying mark in the 4x200. Nice bunch of young sprinters you have, Mark, and a nice meet title for them as well.

Pikes Peak Invitational

The wind blew. It blew all day. It messed with what otherwise could have been an even larger set of rankings marks.

Fresh off of Monday's 800 smackdown, Olivia Anderson issued a stern challenge to all comers in the 300 hurdles on Saturday. Gelisa Thorton validated her high jump from Tuesday with a 5-6 on Saturday, in the wind.

Libby Westfall nudged the bar up an extra half-inch to nab the top pole vault mark of the season to date. Tiffany Kenney uncorked a 17-7 for her first official long jump of the season.

Trevor Brown is simply a (very fast) machine over the hurdles. And check out Jaden Terry's discus toss. Forget about Mason Finley for a second and realize that three or four years ago we would be talking about how long it is before Jaden Terry breaks the state all-classification record in the discus.

Pueblo County Hornet Invitational

Harrison's Charron Johnson is a very fast young lady. While this meet may not have been her best effort of the year, it still underscored the fact that she needs to be figured into the 4A 100 meter contenders this spring.

It was nice to see that Sara Benson is going over hurdles again. As mentioned above, it's a tough year in hurdles (both boys and girls), but Benson figures to be one of the last ones standing.

Myra Dean had a very nice season opener in the high jump. The 3A girls high jump should be especially competitive this year.

And, finally, I would like to draw your attention to that very nice showdown in the 3200 between Michael Cernoia of Pueblo West and Tabor Stevens of Canon City. This matchup should repeat itself a few more times this spring. Catch it at least once.

Randall Hess Invitational

Very nice hurdle marks for Aaron Praska of Longmont HS. Have I mentioned yet about this being an outstanding year for hurdles?

Amy Medina gets a little competition from Courtney Mills in the triple jump. So, who is Courtney Mills? I guess we're about to find out.

Samantha Kee and Brett Wright had very nice Mondays, winning five individual events between the two of them.

Sand Creek Scorpion Invitational

Kiah Hicks is having her way with the throws right now. If she can keep tossing the discus 137-9, she might have her way all season long.

Kaitlin Hanenburg soloed a very nice 11:16.16 in the 3200.

Any time someone wins all three sprint events in a meet, it's worth mentioning. That honor for this meet goes to Kadeshia Rose of Mesa Ridge.