Boulder County Championships

David Perry continues to have a very nice season. So far, he hasn't run out of state at some friendly low-elevation track, but perhaps that comes after the state meet.

Longmont appears to have the motor purring right now with Samantha Kee, Aaron Praska, Tyler Johnson, and a few others posting big marks. But, don't get in a hurry to be handing out any state trophies. Both 4A trophies will likely come down to wars of attrition.

If you follow 3A track and field, you should note that Rachel Hinker of Lyons is back on the track. She doesn't seem pleased about a month's layoff. And the five or so guys who man the sprint relays for Lyons don't seem to be taking any prisoners, either.

Monarch's Kirk Webb takes two county championships in the 1600 and 800. Not a bad day in a talent-rich county. Kelley Robinson rips a huge 2A 11:43 3200. And four boys go over 21-0 with wind-legal long jumps.

This one is always a great meet!

Coal Ridge Invitational

Blistering sprint relays by Cedaredge. There isn't much left for the Bruins to prequalify. Now, it comes down to figuring out which events to emphasize come the end of the season.

I would have liked to have seen that 3200 where Johanna Reed and Brandi Krieg went to the wire with .07 seconds of difference at the end. And, how about Gunnison going 1-2-3 in the boys 4x800? Keep an eye on their 4x800 entry.

Durango Ron Keller Invitational

A nice pair of efforts in the 800 and 1600 by twin sisters for Alamosa.

Gus Barnes is more or less having his way in the sprints in western Colorado this spring. But, in case you missed it, Oakley Hayes of Ignacio just posted the best 2A boys 400 time in the state so far this spring chasing Mr. Barnes.

Lindsey Stindt of Norwood continues to impress in the hurdle events, getting the first 2A girls prequalifying mark in the 300 hurdles on Saturday.

Glenwood Springs Demon Invitational

Apparently, Brandi Krieg didn't get enough of the 3200 on Friday. She came back on Saturday and ran it again in Glenwood. But, if Ms. Krieg didn't have bad luck, she might not have any luck at all. This time it was Chiara Del Piccolo, Krieg's other long-time nemesis,who kept her in the place with the red ribbon.

We're more or less accustomed to seeing Glenwood's girls sweep the relays at almost any meet they choose to do so, but the 49.71 4x400 and the 4:04.73 4x400 suggest this might be an even better than usual relay year for the Demon(ette)s. For the record, the Glenwood boys also swept their relay events.

When you see the "Meeker" on the front of Kathryn Doll's uniform, you might want to ask, "Meeker than what, a mountain lion?" Doll wins the long and goes second in the triple jump. It seems like things are starting to come back around for her.

I'm a little suspicious that I don't have quite exactly the right wind readings in the results for the boys' 100, but an 11.31 in prelims followed by an 11.30 in finals for Aspen's Luke Hemming sends him directly to the front of the class in 3A boys.

Jeffco 4A Qualifier

This meet almost gets lost in the big weekend of meets that followed. Mark Weeks of Arvada had a very nice day heaving the shot put. For the most part, though, this appears to have been a bit of a subdued meet. Evergreen's sub-10 mark in the girls 4x800 is worthy of notice, as are Elizabeth's girls sprint relays and a solo effort 1:59.08 for Scott Fauble in the 800.

Nike Valor Championships

For anyone visiting from another planet, this one was the big meet of the weekend here in Colorado. While the weather may have dampened a few of the performances, there was nothing lackluster about the talent or competition present.

For those beginning to harbor some doubts about the strength of the Thompson Valley girls team, there were a few questions answered on Saturday. Most notably, questions were answered in the 800.

Olivia Anderson added a little measure of consternation for the competition by throwing her red-and-blue singlet into the 400 mix. 57.28 isn't bad for a first time out.

And, in the boys' 400, it was the young men from El Paso County who staged somewhat of an upset--Brandon Parson and Ben Goodman slipped by Kevin Scheuerman and Carzell Vickers for the first two places.

The discus event was as great as advertised with no less than nine boys throwing over 150-0.

Relay times are starting to drop like rocks. This is starting to get serious, folks!

Phil Wertman Invitational

With several other meets taking place on the western slope this weekend, this one became a bit of a low-key affair for the larger schools on the western slope. Jenna Schaak of Montezuma-Cortez had a nice win in the 300 hurdles.

Pueblo City Championships

We're used to seeing monster shot put marks from Megan Patterson. This meet, however, might just be an indicator that the discus is starting to click for her as well.

And, where did Abby Simpson come from? The young lady is simply dominating the sprints in the steel city.

Springfield Longhorn Invitational

Eads High School doesn't have many students. The CHSAA web site says they have all of 66 students enrolled. A shell of the school's former enrollment. There is only one problem so far as the competition is concerned--every last one of them is either named Nissi Hallman or they throw the discus. Generally speaking, they throw the discus very well. Three prequalified discus throwers. Don't mess with Eads.

Team-wise, however, Baca County is making a serious bid at the team-to-beat status in 2A boys. Laken Alley, Landry Cogburn, Genesis Enriquez, Hagen Turner, and company are posting some very nice results. I suspect at least one or two of these are mult-sport athletes, but woe to the team that doesn't take them seriously at state. You may drive through Baca County thinking there isn't much there, but looks can be deceiving.

Terry Amundson Invitational

Shawn Dubbs goes to Byers and claims the distance triple crown. Mr. Dubbs is going to be a serious contender in each of the 2A distance events. It is safe to say, however, that folks like Ty Williams and Eric Lewis should make it interesting. It's a good year for 2A distance events.

Thornton Invitational

It's becoming an annual exercise--ThunderRidge goes to this meet and pounds on people. Making matters worse, the Grizzlies weren't even fully loaded at this meet. They simply have a lot of depth--more than most schools can dream of matching.

Palmer Ridge's Spencer Wenck ran a nice 9:44 to win the 3200. Think of young Mr. Wenck when you start calculating potential points in the 4A boys 3200. Think of teammate Hunter Warwick when you start calculating points in the hurdle events, as well.

Wray Invitational

When was the last time you heard of three 2A girls going under 60 in the 400 in the same meet? I suspect it's never happened before except at a state meet. Say "hello," to the faces of excellence in 2A girls 400s--Marissa Smith, Sydney Clarkson, and Ashley Atkin. And, what was that 2:26 for Clarkson in the 800? Are we seeing the beginnings of a new event for her? If so, she certainly looks like a potential contender.

Right now, if anyone is figuring on knocking off Wray's boys for the state championship this spring, they'd better have some answers. Wray has simply been off the charts in sprints and sprint relays. That adds up to a lot of points at state. Go chase.