Lindsey Hubbard, shown here en route to winning the 300 hurdles at last spring's state meet, is one of those athletes who will have to make some event choices prior to the state meet. Colorado Track XC file photo.
I wasn't planning on updating this feature this soon, but a snow day in the district where I teach provided opportunity. Realistically, this may be my last opportunity this spring to do this.
While acknowledging that there are a couple of gaps in meet results that must be factored in, and there are still a couple of schools who have run very limited meets, this still gives us some sort of window into where teams stand at the moment.
3A Boys (Scroll down for 3A Girls)
At the moment, there are four teams with a substantial gap on the rest of the field--The Classical Academy, Faith Christian, Cedaredge, and Lyons. Each of these four teams has a strong relay presence. While each has a decent contingent of individual talent, none of the four depend solely on that individual talent to make their case. Individual talent alone rarely wins team titles. We saw that illustrated in a telling sort of way last spring when Buena Vista, with arguably the two best athletes in the 3A state meet, was unable to bring home the overall title.
Both TCA and Faith Christian are going to score points in a lot of different places. For Faith, the strength lies a little more in jumps and sprints than in the other events. For TCA, distance and hurdles are producing most of the points to date. It seems reasonable to expect Faith to field a strong 4x800 entry before long to add a few points to their arsenal.
Lyons and Cedaredge both expect to pick up points in sprints, sprint relays, and hurdles. Lyons appears to give up just a little to Cedaredge in these events, but makes it up with distance entries that Cedaredge doesn't match.
Calculated as of April 23, 2010
These rankings were calculated by scoring the rankings as a meet. We took the individual rankings and relay rankings and scored them as a normal meet: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.
| 1. | Classical Academy, The | 104 |
| Ben Hinckfoot (110H 10 + 300H 10 = 20) | ||
| E J Nelson (400m 10 = 10) | ||
| Eric Versaw (800m 10 = 10) | ||
| Eric Wermuth (200m 6 = 6) | ||
| John Metzger (3200m 2 = 2) | ||
| Josh Simkins (1600m 8 + 3200m 8 = 16) | ||
| Kevin Schwindt (LJ 6 + PV 9 = 15) | ||
| Relay Team (25) | ||
| 2. | Faith Christian High School | 72 |
| Evan Fortney (1600m 4 = 4) | ||
| Evan Marshall (100m 1 + 200m 8 = 9) | ||
| Grayson Bundick (D 2 + S 2 = 4) | ||
| Hayden Loudenslager (HJ 3 + LJ 8 + TJ 10 = 21) | ||
| Micah Twedell (200m 5 = 5) | ||
| Relay Team (19) | ||
| Sam Yeager (1600m 6 + 800m 4 = 10) | ||
| 3. | Cedaredge High School | 53.33 |
| Ben Brewer (200m 10 + 400m 5 = 15) | ||
| Cade Sweeney (110H 3 = 3) | ||
| Danny Martinez (HJ 6.33 = 6.33) | ||
| Dante Markley (300H 1 = 1) | ||
| Geordan Brewer (110H 6 + 300H 6 = 12) | ||
| Relay Team (16) | ||
| 4. | Lyons High School | 49 |
| Alex Frazier (PV 5 = 5) | ||
| Dylan Donohoe (3200m 4 = 4) | ||
| Forrest Donnell (LJ 4 = 4) | ||
| Jacob Windsor (110H 1 + 300H 2 = 3) | ||
| Matthew Chanlynn (PV 2 = 2) | ||
| Relay Team (26) | ||
| Zach Pfeifer (800m 5 = 5) | ||
| 5. | Denver Christian High School | 26 |
| Ryan Poland (1600m 10 + 3200m 10 + 800m 6 = 26) | ||
| 6. | Erie High School | 25 |
| Greg Reese (PV 6 = 6) | ||
| Josh Willuhn (D 3 = 3) | ||
| Max Dixon (TJ 7 = 7) | ||
| Relay Team (2) | ||
| Robert Newell (S 5 = 5) | ||
| Stephen Gunter (800m 2 = 2) | ||
| 7. | Platte Valley High School | 24 |
| Relay Team (8) | ||
| Sterling Zehnder (1600m 2 + 400m 6 + 800m 8 = 16) | ||
| 8. | Bayfield High School | 22.5 |
| Derek Laue (1600m 3 + 3200m 3 = 6) | ||
| Jacob Hetrick (PV 9 = 9) | ||
| John Cusick (3200m 1 = 1) | ||
| Relay Team (3) | ||
| Travis Stuever (PV 3.5 = 3.5) | ||
| 9. | Olathe High School | 22 |
| Garhett Jurgens (100m 2 = 2) | ||
| Levi Weber (HJ 3 = 3) | ||
| Pablo Payan (100m 7 = 7) | ||
| Relay Team (10) | ||
| 10. | Holy Family High School | 21 |
| Colton Emich (D 6 = 6) | ||
| Nate Golter (400m 1 = 1) | ||
| Relay Team (14) | ||
| 11. | Brush High School | 19.5 |
| Amos Bowen (1600m 5 + 3200m 5 = 10) | ||
| Cj Kukus (HJ 1 + TJ 4.5 = 5.5) | ||
| Levi Brennemann (D 4 = 4) | ||
| 12. | Peak to Peak Charter School | 19 |
| David Wang (110H 8 + 300H 5 = 13) | ||
| Luke Johnson (LJ 5 + TJ 1 = 6) | ||
| 13. | Gunnison High School | 18 |
| Evan Ferchau (LJ 2 = 2) | ||
| Keanan Garnes (S 4 = 4) | ||
| Relay Team (12) | ||
| 13. | Roaring Fork High School | 18 |
| Taylor Browning (100m 7 + 400m 3 = 10) | ||
| Zach Browning (400m 8 = 8) | ||
| 15. | Manitou Springs High School | 17 |
| Cole Mcqueeney (TJ 7 = 7) | ||
| Jake Wood (300H 8 = 8) | ||
| Relay Team (2) | ||
| 16. | Discovery Canyon High School | 15 |
| Alex Drake (300H 3 = 3) | ||
| Christian Fournier (LJ 3 + TJ 3 = 6) | ||
| Nick Adams (800m 1 = 1) | ||
| Relay Team (5) | ||
| 16. | Lamar High School | 15 |
| Adam Montoya (S 10 = 10) | ||
| Zeke Aguilera-Ybarra (D 5 = 5) | ||
| 18. | Rye High School | 14 |
| Jake Van (LJ 10 = 10) | ||
| Relay Team (2) | ||
| Ty Van Oort (D 1 + S 1 = 2) | ||
| 18. | Highland High School | 14 |
| Josh Lenhardt (S 6 = 6) | ||
| Michael Keever (D 8 = 8) | ||
| 18. | University High School | 14 |
| Lucas Navarro (S 8 = 8) | ||
| Relay Team (2) | ||
| Sam Rhoton (400m 4 = 4) | ||
| 18. | Aspen High School | 14 |
| Luke Hemming (100m 10 + 200m 4 = 14) | ||
| 22. | St. Mary`s High School | 13.5 |
| Dylan Hoshijo (100m 3.5 + 200m 3 = 6.5) | ||
| Jordan Cruz (110H 4 = 4) | ||
| Relay Team (3) | ||
| 23. | Weld Central Senior High School | 12.67 |
| Alex Nadow (HJ 6.33 = 6.33) | ||
| Nathan Nadow (HJ 6.33 = 6.33) | ||
| 24. | Eaton High School | 11 |
| Brandon Fritz (1600m 1 = 1) | ||
| Gunnar Haynes (HJ 10 = 10) | ||
| 25. | Monte Vista Senior High School | 10 |
| Kristjian Malouff (D 10 = 10) | ||
| 26. | Florence High School | 9 |
| Anthony Erps (110H 5 + 300H 4 = 9) | ||
| 27. | Machebeuf (Bishop) High School | 7.5 |
| Devon White (100m 3.5 + 200m 1 = 4.5) | ||
| Evan Mckague (S 3 = 3) | ||
| 27. | Buena Vista High School | 7.5 |
| Josh Graner (HJ 3 + TJ 4.5 = 7.5) | ||
| 29. | Pagosa Springs High School | 7 |
| Taylor Shaffer (400m 2 = 2) | ||
| Willie Wilkins (100m 5 = 5) | ||
| 30. | Salida High School | 6 |
| Josh Noriega (3200m 6 = 6) | ||
| 30. | Colorado Springs Christian School | 6 |
| Relay Team (4) | ||
| Sam Marsh (LJ 1 = 1) | ||
| Seth Wilson (PV 0.5 = 0.5) | ||
| Thad Hocking (PV 0.5 = 0.5) | ||
| 32. | Yuma High School | 3.5 |
| Shane Terrell (PV 3.5 = 3.5) | ||
| 33. | Valley High School | 3 |
| Derek Schneider (800m 3 = 3) | ||
| 33. | Hotchkiss High School | 3 |
| Relay Team (3) | ||
| 35. | Dolores Huerta Preparatory School | 2 |
| Elijah Cuadrado (TJ 2 = 2) | ||
| 35. | Coal Ridge High School | 2 |
| Colby Fauser (200m 2 = 2) | ||
| 35. | Grand Valley High School | 2 |
| Jared Tonder (110H 2 = 2) |
3A Girls
Perhaps the biggest mystery in the 3A ranks concerns how the considerable talents of a few individuals will be represented at the state meet. Samantha Berggren, Lindsey Hubbard, and Emily LaValley each appear, counting relays, in more than four events in the team rankings shown below. That implies some decision-making for their coaches and some windows of opportunity for other competitors. It will be interesting to see how these event selections play out.
Another factor that could come into play is the fact that 3A Region 1 (Colorado Springs and points southeast, essentially) is logjammed in numerous events, including especially the hurdle and distance events. Several girls who currently show as scoring in these rankings may not even make it to state unless they achieve prequalifying marks in their events. This phenomenon is also present, though to a more limited extent, in the sprint events.
While The Classical Academy currently dominates the team scoring overall, Cedaredge is clearly a program on the rise, and nowhere more so than in the sprints. Look for the Bruins to make a lot of noise at state. As Rachel Hinker's return to full-speed work continues, look for Lyons to rise in the team rankings as well. Traditional 2A powers Akron and Limon will have some serious company next spring when Lyons drops back down to 2A.
Calculated as of April 23, 2010
These rankings were calculated by scoring the rankings as a meet. We took the individual rankings and relay rankings and scored them as a normal meet: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.
| 1. | Classical Academy, The | 152 |
| Alexa Chacon (100H 2 + 300H 2 = 4) | ||
| Alyssa Northam (TJ 2 = 2) | ||
| Elena Roy (100H 4 + 300H 5 = 9) | ||
| Emily LaValley (1600m 10 + 300H 8 + 3200m 10 + 800m 10 = 38) | ||
| Kaitlin Hanenburg (1600m 8 + 3200m 8 + 800m 6 = 22) | ||
| Meredith Sloan (800m 2 = 2) | ||
| Nicole Sassaman (400m 5 = 5) | ||
| Noelle Brown (HJ 8 = 8) | ||
| Relay Team (28) | ||
| Samantha Reid (100m 5 + 200m 8 = 13) | ||
| Shannon Harrell (400m 6 = 6) | ||
| Shelby Stableford (1600m 6 + 3200m 6 = 12) | ||
| Tita Garcia (S 3 = 3) | ||
| 2. | Cedaredge High School | 56.5 |
| Jheri Gates (HJ 3.5 = 3.5) | ||
| Rachelle Litsheim (100m 2 = 2) | ||
| Relay Team (29) | ||
| Shelby Crosby (D 2 = 2) | ||
| Sierra Williams (100m 10 + 200m 10 = 20) | ||
| 3. | Middle Park High School | 51.24 |
| Cheyenne Hickox (100H 3 = 3) | ||
| Elsa Krieg (S 4 = 4) | ||
| Katy Mulligan (PV 7 = 7) | ||
| Kelly Allen (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| Lihla Clancy (PV 4 = 4) | ||
| Meghan Allen (PV 0.6 = 0.6) | ||
| Quincey Pedersen (HJ 3.5 = 3.5) | ||
| Samantha Berggren (100m 1 + 1600m 4 + 200m 6 + 400m 10 + 800m 8 = 29) | ||
| 4. | Valley High School | 48 |
| Lindsey Hubbard (200m 4 + 300H 10 + 400m 8 = 22) | ||
| Michaela Odenbaugh (300H 4 = 4) | ||
| Relay Team (22) | ||
| 5. | Eaton High School | 47 |
| Beth Jones (LJ 5 + TJ 10 = 15) | ||
| Karli Jelden (D 1 + PV 7 = 8) | ||
| Paitton Heltenberg (TJ 4 = 4) | ||
| Relay Team (16) | ||
| Taylor Hale (PV 4 = 4) | ||
| 6. | Lyons High School | 43.89 |
| Corbette Tschanz (PV 10 = 10) | ||
| Dana Arling (PV 0.6 = 0.6) | ||
| Jesse Montross (300H 3 + HJ 0.14 = 3.14) | ||
| Melissa Roberts (1600m 2 + 3200m 2 = 4) | ||
| Nola Basey (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| Rachel Hinker (100m 8 + LJ 8 = 16) | ||
| Relay Team (10) | ||
| 7. | Colorado Springs Christian School | 38.5 |
| Becca Bultje (100H 5 = 5) | ||
| Relay Team (11) | ||
| Tiffany Kenney (100H 8 + HJ 3.5 + LJ 10 = 21.5) | ||
| Tori Cox (100H 1 = 1) | ||
| 8. | Brush High School | 35 |
| Alicia Nichols (LJ 6 = 6) | ||
| Ashley Araujo (400m 1 = 1) | ||
| Christine Dreitz (D 8 = 8) | ||
| Rebecca Walker (D 6 = 6) | ||
| Relay Team (11) | ||
| Sarah Goss (800m 3 = 3) | ||
| 9. | Coal Ridge High School | 28 |
| Ashlie Bowles (LJ 3 = 3) | ||
| Chelyn McCain (100H 10 + 300H 6 = 16) | ||
| Relay Team (9) | ||
| 10. | Dolores Huerta Preparatory School | 20 |
| Megan Patterson (D 10 + S 10 = 20) | ||
| 11. | Erie High School | 19.74 |
| Jordan Dane (TJ 1 = 1) | ||
| Nicole Hulet (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| Relay Team (18) | ||
| Taryn Lee (PV 0.6 = 0.6) | ||
| 12. | James Irwin Charter High School | 19 |
| Icenia Anderson (100m 3 + 200m 5 = 8) | ||
| Kasey Jones (200m 2 + 400m 3 = 5) | ||
| Relay Team (6) | ||
| 12. | Pagosa Springs High School | 19 |
| Gabby Pajak (LJ 1 + TJ 5 = 6) | ||
| Megan Bryant (S 1 = 1) | ||
| Toni Stoll (LJ 4 + TJ 8 = 12) | ||
| 14. | St. Mary`s High School | 16 |
| Kara Slavoski (1600m 5 + 3200m 5 + 800m 5 = 15) | ||
| Sydney Harris (1600m 1 = 1) | ||
| 15. | Bayfield High School | 13.5 |
| Myra Dean (HJ 8 = 8) | ||
| Relay Team (5.5) | ||
| 16. | Estes Park High School | 12 |
| Kim Hansen (400m 2 + 800m 4 = 6) | ||
| Relay Team (6) | ||
| 16. | Grand Valley High School | 12 |
| Brandi Krieg (1600m 3 + 3200m 4 + 400m 4 + 800m 1 = 12) | ||
| 18. | Holy Family High School | 11.5 |
| Alexis Gerry (D 4 = 4) | ||
| Rachel Anderson (300H 1 = 1) | ||
| Relay Team (6.5) | ||
| 19. | Denver Lutheran High School | 11.14 |
| Relay Team (11) | ||
| Taylor Sturms (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| 20. | Florence High School | 8.5 |
| Cortlyne Huppe (HJ 3.5 = 3.5) | ||
| Relay Team (5) | ||
| 21. | Weld Central Senior High School | 8.14 |
| Bailey Batchelor (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| Kali Wolaver (S 8 = 8) | ||
| 22. | Olathe High School | 8 |
| Kendal Lorentzen (HJ 8 = 8) | ||
| 23. | Platte Valley High School | 7 |
| Rachel Moralez (100m 4 + 200m 3 = 7) | ||
| 23. | Peak to Peak Charter School | 7 |
| Khadijah Sayyid (100m 6 + 200m 1 = 7) | ||
| 25. | Faith Christian High School | 6 |
| Adrienne Lettow (S 6 = 6) | ||
| 25. | Monte Vista Senior High School | 6 |
| Brooke Claunch (TJ 6 = 6) | ||
| 25. | Hotchkiss High School | 6 |
| Cece Pieper (100H 6 = 6) | ||
| 28. | Gunnison High School | 5.6 |
| Emera Danos (PV 0.6 = 0.6) | ||
| Lisa Lucas (S 5 = 5) | ||
| 29. | Highland High School | 5 |
| Molley Patrick (D 5 = 5) | ||
| 30. | Platte Canyon High School | 4 |
| Sydney Seifert (PV 4 = 4) | ||
| 31. | University High School | 3.14 |
| Cassie Bratton (HJ 0.14 = 0.14) | ||
| Lisa Fraser (TJ 3 = 3) | ||
| 32. | Discovery Canyon High School | 3 |
| Allie Morgan (3200m 3 = 3) | ||
| 32. | Manitou Springs High School | 3 |
| Serina Benight (D 3 = 3) | ||
| 32. | Lamar High School | 3 |
| Relay Team (1) | ||
| Shelby Baker (S 2 = 2) | ||
| 35. | Legend High School | 2 |
| Alexis Pappas (LJ 2 = 2) | ||
| 36. | Salida High School | 1 |
| Kaiti Davis (3200m 1 = 1) | ||
| 37. | Yuma High School | 0.6 |
| Katie Crossland (PV 0.6 = 0.6) |