Always Dangerous on Relays: Glenwood's 4x100 relay team will be looking to defend their 2010 state title. Photo by Alan Versaw.
For a couple of years now, Glenwood Springs has been knocking on the door. Maybe this is the year the door opens. If it doesn't open, it won't be for lack of returning talent. Blake Risner's crew is loaded--and experienced. Assuming they can stay healthy, "loaded and experienced" is a dangerous combination to bring to state.
The heart of the Glenwood program always seems to be relays. That much doesn't figure to change for 2010. And, with the current rankings system, it's relatively easy for a team with as much talent as Glenwood Springs to advance its relays to state. What isn't so easy is parceling that talent out between relays and individual events to maximum advantage at the actual state meet.
The biggest weapons for the Demons appear to be senior Jolie Dubois (sprints, see cover photo) and junior Madi Goodstein (hurdles). Dubois placed in both the 100 and 200 last spring, while Goodstein scored in the 300 hurdles, but missed advancing in the 100 hurdles. And the Demons never seem to be dependent on just one or two to get the job done.
Kristy Moore (hurdles), a senior, and Michaela Mansfield (middle distance--6th in the 800 last spring), a junior, should both be capable of scoring state meet points. A few others may be able to contribute individual points as well.
And then there would be the relays... Last year, Glenwood Springs put their eggs in the 4x100 and 4x400 baskets. The strategy worked well, with both relays notching state titles. The 3:54.73 posted by the 4x400 team is a superior mark in any high school meet. The 4x800 team added a fifth place. The 800 sprint medley and 4x200 failed to advance to finals. But, you get the point--you simply do not want to be going into the final event of the state meet leading Glenwood by a couple of points.
Comparatively speaking, Glenwood Springs has struggled a little in the field events. A strong run at a state title would be enhanced by the contribution of a few points from the throwers and jumpers. Theresa Gabriel, last year's top jumper, has departed by way of graduation, so it's not apparent at this stage where those points might emerge from.
If you want to follow the Demons' progress this spring, you'll mostly need to watch for results from over the Continental Divide. The Demons did make two trips through the big tunnel to meets on the Front Range last spring. If they do that again this spring, it will definitely be worth watching how they fare against the Front Range competition. The Demons' own invitational in April tends to be a major showcase event for this team.