Malik McKinney comes back as 4A's top-ranked 100 and 200 meter runner. Enough said. Photo by Alan Versaw.
Honestly, tabbing Mullen as a track team to watch is something of a no-brainer. It's a little like picking Duke to have a good basketball team. There are some things that we all understand are going to happen. And this is one of them.
But, Mullen is going to have to lean heavily on a short list of established talent because there doesn't appear to be much waiting in the wings (though that scenario has a way of changing).
Specifically, if you rank the 4A boys returnees for this spring 15 deep in every event, exactly three Mullen names pop up on those lists (assuming what I've heard about Colorado Academy's Nick Taylor running for a school other than Mullen this spring is correct).
You have Malik McKinney who won last spring's state 100 (10.86, -1.9) and finished second in the 200 (22.19, +1.9). You have Cyler Miles who finished sixth at state in the 100 but did not compete in the 200 at state. And, you have Rayshon Williams who had a very forgettable state meet in the long jump but still ranks as one of the best long jumpers in the 4A classification.
Of course, there's a big asterisk beside the name of Rayshon Williams. His status as a blue chip football recruit may have some impact on his status as a track and field athlete this spring. I have no inside scoop on that story, I'm merely noting that there's possibly a story to be told.
Assuming Williams does long jump, and McKinney and Miles have standout seasons in the sprints, the individual points these three can put on the board at state aren't going to be enough to win the 4A classification. Simply stated, Mullen needs help. Not that help ever seems to be far away for the Mustangs; there is always something in the pipeline.
Mullen finished second last spring in the 4x100 and seems a likely candidate to finish at least that high again this spring. Given Mullen's sprint talent, you have to figure this relay will be an ace in this year's deck.
What Mullen doesn't appear able to count on this year is the 4x800 finish they had last year. Last spring's 4x800 was largely fueled by talent like Hondo Katz, Alec Blubaum, and Nick Taylor--talent that won't be wearing the blue and gold this spring.
Traditionally, Mullen has middle distance talent. Traditionally, Mullen has pole vault talent. Traditionally, Mullen can hurt you in a lot of ways. If that tradition is taking a siesta this spring, there will be a lot of teams happy to fill the vacuum. But don't get too excited yet. Better to wait a while and see what develops.
Like Duke, Mullen is always dangerous--just more dangerous some years than others.
