While several of the pieces of Wray's dominant boys team over the last two years have graduated, Jarret Cure is back. Photo by Alan Versaw.
2A Boys is going to be a tough little classification this spring. Wray will certainly have their hands full if they are to compete for a title, but this is a program rich in tradition and pride.
Last spring, Wray was one muffed exchange away from a state title. Luis Huerta and Kelly Siegrist graduated off that team. Their absences will be felt, but this is a long way from a team without any weapons.
Over the last few years, Wray has lived--and died, once--by the relay. Chances are they will go deep into the relay well again this year. Rare is the team that can dominate on individual talent alone. Last year, Wray won the 4x200 and 4x400, and finished third in the 4x800. Not a bad showing. They were set up well to win the 4x100 as well except for the fateful exchange. Nothing about that suggests a change in strategy this year.
Outside of the relays, however, there are a few young men who can score points--some of them in bunches--in individual events.
Jarret Cure would be the name that pops to the top of the list. Cure will enter the season as the #2 ranked 400 in 2A. If you follow eastern Colorado track and field, you know who #1 is and that little rivalry (I hope it's a friendly one) should get a lot of play this spring. Cure will also enter the season ranked #2 in 2A at 200 meters.
Not a bad start on a state title run, but more will be needed.
More comes in the form of 300 hurdler Jack Schwinn (41.35). Schwinn figures to do some relay duty as well, but expanding his individual event repertoire a little may produce some positive dividends for the Eagles.
Elsewhere, the hopes for piling up points at state have names like Coby Buck (discus), Derek Schulz (high jump and long jump), Jaden Valko (triple jump), plus Luke Kettleson and Ramon Tarin (middle distance). That's a fairly lengthy list of potential state scorers for a 2A school. Wray is definitely in position to make a run.
And here is one more thing you can count on from Wray--the program is well coached. Year in and year out, Wray gets more production out of the same kind of talent that every other 2A school has walking the hallways. Unlike many of those other schools, Wray gets that talent out for track in good numbers and then makes something special of it. That means you can expect a new name or two to be productive for Wray this spring. Solid coaching has a way of making that happen.