Midweek Review: Tying Off the Weekend's Loose Ends

El Paso County Small Schools Championship

I'm not sure what it means and Coach Mike Caton isn't telling me (actually, I'm not asking, either--I enjoy the intrigue and it would spoil it all if he did tell me), but Tiffany Kenney stepped to the line and ran a 59.23 400. That has the potential to confuse a few things at the 3A level. For good measure, Kenney and teammate Tori Cox send another message in the 100 hurdles. Figure there's likely to be two yellow singlets in center lanes at the 3A 100 meter hurdle finals.

For those wondering, TCA made this meet something of an 800 and 1600 meter fest. Since it was a last meet of the season for several athletes, our entries in the laned events were mostly devoted to those athletes. Unlimited entries in the 800 and 1600 gave us an opportunity to let several athletes take a shot at running longer distances. And some did very well. Most don't want to make a habit of running the 800, however.

Greeley Central Late Season Invitational

Most postponed meets take a serious hit in terms of attendance. Either this one was a monster meet to begin with or it didn't take much of a hit. Lots of people were happy Greeley Central HS made this one happen.

Among the happiest were Allie Parks, who posted a very nice 11:06 in the 3200. This is, by far, the best track season yet for Parks.

Eaton's Mel Herl looks like a better thrower almost every meet she goes to. Her curve of improvement is a big part of the reason Eaton has quietly become a serious contender in 3A girls. And, speaking of Eaton, I'm not sure if a brother-sister duo have ever been crowned state champions in the same year, but Gunnar and Ryleigh Haynes are taking aim at exactly that distinction. Although this writer has some serious skin in the 3A sweepstakes, it's hard to root against something like that happening.

Joe Shields Invitational

For those who follow the throwing events closely, take note that Clint Myers of Salida is back in the shot put ring. I'm guessing this means that post-season wrestling is done for Myers and he is now hot in pursuit of defending his 3A shot put title. In any case, he's off to a good start.

Mostly, however, it doesn't appear as if conditions were very favorable for a track meet in Kremmling on Monday.

Montezuma-Cortez Invitational

This isn't likely to be the year it happens, but don't be surprised if Ignacio's Adam Herrera completes a 100/200/400 sweep in 2A before he graduates. He didn't run the 400 at this meet (though he has run it at other meets), but the Bobcat freshman did sweep the 100 and 200 at this meet. A lot can happen to an athlete over the course of a high school career, but he stays the course and keeps working, Herrera looks like one who can have a great high school career.

Cortez's Max Demby continues to have a nice year in the long jump. And, the 6-3 posted by Mancos's Kenny Philpot should be enough to warrant some 2A high jump attention.

YW County Area Prequalifier

It was all 1A and 2A schools at this meet. The northeast Colorado schools seem to shrink on a yearly basis, but there are still some great track and field programs among them.

Although Elbert is a long haul from Yuma, Elbert and hurdler Logan Franek showed up. Franek's efforts were rewarded with two hurdle titles. Akron's girls relays are hitting on all cylinders, but Sedgwick County did slip in a bit of an upset in the 4x100. Makenzie Ault continues to impress.

On the boys' side, nobody will be surprised to learn that Wray won three of four relays. In fact, if there is any surprise there, it's that they didn't win all four. Yuma bested them in the 4x400, however. Shane Terrell's 13-3 pole vault mark gets a few raised eyebrows. For good measure, he won the triple jump as well. At the very least, Yuma will create some consternation for the 2A powers this spring. Yuma is the kind of team that can mess up the points you hoped you were getting in several events.