Week in Review: Last of the Invitationals

1A Invitational Track Meet

Lloyd Gaskill field has seen a lot of track. Back in the day (and that day 34 years ago), I ran there at what was then the 1A state track and field championship. It was a well-used facility even then. All that to say that the stadium records at Gaskill field are mostly a pretty storied set of marks.

It so happens that three of those storied marks fell this past weekend. Landry Cogburn's 39.01 broke a stadium record that had stood for 26 years. Daniel Weirich went for the duece, breaking a shot put record that had stood for 38 years with a throw of 56-8.5, plus breaking the discus record set just last year with a throw of 163-9. Eads, however, must have gotten a special pass to compete in this meet as they are officially competing in 2A this spring for purposes of the state meet.

Walsh was followed by Springfield, continuing a season-long pattern, for the boys' title, while Haxtun edged Otis for the girls' title. There are definitely some local pockets of power in the opening year of 1A track and field.

Battle Mountain Husky Invitational

I'm sure some of you are growing weary of me writing about Zach and Taylor Browning and, lately, Andrew Proebstle every week. But, I tell you, it keeps getting better. These guys would be competitive in any meet, any classification, and they keep butting heads week after week after week. Let's hope there's still that same fire in their bellies for the state meet so we all can see the show. The 3A 400 meter record is definitely in site. Their 100s and 200s aren't bad, either.

Ashlyn Gruber of Vail Christian is marking herself as a favorite among 1A 400 and 800 meter runners.

Cedaredge Bruin Invitational

Things were surprisingly quiet in this meet. Perhaps because the meet was on a Friday with another Friday option (Grand Junction Tiger) and another Saturday option (Eagle Valley) on the western slope.

In terms of new marks with big state meet implications, there really weren't any. Not to imply at all that there weren't teams and athletes present that will have a big impact on the state meet. Just to say there appears to be no new news coming out of this meet. So, since I'm crunched for time, I'll just move on to the next meet...

Cheyenne Wells Tiger Invitational

As you will see, Landry Cogburn and Daniel Weirich were doing double meet duty this week. I'm guessing they punched some major holes in the meet records for this one, too. Landry wasn't the only Cogburn winning events, however. Younger sister Heidi did her part as well with the long jump and 400.

Take note that Tobin Mettling is running some nice sprint times for Burlington. It's going to take a ton to overhaul all the 2A competitors, but big things start with little steps.

Just for the record, Karval seems to produce an inordinate number of jumpers for a tiny school you have to look real hard for to find on a map. Taylor Russell is the latest poster child for Jumps High School, winning the high jump at 6-0 and the long jump at 21-9 (wind legal). That's worth a little bit of electronic ink!

Doherty Spartan Invitational

Did this one ever produce some big marks!

Alexis Cooks tossed a 155-3 in the discus. Kaela Edwards 2:09.05 in the 800. Iris Hardarson 56.51 in the 400. Boris Berian 47.58 in the 400. There were more. Check out the article linked below. Or check out the videos!

Eaton Fightin' Red Invitational

If you're keeping track of this sort of thing, Courtney Mills just set a new 3A all-time triple jump record at 38-3.25. Lindsey Chavez of Holy Family thrust her name into the 3A 3200 sweepstakes with a sub-12 mark. Tony Ball had a very nice 11.25 in the 100 to move himself up a few notches in the rankings. Berthoud's girls' 4x200 scored a few state intimidation points with a 1:45.38--and that was done without Courtney Mills. Eaton's boys sprint relays are warming up to the challenges ahead. Ashley Atkin served notice that the road to the 4A 400 title goes through Fleming.

All in all, it was a very productive small school meet. No doubt lots of teams left happy about their performances in this one.

Grand Junction Tiger Invitational

Year in and year out, this is the best meet on the western slope. When you get significant numbers of Front Range schools heading over with plenty of good meets available on their own side of the mountain, you know this meet has something special.

Special as in Brandi Krieg winning the 1600 in 5:09.99. Be sure to catch the 3A state 1600; it should be a dandy. Special as in Annie Kunz winning four events with her usual great marks (100H, 300H, HJ, TJ). Special as in an Eric Shellhorn/Alfredo Lebron duel in the 1600 with Shellhorn winning in 4:23.47. Special as in Ty Williams breaking Ray Harvey's old 2A record in the 3200 with a 9:33.72. If you don't know who Ray Harvey is, do a web search and be sure to look through old state cross country results on this site along your way.

Highlands Ranch Memorial Invitational

Don't look now, but some of that help Highlands Ranch needed to become a serious 5A girls state title contender is arriving. Will it be enough? Stay tuned. Two weeks and we find out. And, while the 5A girls 4x400 is starting to look very deep, don't be too quick to dismiss Ponderosa's chances in that event.

John Martin Invitational

Some very nice marks at a small, but nice, collection of strong track and field programs. Kailie Hartman isn't likely to win the 5A 1600, but she is likely to bring in some very critical points for Loveland in that event. Valentina Pauna continues a nice pole vault season. Jordan Rand and Kelsey English get some very nice jump marks in for Doherty.

Lewis-Palmer Invitational

If you were wondering what the Liberty girls 4x800 has this year, check the mark below. It was essentially a solo effort, as well. Liberty's 4x800 aside, this was mostly a smaller school meet. One somewhat surprising upset was Caitlyn Hubbard of Limon beating Tiffany Kenney in the 100 hurdles. Mark that one down as a big day in Limon track and field (a school that already has more than it's share of big days). Ty Van Oort topped 50 feet in the shot put for a new season-best mark for the thrower in the Rye.

Ray Headley Invitational

If you want a preview of who to look for in 1A boys middle distance, check out Tyler Barela's 800 and 1600 marks from this meet. He should be a favorite in both fields. Similarly, look for Fowler's Brooke Grissom to make some small-school distance noise in two weeks.

St. Vrain Invitational

This was a great meet, but we've more or less come to expect this from the St. Vrain Invitational. This list of outstanding marks is too long to enumerate. I refer you to the article and to videos. The girls team in white singlets and red shorts is Loveland. Get to know them--well. Maybe the best video to watch is the girls 800.

And, no less than five all-time 2A marks were set in this meet. It helps that the Akron relays and Rachel Hinker were present. Between them, they accounted for all five.

Terry Alley Invitational

One day after he lost the 3A discus lead to Derek McCartney, Kristjian Mauloff got it back. Mauloff, apparently, is a little possessive of that honor. Should be a good contest at state.

Speaking of good contests at state, I don't know if anyone can reign in Courtney Mills in the 3A triple jump, but a couple of young jumpers, Gabby Pajak and Toni Stoll, from Pagosa have as good a chance as anyone. The 3A girls triple is anything but a weak event this year. Pajak and Stoll are apparently also pretty good 4x400 legs.

Under the category of "good to see you back," Eric Lewis was running the 800 and 4x800 for Mancos.

Thomas Jefferson Twilight II

Dior Hall continues to amaze/impress/stun in the 100 hurdles. Will we see 13.5 with a little state adrenaline? Come and see to find out.

Lots of very solid marks here, but a special shout out to Montbello's Kordell Deffebaugh who put himself into the thick of things in the 5A 200 and 400 with marks posted at this meet. The 200 field, especially, figures to be a tough one this spring.

Thornton Last-Chance Meet

Good to see that Fairview's Ben Meyer is back on the track. There's ground to make up, but also hopefully time to do it.