Celia Smith

Corissa Guynes completed her high school career with a bundle of 1A hurdles titles. Colorado Track XC file photo.

If you are looking for unsung heroes in Shining Mountain's state championship story, look no further than Paisley Sheehan. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Clay Russell keeps Idalia's Erick Enriquez-Acosta in second place around the third turn. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Taylor Alexander rose to the occasion to reset her own 1A state meet record, a few times over. Photo by Tim Hilt.

Things have gone a little topsy-turvy since we last visited 1A girls. We're still seeing the same five teams at the top, but not in the same order. That's what a couple more weeks of competition will do for you.

Gateway's Mike Ware introduced himself to the Highlands Ranch Memorial crowd with a big win in the 200 meters. Photo by Alan Versaw.

This installment completes our first round of Colorado Track XC top 5 articles. Another round will follow, but not two more rounds. At the rate these are rolling out, I should be able to finish the second set during league meet week. Which, of course, would take us right up to state. And, after state, there's nothing more to discuss or speculate over.

One of the better spectacles of the weekend was Dior Hall and Shayna Yon battling in the Mullen Runners Roost 100. But there were plenty more spectacles to be had. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Tyler Trout wasn't throwing the shot put 54-7 when this photo was taken, but he is now. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Ashlyn Hare is one of the state's best high jumpers, but reaching the top of 5A is going to be an ordeal this spring. Colorado Track XC file photo.

Between them, Ginger Hutton, Taylor Alexander, Corissa Guynes, and Rachel Rairdon have a lot of potential to help their respective teams to state titles this spring. Photos by Alan Versaw and Paul Jaeger.

Kimberly Peterson readies for an attempt at last year's state meet. Photo by Jeff McCoy.

Heritage Christian Academy's Rachel and Rebekah Rairdon threaten to upset the order of things in 1A girls next spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Holly's Manuel Tarango battled down the finish straight of the 800 with Clay Russell of North Park, and both ended up as all-state selections. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Zac McCoy battled Alex Mead down the straight of the 4A 200, taking not only the state title but setting a new state meet record in the process. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Taylor Alexander goes to 10-4 to win the 1A girls pole vault. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Taylor Alexander is one of the reasons Vail Christian is among the team favorites heading into the 1A state meet. Photo by David Pressgrove.

Corissa Guynes provides a measure of experience to a Dove Creek team that has enjoyed a very nice first month of track and field competition. Photo by Paul Jaeger.