Pueblo – Carlee Morgan of Gunnison got what she wanted at the Class 3A state track and field championships Saturday at Dutch Clark Stadium.
On her second pole vault attempt, Morgan cleared the 11-foot, 1-inch mark, setting a 3A girls state record. She tried three times at 11-6, but couldn’t duplicate the high arch that set the record.
“It was pretty cool,” the 16-year old Gunnison sophomore said of the record.
“I couldn’t tell how far I cleared the bar, but it felt so great. I was pretty winded on my last three tries. But the record was what I came for and now I have the next two years.”
While Morgan could talk of the record performance, team honors went to the Faith Christian boys and The Classical Academy girls.
Faith Christian had 95 points behind the second record performance of the meet by Ian Lettow, who set a 3A boys record in the shot put of 58-4 1/2 in Friday’s competition before setting a record Saturday in the discus at 177-5. It was the Eagles’ first track title since 1992.
“We had a big contingent of seniors that pulled together to make it happen,” Eagles coach Keith Bushaw said. “We lose 12 all together, but we have some up-and-coming talent on the way.”
Faith Christian’s victory was keyed by winning performances by Graham Yantis in the long jump and triple jump.
The location of The Classical Academy might not be known by all around the state, but the Titans got on the map with their first track championship, scoring 55 points. The school is located east of the Air Force Academy.
“A great group of seniors were able to put it together for us,” coach Tim Daggett said. “It all came together here at the state meet.”
Emily Hanenburg set a state record for the Titans in the 800 meters of 2 minutes, 14.77 seconds in Friday’s competition. The Classical Academy’s 4 x 400 girls relay team also collected first-place points.
Abby Weedor of Denver Christian also set a 3A girls record Friday in the triple jump at 38-1.
Irv Moss can be reached on 303 820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
