In an individual sport like track and field, rivalries tend to sneak up instead of brewing over seasons as they do in team sports.
See last season’s Colorado high school state track meet for an example. Sprinting wunderkind Jeremy Rankin of Overland, then a sophomore, set a state record in the 100 meters at 10.32 seconds. But East’s Dominick Roberts sneaked up and upset Rankin in the 200.
All of a sudden, a rivalry was born. That’s where things stand now, with the still-fresh regular season running through May 3. Add in Michael Hancock of George Washington, the defending 110 hurdles champion, and the sprint events could get interesting again at the state meet May 16-17.
It will be these sprinters, among others, who essentially will decide the team titles as part of the sprint relay squads.
Rankin surfaced over three consecutive weeks in January at open collegiate indoor meets. In the third meet, he outraced former CU running back Hugh Charles and Buffs sprinter Jeremy Dodson, a George Washington graduate. It was Dodson’s 100 state record that Rankin broke last May.
Rankin’s 6.64 time in the 60 meters Jan. 12 bolted him to the best time in the nation among prep sprinters.
Beyond the January flurry, things have been quiet since last spring. The state’s best jumpers all graduated, leaving a void in the pits. But Salida junior Mason Finley, owner of the state’s best discus toss last year, returns to set the bar. The distance titles, too, are vacant.
Robinette returns
Without many returning bigwigs — seven of the best eight running times last season were clocked by since-graduated seniors — the girls track and field scene is looking for a star.
Turn your eyes to Class 2A.
Shaylee Robinette, a Crowley County senior, is the defending champion in four events — the 100, 200, 400 and triple jump. She also won three titles her sophomore season. Seven titles in two years, with a chance for adding to the collection this season, have Robinette gaining steam.
After the state meet last season, Robinette told The Denver Post, “More records will be my goal next year.”
For the elite, only Greeley West’s Kendra Clark, the 1,600 champion last season, returns in running events.
The field events, though, have plenty of star power. Rampart senior Kelli Ehardt set the state pole vault record at 13 feet last May. She’ll try to top her standard this spring.
Also returning after tallying top marks last season: Heritage’s Morgan Sedivec (shot put), Palmer’s Karen Wyatt (discus) and Fort Collins’ Emmalie Pfankuch (long jump).
Schedule
Regular season: Through May 3.Postseason: Regionals, May 7-10; state meet, May 16-17, 5A-4A at Jefferson County Stadium, 3A-2A at Dutch Clark Stadium (Pueblo).
Returning state champions
BOYS
Class 5A: Michael Hancock, George Washington, Sr., 110 hurdles; Steve Kasica, Fruita Monument, Sr., 800; Jeremy Rankin, Overland, Jr., 100; Dominick Roberts, East, Sr., 200 and 400. Class 4A: Keenan Ballage, Falcon, Sr., 100; Matt Butcher, Longmont, Sr., 200 and 400; Kelby Dias, Sierra, Jr., 110 hurdles and 300 hurdles; Ken Harriman, Pueblo South, Jr., shot put; Zach Little, Mesa Ridge, Sr., long jump; Erik Sutterfield, Rock Canyon, Sr., pole vault; Mykal Torres, Mesa Ridge, Sr., triple jump; Kevin Williams, D’Evelyn, Sr., 1,600 and 3,200. Class 3A: Aaron Alarcon, Roosevelt, Jr., 1,600; Mason Finley, Salida, Jr., shot put and discus; Cody Russell, Basalt, Sr., 100 and 200; Corey Spahn, Roosevelt, Sr., 300 hurdles; Trevor Waliszewski, The Classical Academy, Sr., 3,200. Class 2A: Dan Baer, Dayspring Christian, Sr., 110 hurdles; Victor Montoya, Rocky Ford, Jr., 1,600; Miguel Narez, Swink, Sr., shot put; Andrew Roberts, Lyons, Jr., 3,200; Chris Villagomez, Center, Sr., 800.
GIRLS
Class 5A: Kelli Ehardt, Rampart, Sr., pole vault; Emmalie Pfankuch, Fort Collins, Sr., long jump; Morgan Sedivec, Heritage, Sr., shot put; Karen Wyatt, Palmer, Sr., discus. Class 4A: Emily Blok, Conifer, Jr., 100 and 200; Kendra Gerk, Greeley West, Sr., 1,600 and 3,200; Liz Johnson, Fossil Ridge, Sr., shot put and discus; Brooke Regan, Thompson Valley, Jr., 800; Ashley Rohweder, Eagle Valley, Sr., 300 hurdles; Elizabeth Stover, Longmont, Sr., pole vault; Kayla Wein, Broomfield, So., 100 hurdles. Class 3A: Annita Alvarez, Eaton, Jr., shot put; Katie Dreher, Salida, Sr., triple jump; Shannon Harrell, The Classical Academy, So., 400; Morgan Spencer, Yuma, Jr., discus; Margaret Weingart, Peak to Peak, Sr., 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles; Tacole Williams, Sheridan, Jr., 200. Class 2A: Brittany Brown, Sangre de Cristo, Sr., discus; Emma Coburn, Crested Butte Community, Sr., 800 and 1,600; Lindsey Grasmick, Fowler, Sr., 300 hurdles; Emily Hanna, Fountain Valley, Jr., 100 hurdles; Talli Hansen, Eads, Sr., shot put; Johanna Reed, Paonia, So., 3,200; Shaylee Robinette, Crowley County, Sr., 100, 200, 400 and triple jump; Morgan Witzel, Burlington, Sr., high jump; Kelly Yelverton, Lyons, Jr., pole vault.
Nick Groke: 303-954-1015 or ngroke@denverpost.com
