In a national event that is literally all over the place — tracks, fields, pits, runways — the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships can collect very specific dominating teams.
Take for instance the University of Colorado. There are 544 sprinters, hurdlers, jumpers and throwers in Des Moines, Iowa, for the final meet of the season. And just 12 of those athletes are Buffaloes.
But in the 26-deep field for the men’s 5,000-meter run, four are from Boulder — the highest concentration of single-school athletes in the distance events.
That, in short, is dominance.
The Buffs men, ranked No. 9 overall nationally, will field a 5,000 team that features senior and No. 1 seed Brent Vaughn, No. 3 Stephen Pifer, No. 8 Kenyon Neuman and No. 11 Richard Medina. Each of the four are in the top-half of the event field.
It was this group that helped lead CU to its first Big 8 or Big 12 title since 1947.
CU also has a No. 1 seed in the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase in Jenny Barringer and two men in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (Billy Nelson and Pete Janson) and one in the 10,000 (Chris Pannone). And the Buffs’ 400-meter relay team features Buffs running back Hugh Charles and state prep record-holder Jeremy Dodson.
But it will be in the distances that CU could make waves. LSU enters the meet ranked No. 1 overall, followed by Florida State and Texas A&M. But CU upset the Aggies in the Big 12 Championship meet, so there’s precedence for shocking again.
The teams began arriving at host Drake University on Thursday for the NCAA meet and will continue to invade Des Moines through the weekend until the meet kicks off Wednesday.
Race to the finish
What: NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships.
When: Wednesday through June 14. Where: Des Moines, Iowa.
Area athletes to watch: Colorado — Jenny Barringer, 3,000- meter steeplechase; Jeremy Dodson, 200 and 400 relay; Billy Nelson, 3,000 steeplechase; Pete Janson, 3,000 steeplechase; Brent Vaughn, 5,000; Stephen Pifer, 5,000; Kenyon Neuman, 5,000; Richard Medina, 5,000; Chris Pannone, 10,000; Hugh Charles, 400 relay; Nate Terry, 400 relay; Ryan Campbell, 400 relay. Colorado State — Janay DeLoach, 100 and long jump; Kristen Hemphill, 3,000 steeplechase; Niomi Ridge, high jump; Missy Faubus, shot put and discus; Emily Pearson, heptathlon; Katie Lloyd, heptathlon; Drew Morano, 400; Jason Schutz, discus and hammer; Kevin Johnson, decathlon. Air Force — Kevin Hawkins, 800; Nick Frawley, pole vault.
Other notable locals — Griffin Matthew (Niwot H.S.), Stanford, 100 and long jump; Celriece Law (Montbello), Tennessee, 100 hurdles; Talaya Owens (George Washington), Alabama, 400 hurdles. J.T. Scheuerman (Littleton), Baylor, 400 relay.
AROUND TOWN
Meet the new Boss, and others.
If there’s a word to describe the Broncos’ offseason since a disappointing 7-9 year in 2007 it would be “turnover.” As in, there are 39 new players for orange and blue superfans to memorize, idolize and otherwise stalk.
For those fans who haven’t yet figured out the difference between Boss and Moss, Mustard and Pears, Young and Gandy, this weekend’s Denver Broncos Fan Fair at Invesco Field runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Every player currently on the roster, and each coach, is scheduled to be there. There will be autograph sessions, photo ops, question-answer sessions, games and more. Oh, and a bunch of fun for kids, too. Check for more information.
STAY ON THE COUCH
It’s kind of like voting.
There are two schools of thought on the NBA Finals. Because of the retro nature of the Celtics-Lakers marquee matchups (Kobe vs. KG, etc.) that make the marketing department drool, the league has shoved the series down our throats. Apparently, the NBA will not let basketball fans simply enjoy the finals. Instead, we have to experience the historic nature of them. On the other hand, Sunday’s Game 2 in Boston, set for a 7 p.m. start on KMGH-7, will be on TV against absolutely nothing else. It’s either “Most Outrageous Moments” on NBC or the basketball game on ABC.
Easy choice.
GET OFF THE COUCH
“The Legend” signs off.
Arapahoe Basin was the first ski area in the country to open this season, when the mountain took on skiers and boarders in early October. It was also the earliest A-Basin has opened in its 61-year history. This weekend, A-Basin will be the final mountain to close in Colorado. After Sunday’s final day, more than 400,000 people will have used more than 367 inches of snowfall at the mountain. And while the snowpack has dwindled — c’mon, it’s June — there are several runs still open for die-hards and parties abound. Check for more information.
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
In the warm California sun.
While the Lakers are across the country in Boston for the NBA Finals, two Colorado teams will invade Los Angeles this weekend looking to steal some Southern California wins while no one there is looking. The Rapids take on the L.A. Galaxy for a Major League Soccer game on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. MT (airing on ALT). And the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse will face the L.A. Riptide on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (untelevised).
WE SEE THE NEAR FUTURE
Look into the crystal baseball.
The Rockies on Thursday picked southpaw Christian Friedrich with the 25th overall selection in the MLB draft. He was projected as the second-best left-handed pitcher in the draft. Unfortunately, the team didn’t immediately insert Friedrich into its struggling rotation. As it stands right now, he can’t be depreciably worse than some in the Rox rotation. But it’s possible he won’t be long in the minors. Last year’s top Rox pick, Casey Weathers, is cruising at Double-A Tulsa. The team’s first pick from two years ago, Greg Reynolds, is currently in their rotation.
