LITTLETON — Kenneth Chambers’ win in the 100 meters at the Liberty Bell Invitational on Saturday doesn’t mean he is a state champion.
But it means he defeated one.
The Doherty junior edged reigning state champ Jordan Edwards of Heritage by a narrow margin at Littleton Public Schools Stadium — 10.73 to 10.74 — giving the Central Arizona College-bound Edwards something to think about when he defends his title next month.
“It feels good, but it’s kind of just another race,” said Chambers, who also edged Edwards 21.77 to 21.88 in the 200 meters and capped his day with a win in the triple jump. “We’re building up to state. That’s the big one I’m preparing for.”
Edwards darted to an immediate lead in the 100 and maintained it to the halfway point, but Chambers, who finished third in the event at state last season, closed with a flurry to win by a nose. His three first-place finishes helped Doherty win the boys team title with 66 points.
The girls’ 100 also was decided by a hundredth of a second, but this was less stressful. That’s because each of the top finishers was from Cherry Creek.
Senior Olivia Heaston edged junior teammate Rachel Opgenorth 12.84 to 12.85, fitting for runners who consider themselves equal in ability after regularly running together.
“It kind of depends on the day and how we’re each feeling, but we are always close to each other in terms of time,” said Heaston, who will run at Wyoming next season. “I would have been happy for her if she would have won, too, but I’m just glad we both placed well.”
Heaston and Opgenorth helped the Bruins to the girls team title, as their 77.5 points provided a comfortable margin over second-place Chaparral’s 62.
Additional performances of note included Smoky Hill’s boys field team, with marquee pole vaulter Chase Cooper clearing 16 feet and Mark Sparks finishing first in the discus (177 feet, 6 inches) and shot put (55-6). Their efforts helped the Buffaloes finish second with 61 points.
Northglenn hurdler Cory Engel, who will be a definite favorite at the state meet, won the 300 hurdles and finished second to Sierra’s Kelby Dias in the 110 hurdles.
