LAKEWOOD — A year ago, Jordan Edwards won his first state championship in the 5A boys 100 meters. However, that victory was considered tainted by some because the defending champion, Overland’s Jeremy Rankin, wasn’t in the race.
Rankin missed the 2008 state track and field championship because of injury, but he was back this year. It turned out, at least in Friday’s 200, it didn’t matter.
There’s no denying Edwards got his just due this time around. He got the victory that he’s been looking for to solidify last year’s championship.
Edwards, a senior from Heritage High, caught Rankin at the midway point and pulled away to score the win at Jefferson County Stadium in 21.15 seconds. Rankin was fourth in 21.63.
“I’m proud of it because maybe now I’ll get the props I deserve,” Edwards said.
“I just feel like the runners weren’t getting enough props because Jeremy wasn’t there,” Edwards added about last year’s meet. “Maybe last year that was the case, but he’s here now.”
Rankin, noted as a fast starter, got off to a quick start before Edwards caught him at the 100-meter mark and rolled on for his second state title in as many years. While Rankin was happy to be back on the state scene, he wasn’t happy with the result.
“It feels good, but it wasn’t what I wanted,” Rankin said.
Missing last year’s meet was a bitter pill, especially considering he was the defending champion in the 100 and a runner-up in the 200.
“It was real hard. I trained hard for this, and having to watch last year broke my heart,” Rankin said.
A 200 victory is now out of reach, but at least Rankin has an opportunity to reclaim the 100 title today. Edwards will be in the race as well. “It’s my only chance,” Rankin said.
Wes Rickman of Falcon had just one chance to win the 4A 3,200, but he made it look easy.
The senior pulled away from his teammate Kevin Johnson and a strong field midway through and won in 9:15.87. Wheat Ridge’s Dart Schwaderer placed second in 9:29.67.
While the finishing times said otherwise, Rickman said the race was tougher than it appeared to be. “Yeah, it can look easy, but it’s a lot harder than it looks,” Rickman said.
Nate Guthals knows something about running against strong competition. The Littleton senior entered Friday’s 5A 800 meter seeded ninth, but after taking the lead on the first lap, he held off a charging Rafael Cote of Grand Junction at the finish line.
Nobody’s been able to catch Buena Vista’s Mason Finley, either. Instead, he’s pushing state records further out of reach. The burly senior added another when he broke Jim Banich’s 27-year-old state record in the 3A shot put with a throw of 67-10 1/4. Banich set the previous mark of 66-3 1/4 while at Arvada High in 1982.
Heading into today’s final day, Littleton (5A, 41 points), Sierra (4A, 38), The Classical Academy (3A, 46) and Wray (2A, 38) lead the team competitions.
