LAKEWOOD — High school track and field records may not last for days, never mind decades. The Class 4A girls shot put record had been on the books for 24 years, but Alamosa senior Katie Kruger wasn’t thinking about longevity when she stepped into the ring Friday at Jefferson County Stadium for the last of her six throws. Her mind was in the here and now.
Having already clinched the state championship with an earlier toss, Kruger knew there was no reason to hold back. She let it rip. Measuring 43 feet, 5 inches, her throw landed almost a foot farther than the former 4A meet mark of 42-7 set in 1985 by Gina Kovar of Burlington. Kiah Hicks, a Falcon High School sophomore, showed outstanding potential for the future by placing second with 39-9.
“This feels really good because of all the work I put in over the last year to get ready for today,” Kruger said.
After her fifth-place finish (36-8 1/2) in last year’s state championships, Kruger knew she had to mature for her senior year — and learn to relax under pressure. Kruger attended a throwing camp at hometown Adams State last summer and worked on the mental side of competition as well as her technique. She will throw next year for Adams State.
“Last year I let being at state get to me; I didn’t keep my head, basically,” recalled Kruger, who will be favored in the 4A discus today. “That camp (at Adams State) really helped me. They drilled my form into me until I got comfortable with it, no matter where I was throwing.”
Also setting a 4A meet record Friday was 800-meter specialist Samantha Thompson of Sierra, whose 2:10.12 obliterated the previous mark of 2:11.94 set in 2001 by Jenna Bimbi. Thompson, a senior who will run next year for New Mexico State, got out fast and stayed ahead of 2008 state champion Laura Tremblay of Thompson Valley, who put on a strong kick but couldn’t catch up.
“At the very beginning I felt I was in control,” Thompson said.
Tremblay, also a senior, is bound for the University of Colorado along with her sister, Liz, who runs shorter distances.
“I knew Samantha was going to go out fast,” Laura Tremblay said. “I tried to keep up with her as best I could. I’m disappointed, but she did really well.”
Look for the girls’ 5A 800 meters to be a strong event for years to come. Highlands Ranch sophomore Eleanor Fulton took an early lead and beat a late charge by Cherry Creek freshman Olivia Anderson to the finish line. Another sophomore, Kristen Narum of Fairview, placed third.
“I knew (Anderson) was back there, but I felt really good at the end,” Fulton said.
Emily Blok’s quest for seven 4A gold medals ended late in the afternoon when the Conifer senior failed to qualify for the final round in the long jump. Earlier, Blok glided to a relatively easy victory in the 200 meters (24.34), her third consecutive state title in that event.
But without a break, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas signee had to hustle over to the long jump, which started more than an hour late. Blok will be favored today to defend her titles in the 100 and 400 meters.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@denverpost.com
