FORT COLLINS — Jake Schneeberger was not sure what sort of scores he was going to be able to record Saturday at the annual Runners Roost of Fort Collins track and field invitational.
Schneeberger just wanted to turn in a solid effort at the first big-competition meet of the season, and in that regard he was an overwhelming success.
The Fossil Ridge senior won the discus and shot put events in the boys division, becoming one of six athletes to win multiple individual events at one of the season’s most demanding invitationals.
Windsor thrower Ashlee Utley, dual-sport star Annie Kunz of Wheat Ridge and George Washington’s Chyna Ries each won two events in the girls competition. Palmer’s Andrew Goodman also collected two first-place medals, while Ray Bozmans of Fort Collins led the Lambkins to the top of the boys standings with victories in the 100 and 200 meters.
“I wasn’t really coming in here looking for marks. I was just looking at this as the first competition meet we would have,” said Schneeberger, who will continue his throwing career at Colorado State.
“I was really happy with my disc today. During the week, I knew that I was going to perform today. I just didn’t know how well. I came out and I threw a 161 (on the discus), which is my best so far this year, and I scratched two that were about 170. To get around 170 this early in the year, I’m excited to see what will happen.”
Schneeberger recorded a winning mark of 161-10 in the discus and posted a 51-5 3/4 on the shot put. Bozmans’ victories helped the Lambkins outlast league rival Poudre by a narrow 80-70 1/2 margin and give Fort Collins its second consecutive championship in the invitational.
The Loveland girls team, which is the defending Class 5A champion, dominated the field with three victories, including two in relay events.
“We need to tweak a couple things on the relays, because we can definitely get a lot better on our handoffs,” said Loveland senior Stephanie Hutsell, who won the 400. “That shows that we haven’t even peaked yet, and the best is yet to come. . . . This is the competition we are going to see at state, and I think we are right where we need to be.”
