Kelby Dias is well-accustomed to clearing hurdles, but could face his biggest obstacle in May at the Class 4A state track and field meet.

 The Sierra standout is hoping to become a three-time champion in the 110-meter high hurdles and the 300 intermediate hurdles, but will be competing with a target on his back. Dias was a four-time state champ last year, adding victories in the long jump and 800 relay.

“Kelby is a hard working, dedicated athlete,” said new coach Joe Fassler. “He works hard in practice to improve his technique and speed. He probably works harder in track than his other sports because he knows that at anytime someone who wants it more can come along and beat him.”

One opponent who would love to knock him off is Mullen’s Elliot Beski. Although he finished fourth at state in the 300 hurdles in 2008, he was runner-up to Dias in 2007. He also finished second in both hurdles at regionals.

Sierra and Mullen could be battling for the team title. They finished 2-3 last year with 68 and 61 points, respectively.

Besides Dias, Sierra senior sprinter Jarvis Harrod, discus thrower Terrance Thomas (ninth at state), and high jumper Xavier Newton will contribute points.

Falcon will pile up points in the distance events with seniors Kevin Johnson (third, 3,200; sixth, 1,600 last spring), Florida State signee Wes Rickman (second, 1,600) back.

CLASS 4A GIRLSNo clearly dominant team has emerged with Lewis-Palmer returning seniors Kalie Kirk (second, 5A 300 hurdles; sixth, 100 hurdles) and Molly Bush, who placed fourth in the long jump.

Sierra’s Samantha Thompson could win both distance titles while Natasha Bruins of Woodland Park is a contender in the triple and long jumps. Mesa Ridge’s Kadeshia Rose is the state runner-up in the 100 and 200.

CLASS 5A BOYSDoherty’s 10 returning lettermen include state title contenders and  juniors Kenny Chambers (third, 100), and Jaden Terry (third, discus; seventh, shot put).

Palmer has two potential champs in hurdler Brendan Jackson and long jumper Maurice Blackledge.

CLASS 5A GIRLSThe deepest teams are Coronado, led by senior and defending 100 dash champ LaTraia Scott (second in the 200), and Palmer, which returns 20 letter-winners including junior distance runners Annie Whitford and Meg Rudy. But they just may be battling for second behind defending 1,600 champ Allie McLaughlin of Air Academy.

MARK YOUR CALENDARSeason begins: SaturdayRegionals: May 8-9, sites varyState championships: May 14-16, Jeffco Stadium, Denver

 

CLASS 5A BOYS

 

Air Academy – no state qualifiers return.

Coronado – State placing juniors Dusty Solis (sixth, 800), and Travis Scott (seventh, high jump) and senior state qualifier Marvin McChriston (triple jump) return along with seniors Levi Gonzales (middle distances), Zach Guis (sprints), Bryce Holiday (sprints, hurdles), Andrew Hugill (middle distances), Isaac Johnson (sprints), Dylan Kost (throws), Michael Wilder (sprints, jumps) and Dominic Young (sprints).

Doherty – 10 returning lettermen, including six state qualifiers, form a strong nucleus. They are: seniors Sergio Logan, Erik Williams and Lucas Garcia (seventh, 3,200 meter relay); juniors Kenny Chambers (third, 100), Jaden Terry (third, discus; seventh, shot put) and Kory MacGill (pole vault).

Fountain-Fort Carson – The Trojans have depth, but lack experience in the sprints beyond 4A eighth-place finishes in the 1,600 relay (seniors Justin Hansen, Conrad Montoya, Devyn Harris and Marcus Burge) and the 3,200 relay (seniors Frank Socha, Chris Basham, Hansen and Montoya). Junior Jaharius Mathis (fourth, shot put) and senior Brock Emory (jumps, hurdles) should do well.

Liberty – Hurdlers Jason Epps and Charles Piersall and sprinters Zach Farrell, Ben Theune, Steve Stanfield, Nelson Guinn and Richard Martin, and distance runners Neil Bishop and Andrew Seltes, all seniors, give the Lancers a solid nucleus. Sprinter Tyler McDaniel and jumper Mike Ashton, both juniors, are also expected to contribute.

Palmer – The Terrors, second in the CSML last year, hope to score in a variety events with 20 returning lettermen, including senior state place-winners Brendan Jackson (third, 300 hurdles, fifth 110 hurdles) and Maurice Blackledge (fourth, long jump). Distance runner Dan Heck, a senior, and sophomores Reggie Allison and Andrew Goodman also have state meet experience. Seniors Lucas Adams, Jeremiah Henderson and Justin Washington, juniors Robert McDougal and Tucker Walsh, and sophomore Cyrus Hair will add depth.

Rampart – Seniors Devin Mohn (second, 200; seventh, 100) and Corey Clark (ninth, 400), and state qualifier Brennan Jarvis (800), will be key performers as they attempt to match a 2008 third-place team finish.

Sand Creek – Senior Keith Britton (ninth, long jump) returns.

Class 4A

Cheyenne Mountain – Seniors Peter Perdue (seventh, 100), Daniel Bueno (100), Lance Knight (3,200), and Nolan Mayhew (400) all return with state experience.

Falcon – State qualifying seniors Kevin Johnson (third, 3,200; sixth, 1,600), Wes Rickman (second, 1,600), and Bryce Lane (hurdles), should score plenty of points.

Harrison – Senior John Wingo, a member of the sixth place 400-meter relay squad, returns to pace a Panther team that will lack depth, but hopes to be strong in relays.

Lewis-Palmer -With nine returning letter-winners, the Rangers have solid threats in seniors Josh Christman (pole vault, long jump), Andrew Schomburg (triple jump) and Grant Fullenbach (throws). Sprinter Phillip DeCoud and high jumper Rex Kobi, both juniors, should contribute to an inexperienced group.

Sierra – The Metro League champions will also look for scoring from senior Chris Gaines (sprints, relays), juniors Edison Mason (sprints, relays), Emilio Trujillo (middle distances), and Steven Walker (jumps). and sophomore Chris Sterling (sprints, hurdles, relays).

Woodland Park – Seniors Jared Giambalvo (ninth, triple jump), and David Greenstreet (throws) should do well at state and are two of the seven returning letter winners.

GIRLS

CLASS 5A

Air Academy – Allie McLaughlin ran away with the state 1,600 meter title and will be back.

Coronado – Seniors LaTraiacq Scott (first, 100; second, 200) and state qualifier Meredith Green (sprints), should be the primary point scorers. Seniors Hannah Green (distances), Angela Vitulli (distances), and juniors Rosie Bradley (sprints, hurdles), Hannah Brown (sprints, jumps), Maeva Djoumessi (sprints), Malika Everett (sprints, jumps), Christy Garrett (middle distances), Caitlin McGrath (sprints, jumps), Megan Trujillo (distances), Amanda Wilson (sprints, jumps, hurdles), Lauren Young (middle distances), and Leteefah Young (sprints) lend experience to a team laden with underclassmen.

Doherty – Senior Lynnea Sjoerdsma (seventh, 800; qualifier, 1,600, 3.200 relay) is joined by senior Summer Winters (fourth, high jump), sophomore Alexis Cooks (sixth, discus), and 3,200 relay members Jordan Bloesser, a junior, and Leah Anderson and Aubrey Hilte, both sophomores. Senior sprinter Paige Clarke should contribute.

Fountain-Fort Carson – The Trojans return six 4A qualifiers, including seniors Sherrea Elliott (jumps), Jeanette Van Duesen (400, relays), juniors Yahna Harris (high jump, hurdles), and Erica Jackson (sprints, relays), Jazmine Foreman (relays), and Jazmyn Jones (relays).

Liberty – State qualifying high jumper Kendra Smith, a sophomore, joins junior Ayana Moore and senior Amanda Whittington, both sprinters, and senior Amy Kress and sophomore Lauren Theune, both distance runners. Freshman Hannah Everson will run distance events.

Palmer – The league runners-up return 20 letter-winners and hope to challenge league champ Rampart with seniors Jade McAfee (sprints), and Elise Hibbert (jumps, middle distances), junior distance runners Kylee Firlit and Annie Whitford, Meg Rudy (3,200, relays), and Samantha Strempke (400, jumps), and sophomores Amber McAfee (middle distances, relays), and Emily Smith (seventh, 800). Rachel Washington, Dana Louie and Katie Law will look to contribute to a team expected to be strong in jumps and the distance runs.

Pine Creek – Juniors Libby Westfall (fifth, pole vault), and high jump qualifier Lauren Dickinson, return to lead the Eagles.

 Rampart – Junior Sara Benson (fourth, 400) returns.

Sand Creek – Junior state qualifier Jen Bremser (distances) and sophomore state qualifier Montoya Walker (throws) will lead the team.

CLASS 4A

Cheyenne Mountain – Junior Kita Alvares (fifth, 100 hurdles) is joined by junior qualifier Samantha Chamberlin (hurdles) and sophomore qualifier Danielle Grossman (distances).

Falcon – Sophomores Kiah Hicks (third, discus; ninth, shot put), and Sade Lewis (first, triple jump; seventh, 100 hurdles) return.

Harrison – Joanna Arellano (400), and Alysea Mlodzik (throws), will lead the Panthers, who are expected to be strong in the relays.

Lewis-Palmer – Sixth in 5A last year, the Rangers should be strong in 4A with nine returning letter-winners including seniors Kalie Kirk (second, 300 hurdles; sixth, 100 hurdles) and Molly Bush (fourth, long jump) and junior Morgan Griffin (fifth, 1,600 relay; eighth, pole vault). Senior sprinter Hannah Nordgy, high jumpers Laurisa Canini and Danielle Lewis, both juniors, and distance runner Maddie Kruger should give the team solid depth.

Mesa Ridge – Kadeshia Rose (second, 100 and 200) should contend.

Mitchell – Senior Bri Johnson was eighth in the 100 hurdles at state.

Sierra – Samantha Thompson (fourth, 1,600), heads a list of 15 letter-winners that includes senior Chelsea Rotondo (hurdles); juniors Brittany Smith (long jump), and Sylvia Black (relays), and sophomore Faleesa Jeffery (sprints). Additional scoring is expected from senior Janeesa “Chucky” Jeffery and sophomores Tenisha McMillian (middle distances), and sprinters Chantal Cross, Naomi Verdugo and Tiani Reed.

Widefield – Juniors Joyce Banks (third, triple jump), Rebecca Miller (fourth, discus), and state sprint qualifiers Shanti Bridgewater, Daniesha Watson, and Alena Hartman are back.

Woodland Park – Natasha Bruins (third, long jump; eighth, high jump), and qualifiers Cassidy Nettles (100 hurdles), Ariel Austin (jumps) are among 16 letter-winners returning to the senior-laden squad. Junior qualifiers Emily Harpe (high jump) and Laura Daily (shot put) and long jumper Anna Huber and triple jumper Katelyn Wilson will contribute.

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