Doherty's Dante Marsh clears the bar in the 5A boys high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. Marsh tied for third in the event. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE) Brent Briggeman
Doherty’s Dante Marsh turns eyes toward next year after third-place tie in high jump
Dante Marsh didn’t need to turn around to know the bar had dropped, he could already read the disappointment in the faces of his friends on the other side of the fence.
“I didn’t want to see it,” the Doherty junior said. “I knew I didn’t clear it.”
Disappointment for Doherty’s Donte Marsh, who narrowly clips the bar at 6-6 on his final attempt. He entered with a season-best 6-8, which had led the 5A field. @gazetteprepspic.twitter.com/qKcl7mVHvv
Marsh missed his third attempt at 6 feet, 6 inches by the narrowest of margins, essentially just scaring the bar out of its spot and onto the mat.
But he has reason for optimism moving forward. In this event where technique is so important, he has only a year of experience. He had sampled the high jump in seventh grade, but it wasn’t until his sophomore season at Doherty that he began competing at the prep level.
Now he’ll have a full year to refine the motion before returning as a senior.
“It’s all about the technique,” Marsh said. “It’s mostly about speed, and getting the height into it. It’s about experience.”
That’s not to say he hasn’t already made an impact in the sport. He entered state with the best mark in 5A at 6-8. That was the mark cleared by Grandview’s Darrian Leu-Pierre on Thursday in a championship performance. Marsh’s 6-4 tied for third.
Rampart’s Luke Pavlica took 10th and Fountain-Fort Carson’s Ethan Smith was 12th in the event.
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A Fountain-Fort Carson athlete competes in the 5A girls’ 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Fountain-Fort Carson’s Lawson White stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pine Creek’s Reece Rowan stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Cheyenne Mountain and Lewis-Palmer atheltes stand on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sierra’s Gya’ni Sami competes in the 4A girls’ discus on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Julia Howe competes in the girls’ 4A discus on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brenden Young competes in the 4A long jump on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brenden Young sprays sand during the 4A long jump at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Vista Ridge athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Mitchell athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Braeden Holcombe competes in the 4A boys’ long jump on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Palmer Ridge athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Pine Creek athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountain-Fort Carson athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Julia Howe of Palmer Ridge stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sierra’s Gya’ni Sami (center) donns a traditional ie lavalava, a Samoan wrap, on the podium after winning second in the 4A discus throw at Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium on Thursday, May 16. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Lewis-Palmer’s Alexa Oatman (left) and Grace Szucs of Palmer Ridge sit on the state podium after the 4A pole vault final at Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium on Thursday, May 16. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brendan Young (left) laughs with Palmer Ridge jumper Braeden Holecombe after the 4A long jump finals at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
TCA relay runners celebrate qualifying for a 3A final on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Harrison and Cheyenne Mountain relay anchors finish neck-and-neck on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Cheyenne Mountain runners celebrate a relay finish on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Air Academy’s Dillon Powell sits on the podium after taking second in the boys’ 3,200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Air Academy’s Dillon Powell (1) placed second in the 4A boys’ 3,200 race, and Cheyenne Mountain’s Erik Le Roux (3) placed third on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Doherty athelte comes out of the blocks on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountain-Fort Carson athelte competes in the girls’ 5A 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Palmer athlete competes in the 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Doherty athletes compete in the boys 5A 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pine Creek athletes compete in the 5A boys’ 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountian-Fort Carson relay runner competes in the boys’ 5A 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren celebrates a successful vault during the 4A finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sand Creek’s Jahzara Daivs crosses the finish line first in her 110 hurdle heat on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren competes in the 4A pole vault on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren smiles after a vault in the 4A pole vault finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Vista Ridge athelte competes in the boys’ 110 hurdles prelims on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pueblo East’s Kain Medrano smiles after winning the 4A discus championship on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Cheyenne Mountain athelte competes in the girls 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team celebrates a third-place finish in the 4A finals at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team celebrates a third-place finish in the 4A finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Coronado’s Tinah Muhammed competes in the 4A girls long jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Widefield’s Aaliyah Ricketts places seventh in the 4A girls long jump Thursday during the Colorado track and field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
Widefield’s Aaliyah Ricketts competes in the 4A girls long jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Doherty’s Dante Marsh clears the bar in the 5A boys high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. Marsh tied for third in the event. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Rampart jumper competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Cheyenne Mountain relay team gathers after a prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Harrison runner (left) competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Liberty’s Katelyn McMoore competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
An Air Academy runner competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Palmer[s Keyanda Bolton competes in a prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta reacts after missing on her final attempt in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Harrison’s Tyrese Van Horne (right) runs in the 200-meter prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
TCA’s Maggie Huddleston reacts to a scare on the starting blocks in the 4 x 200-meter relay prelim, as she briefly lost balance. She was not called for a false start and the Titans advanced to the final during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A St. Mary’s athlete competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Runners compete in the 4A boys 3200 meter run during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Liberty’s Kately McMoore competes in the 5A high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Mason Anthony, senior at Elizabeth High School, stands at the top of the podium after placing first in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Brendan Young, senior at Canon City, lands in the sandpit for the long jump during the Colorado track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood. Young won the 4A title at 23 feet, 1 inch.
Mason Anthony, senior at Elizabeth High School, competes in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
The 4×800 boys relay during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Brendan Young, senior at Canon City, stands on top of the podium after placing first in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
An athlete from The Classical Academy runs in the girl’s 4×800 relay during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Athletes from Plateau Valley High School collapse at the finish line during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
PHOTOS: 2019 Colorado state track & field championships
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A Fountain-Fort Carson athlete competes in the 5A girls’ 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Fountain-Fort Carson’s Lawson White stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pine Creek’s Reece Rowan stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Cheyenne Mountain and Lewis-Palmer atheltes stand on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sierra’s Gya’ni Sami competes in the 4A girls’ discus on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Julia Howe competes in the girls’ 4A discus on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brenden Young competes in the 4A long jump on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brenden Young sprays sand during the 4A long jump at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Vista Ridge athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Mitchell athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Braeden Holcombe competes in the 4A boys’ long jump on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Palmer Ridge athelte competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Harrison athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Pine Creek athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountain-Fort Carson athlete competes on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Julia Howe of Palmer Ridge stands on the podium on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sierra’s Gya’ni Sami (center) donns a traditional ie lavalava, a Samoan wrap, on the podium after winning second in the 4A discus throw at Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium on Thursday, May 16. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Lewis-Palmer’s Alexa Oatman (left) and Grace Szucs of Palmer Ridge sit on the state podium after the 4A pole vault final at Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium on Thursday, May 16. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Canon City’s Brendan Young (left) laughs with Palmer Ridge jumper Braeden Holecombe after the 4A long jump finals at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
TCA relay runners celebrate qualifying for a 3A final on Day 1 of the Colorado state track & field championships on Thursday, May 16 at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Harrison and Cheyenne Mountain relay anchors finish neck-and-neck on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Cheyenne Mountain runners celebrate a relay finish on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Air Academy’s Dillon Powell sits on the podium after taking second in the boys’ 3,200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Air Academy’s Dillon Powell (1) placed second in the 4A boys’ 3,200 race, and Cheyenne Mountain’s Erik Le Roux (3) placed third on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Doherty athelte comes out of the blocks on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountain-Fort Carson athelte competes in the girls’ 5A 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Palmer athlete competes in the 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Doherty athletes compete in the boys 5A 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pine Creek athletes compete in the 5A boys’ 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Fountian-Fort Carson relay runner competes in the boys’ 5A 4×200 on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren celebrates a successful vault during the 4A finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Sand Creek’s Jahzara Daivs crosses the finish line first in her 110 hurdle heat on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren competes in the 4A pole vault on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren smiles after a vault in the 4A pole vault finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Vista Ridge athelte competes in the boys’ 110 hurdles prelims on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Pueblo East’s Kain Medrano smiles after winning the 4A discus championship on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
A Cheyenne Mountain athelte competes in the girls 4×200 relay on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team celebrates a third-place finish in the 4A finals at Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
The Palmer Ridge girls’ 4×200 relay team celebrates a third-place finish in the 4A finals on Day 1 of the 2019 Coloraod state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
Coronado’s Tinah Muhammed competes in the 4A girls long jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Widefield’s Aaliyah Ricketts places seventh in the 4A girls long jump Thursday during the Colorado track and field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
Widefield’s Aaliyah Ricketts competes in the 4A girls long jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Doherty’s Dante Marsh clears the bar in the 5A boys high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. Marsh tied for third in the event. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Rampart jumper competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Cheyenne Mountain relay team gathers after a prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A Harrison runner (left) competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Liberty’s Katelyn McMoore competes in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
An Air Academy runner competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Palmer[s Keyanda Bolton competes in a prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Rampart’s Lily Acosta reacts after missing on her final attempt in the 5A girls high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Harrison’s Tyrese Van Horne (right) runs in the 200-meter prelim during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
TCA’s Maggie Huddleston reacts to a scare on the starting blocks in the 4 x 200-meter relay prelim, as she briefly lost balance. She was not called for a false start and the Titans advanced to the final during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
A St. Mary’s athlete competes during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Runners compete in the 4A boys 3200 meter run during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Liberty’s Kately McMoore competes in the 5A high jump during Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (BRENT BRIGGEMAN, THE GAZETTE)
Mason Anthony, senior at Elizabeth High School, stands at the top of the podium after placing first in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Katie Klann The Gazette
Brendan Young, senior at Canon City, lands in the sandpit for the long jump during the Colorado track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood. Young won the 4A title at 23 feet, 1 inch.
Mason Anthony, senior at Elizabeth High School, competes in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Katie Klann The Gazette
The 4×800 boys relay during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Katie Klann The Gazette
Brendan Young, senior at Canon City, stands on top of the podium after placing first in the long jump during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Katie Klann The Gazette
An athlete from The Classical Academy runs in the girl’s 4×800 relay during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Katie Klann The Gazette
Athletes from Plateau Valley High School collapse at the finish line during the 2019 Colorado State Track and Field Tournament at the Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood, Colorado. (Photo by Katie Klann, The Gazette)
Palmer Ridge’s Tyson Wahlgren competes in the 4A pole vault on Day 1 of the 2019 Colorado state track & field championships at Jeffco Stadium. (Lindsey Smith, The Gazette)
“I have a huge mental issue when it comes to the pole vault,” said the Palmer Ridge junior. “But I told my coach to trust me, and I turned it off today.”
Wahlgren, who entered the state championships seeded 12th in 4A, placed seventh with a vault of 14 feet, a personal best by more than a foot in his first state championship appearance.
“I was kind of worried because at first I was getting rejected on all my poles,” Wahlgren said. “But after I took my first jump, we watched video and we realized I was like three feet above my starting mark.”
His vault of 14-0 was more than three feet higher than his season best from a year ago.
Lone Mustang leaving his mark
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Jayden Omi didn’t have much of a support system on hand for Thursday’s opening day on the state track and field meet as the only Manitou Springs athlete to qualify for the season finale.
To make up for it, Omi wrote the names of his senior teammates on his Adidas spikes. It seemed to work.
The senior won both his preliminary races. He’ll enter Saturday’s 100-meter 3A finals with the second-best time (11:27) after Platte Valley’s Devyn Lauer ran 11.21.
Omi has the time to beat in the 200 at 22.58, nearly a half second ahead of the runner who will be seeded second.
“Today, I think I did really good,” Omi said while catching his breath after his 200. “I wasn’t expecting to actually do this well.”
Cheyenne Mountain boys the top team after Day 1
After one day — and few finals — at the state track meet, the Cheyenne Mountain boys are the top area team regardless of classification.
The Indians sit tied with Silver Creek for second place in 4A with 18 points, three back of Eagle Valley.
Erik Le Roux placed third, a spot back of Air Academy’s Dillon Powell, in the 3,200 final. Cheyenne Mountain also placed third in the 4×800 relay.
Palmer Ridge and Air Academy both have 17 points in a tie for fifth place on the boys’ side.
On the 4A girls’ side, Grace Szucs’ win in the pole vault has Palmer Ridge sitting third with 21 points, six back of leading Niwot.
In 5A, the Pine Creek boys sit third with 13 points entering the second day behind a fourth-place showing from the Eagles’ 4×800 relay.
The Fountain-Fort Carson girls’ lead the local teams in the highest classification with four points after Zaria Joseph placed sixth in the triple jump, going 36-5.25.
Elizabeth’s boys are third in 3A behind Mason Anthony’s win in the long jump, while The Classical Academy is sixth on the girls’ side with seven points on a third-place finish in the 4×800 relay.
In 2A, Ellicott is sixth with nine points, as Acxel Perez took third in the triple jump, while Calhan sits a point back.
Pikes Peak Christian is the top area boys’ team in 1A, sitting on six points after Sam Smith placed sixth in the shot put and Jackson Thorne finished seventh in the 3,200.
