LAKEWOOD — It was a scene typical of the best of the best at the state track and field finals.
Lyons senior Forrest Donnell was cradling his awards even as he expressed disappointment in the distance he recorded during the Class 2A long jump finals. Although Donnell did not reach the distance he craved, he still left Thursday’s opening day of the state track and field finals with a consolation prize — namely, a second consecutive 2A title in the long jump — that was nothing to scoff at.
“I was actually a little more disciplined this year,” Donnell said. “I came into this meet wanting to do 23 feet because I knew the state (meet) record was 22-11 3/4. I figured I was the reigning champ and could go for a record. But it was still a good day.”
Although he fell short of the meet record, Donnell turned in a winning mark of 21 feet, 113/4 inches, topping his previous personal best by 13/4 inches. Donnell had a strong all-around day, as he also finished with the second-best time in the preliminary heats of the 100-meter dash (11.28 seconds).
“You come out and you jump pretty well, but you always want to go a couple inches further,” Donnell said. “If that’s not your mindset, you’re not set up for success.”
FAIRVIEW FINISHERS: The Fairview boys 3,200 relay team took second in 5A in the finals.
The group comprised of Zach Swenson, Kyle Lund, Ricardo Kaempfen and Rich Sanchez finished in a time of 7:56.44. Cherry Creek won in 7:47.12.
FHS senior sprinter Ben Meyer, meanwhile, ran the second-fastest qualifying time in the 100- and 200- meter dashes behind Fort Collins’ Raymond Bozmans.
WEBB WAITS IT OUT: Monarch’s Kirk Webb said he didn’t want to run the 3,200 on Thursday because he hasn’t been training for that race and it takes a lot out of him. Although he was seeded second entering the event, he’d rather save his strength for the events he believes he can win state titles in — the 800, 1,600 and 1,600-meter relay.”I just want to stay rested for the 800,” Webb said. “I want to get a shot at a PR or maybe even a state record if everything goes well.”
The Monarch girls 3,200 relay team did anything but rest Thursday, taking second in the finals with a time of 9:15.78. Claire Green, Kaitlyn Benner, Elissa Mann and Karina Mann made up the group that finished behind champion Cherry Creek.
HIGH JUMP HIJINKS: Erie’s Nicole Hulet placed fourth in the 4A girls high jump with a jump of 5-1.
Following in the senior veteran’s footsteps, Tigers sophomore Haley Gallagher jumped 5 feet to take ninth.
The Tigers also advanced to the finals in three other events — Zach Solomon in the 100, Steven Atkins in the 400, and the girls 800 sprint medley.
TRIPLE JUMP TRIPS: In the 4A boys triple jump, Niwot junior Lorne Jenkins (44-61/2) took fourth, Longmont senior Braden Hitchcock (44-4) took fifth and Longmont junior Forrest Wetterstrom (44-0) took sixth.
LOADED LINEUPS: In the 4A girls 800 sprint medley, Niwot (third), Centaurus (eighth) and Erie (ninth) all qualified for the finals.
TRACKING TRAXINGER: After finishing fifth last year, Niwot’s Kelsey Traxinger qualified in eighth for the finals in the 4A girls 400-meter dash on Thursday.
The Cougars’ 3,200 relay team took sixth place in the finals.
BUSY BURK: Holy Family fans might have been given an unexpected pang of dread watching senior Ashley Burk limp across the field when her final event was complete with ice packs covering both of her legs.
But Burk wasn’t injured. She was just getting ready for the continuation of her long day.
Burk ran the anchor leg for a Holy Family 3,200-meter relay team that placed third during Thursday’s Class 3A state track and field finals.
The squad, which also included Danielle Medearis, Alejandra Sullivan, and Lindsey Chavez, then sent Burk on her way as she left Jeffco Stadium to take her place in the starting lineup Thursday night as Holy Family’s girls soccer team took on Colorado Academy in the Class 3A quarterfinals.
NOTABLE: Lyons senior Marcos Rodriguez placed third in the shot put with a mark of 45-5. … Centaurus’ 3,200 relay team finished fourth and Broomfield placed seventh. … Lyons, seeking repeat team titles for its boys and girls teams, set itself up nicely on the boys side with several strong showings in preliminary heats. The Lions turned in the top prelim time in the 800 meter relay (1:32.11) while junior Matt Radich posted the top mark in the 110 meter hurdles (15.49).
