LINCOLN, Neb. – This summer, two Colorado high school coaching legends will see their names etched in eternity.

Duane Lewis (Alamosa/Alameda) and John Hancock (Mullen) will be inducted into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association (NHSACA) Hall of Fame, July 28, in Lincoln, Neb.

“I never had a clue something like that would ever happen, so it’s pretty cool,” Lewis said. “It’s like a dream come true. I never really considered it and I’ve just been rolling right along. But it’s a real honor and a real great group to be a part of.”

“I’m very proud to be included,” Hancock stated. “It reflects not only on Mullen, but also the type of athletes and coaches I had the pleasure of working with. If I’m being honored, then they are being honored too.”

Lewis began his coaching career at Alamosa in 1967, and proceeded to coach there for nine seasons, racking up a career record of 121-63 competing at 3A (the highest classification at the time). Part of that run included four league titles, three state tournament appearances, as well as him being named the league coach of the year four times.

He then matriculated to Alameda from 1977-1991, where his teams went 207-114. He won three league championships and finished second four times in a 12-team league, the largest at the time in the state. Four times he was named coach of the year.

In all, he compiled a career record of 328-177 for a winning percentage of .650 in 24 seasons. He was an eight-time coach of the year, eight-time league champion, 11-time district finalist and qualified for 10 state tournaments.

In addition, he coached boys golf, winning two league championships and being named coach of the year in 1974 at Alamosa. At Alameda he coached boys and girls in golf, the boys for 18 years and the girls 10. His boys teams won two league championships.

Hancock was the head boys and girls track and field coach for 33 years at Mullen. He led the boys team to 11 state titles, and the women to one. He also helped the Mustangs to 20 regional championships and seven Centennial League conference titles.

This won’t be Hancock’s first national recognition, as he was named the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) track coach of the year in 2013. He was also one of the finalists for the NHSACA track coach of the year awards in 2002 and 2008.

In total, Hancock coached at the prep ranks for 38 years, which included 31 years as an assistant coach for football at Bear Creak, Arvada West, Lakewood, Evergreen, and Mullen. He helped Lakewood to a state runner-up finish in 1979, and Mullen to a state championship in 1998.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Avery Shunneson’s senior year at Thomas Jefferson High School went from the slow pace of having the fall football season postponed to warp speed of having three sports crammed into his final semester of school. Avery and his teammates at TJ participated in the state basketball tournament in early March, started football practice the next week, hoisted the 4A Football Season C Championship trophy in May, and then Avery won two state track and field championships the last weekend of June.  Not a bad way to wind up your senior year – oh, and add being named 4A football Player of the Year and committing to attend Princeton University to this list as well.

Avery Shunneson is the 52nd winner of the Steinmark Award since it was established in 1972 (there were two winners in 1976 and 1979) and he continues the proud tradition of Steinmark Award winners. Avery learned a lot of the history surrounding Freddie Steinmark and the award from his football coach, Mike Griebel, who passed on stories about the accomplishments of Freddie Steinmark from his glory days in the mid-1960’s at Wheat Ridge High School and the hard work it took for Freddie to get a scholarship to play for the Longhorns. They talked about Freddie playing in the 1969 ‘Game of the Century’ against the Arkansas Razorbacks and then a week later being diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left leg and the immediate amputation of the leg.

Most importantly, Avery recognized the hard work and dedication it took in the classroom and his community to really stand out as a Freddie Steinmark Award winner. Avery wrote, “I recalled the many times I would see Freddie Steinmark’s name as I explored the halls of Wheat Ridge High School in between my club basketball games at tournaments held at Wheat Ridge. I was only in middle school at the time, but I can still recall the pride the school had for such an amazing man who was not only a great athlete but also a good citizen and a dynamic leader.”

Avery was a natural leader in the hallways at TJ and the local community. Woody Bonner, assistant track coach at TJ, commented that “as a freshmen, Avery went out to the throw rings the first practice and was instantly the leader of that group of young men and women.” Having the respect of the other athletes and knowledge of the throwing events truly benefitted Avery this year as he stepped up to be the team’s throws coach when Coach Bonner was not able to be at practices during the season due to medical reasons. Coach Bonner also shared that he would “hear from Avery by text or call to check up on me and to fill me in on how the last game [or meet] went. This is something that was not required or asked for. This is something he does because of who he is and the outstanding character he possesses.”

Avery is also deeply involved in the Spanish-speaking community in Denver and helps as an interpreter and technology support for seniors in the community and clients of a local fishing outfitter. Avery learned to appreciate the importance of language and education at a very early age thanks to his parents, Alison and Arnold Shunneson, placing him in a fully Spanish-speaking 1st grade class. A review of Avery’s transcript shows no less than six Spanish Honors or Advanced Placement classes during his career at TJ. A weighted GPA of 4.78 ranked Avery in the top 10 of his class and a composite score of 30 on the ACT made Avery a top recruit of Ivy League colleges and almost every other top school across the country.

Avery is proud to be a product of TJ and the Denver Public Schools system and will carry that banner proudly with him to Princeton this year. Avery is also very proud to be the first Steinmark Award winner at TJ and the fourth recipient from Denver Public School – Mike Edwards, Kennedy (1976); Fred Harris, Montbello (1988); and Greg Jones, Kennedy (1992). Avery knows the challenges faced by urban schools and the students face many challenges every day. “The Steinmark Award means that one faces those challenges with faith and courage….and that you never give up. Horrible things happen in our lives, like Freddie Steinmark’s illness, but we have to dig deep and show courage so that we can inspire others to do the same. I would be honored to be the first to win the award on behalf of my school….and to represent the city of Denver.”

All of Avery’s academic and community service accomplishments may have moved his athletic feats to page 2, but they are no less impressive. During the 2021 Season D track and field season Avery threw the discus 196’ 8” to find a spot as the 6th best discus thrower ever in the state of Colorado. His throw of 192’ 6” set a 4A State Meet Record in the discus and put him on top of the podium, a spot he duplicated two days later by winning the 4A shot put with a throw of 54’ 2”. Avery’s progression in the discus is notable in that he was on the podium in both his 9th grade (a 6th place finish) and 10th grade (a 3rd place finish).

The spring football Season C found the undefeated TJ Spartans in the state championship game and trailing the Gateway Olympians at half time. The Spartans remained focused on their season-long goal of a team championship and came out victorious after a late-game touchdown and two-point conversion. Avery was one of the team captains and was proud of the Spartans’ determination throughout the entire season. The team focused on Coach Mike Griebel’s commitment to player safety and made sure that they did not have any COVID-related issues throughout the season. Avery was the team leader in rushing yards and tackles during the season and was recognized as the 4A Player of the Year by CHSAA. And what did Avery do to celebrate the team’s victory? He woke up Saturday morning and competed in the first track meet of Season D! Avery admitted that he was pretty sore, but he didn’t want to miss an opportunity to compete in a track and field meet. That is a true commitment to excellence!

The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. He was also an outstanding student and active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Freddie died from cancer in 1971 at the age of 22. Student athletes nominated for the award must be seniors who have maintained a GPA of at least 3.0 and participated in at least two varsity sports, having earned at least All-Conference in one sport and All-State in another.

Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge High School, and now the extremely well-known sports announcer for the Denver Broncos and other sports endeavors, was the first winner of the award in 1972.

In 2020, Caleb Rillos from Ralston Valley received the boys’ Steinmark and Emily Cavey of Berthoud was the recipient for the girls. The Colorado High School Coaches Association is proud to be the sponsor of the Freddie Steinmark Award and congratulates the athletes, and their coaches, who were nominated for this award.

Finalists for the 2021 Steinmark Award: Jake Boley, Cheyenne Mountain; Tyler Collins, Wray; Jack Pospisil, Pomona; and Zane Rankin, Lamar.

The Season D all-state boys track and field teams are presented by CHSAANow.com, ColoradoPreps.com and MaxPreps.

These teams were created based upon results at the state meet.

In order to be considered for athlete of the year, they must first have made the all-state team by winning an event.

Athletes of the year were selected based upon their performance at the state meet. Coaches of the year were selected based upon the team champions.

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(Claire Semerod/Cherry Creek High School)

Class 5A

Athlete of the year: Ky Oday, Cherry Creek

Coach of the year: John Reyes, Grandview

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(Brent Murphy/brentmurphyphoto.com)

Class 4A

Athlete of the year: Zane Bergen, Niwot

Coach of the year: Maurice Henriques, Niwot

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Class 3A

Athlete of the year: Joshua Medina, Alamosa

Coach of the year: Mark Roggy & Eileen Phillips, Resurrection Christian

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Class 2A

Athlete of the year: Anthony Martinez, Lake County

Coach of the year: Lucas Lubbers, Yuma

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Class 1A

Athlete of the year: Jacob Jefferson, Arickaree/Woodlin

Coach of the year: Joe Packard, Heritage Christian

(Tim Bourke/TimBourke.com)

CHICAGO — Mountain Vista’s Harrison Witt is no stranger to making history this year, and now he is making a little more.

On Thursday, the recently graduated Golden Eagle became the first Gatorade Colorado boys track & field player of the year to be chosen from Mountain Vista.

“For Harrison, the team always comes first and his individual goals come second,” Mountain Vista coach Jonathan Dalby said. “His ability to relate, connect, and inspire everyone else around him is remarkable.”

The 6-2, 155-pound senior set a state record of 4:04.36 in his title-winning 1600-meter run at the Class 5A state meet this past season. The clocking ranked as the nation’s fourth-best performance among 2021 prep competitors. It also broke his own record of 4:05.18 set earlier in the season.

Witt also broke the tape in the 800 at the state meet with a meet-record time of 1:48.75. His personal-best clocking of 1:48.50 in the 800 this season eclipsed another state record and ranked No. 2 nationally.

President of his class, Witt has participated in service mission trips to Guatemala and Cuba and has volunteered locally on behalf of the Make-a-Wish Foundation as well as the Forever Home Foundation, which helps elderly community members stay in their homes.

Witt has maintained a weighted 4.34 GPA in the classroom. He will attend Princeton University this fall, where he will compete in track and field.

He joins recent Gatorade Colorado boys track & field players of the year Cole Sprout (2019-20, 2018-19, & 2017-18, Valor Christian), and Isaac Green (2016-17, Monarch), among the state’s list of former award winners.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

LAKEWOOD – Harrison Witt had already made history this year, so his primary goal on Saturday at Jefferson County Stadium was a win.

With exceptional competition by his side, however, history accompanied victory.

Mountain Vista’s outstanding senior won the Class 5A boys 1,600-meter title at the state meet with a Colorado prep record time of 4 minutes, 4.36 seconds. He topped his own record of 4:05.18 set earlier this year.

Rather than a record, Witt’s main focus was to beat Cherry Creek’s Parker Wolfe, who is also one of the best distance runners in state history. Wolfe finished in 4:10.09, which would have been a 5A state meet record had it not been for Witt’s performance.

“I just set out to go for the win,” Witt said. “I think (the record) comes with it when we both race as hard as we can. Parker is obviously an insane competitor and he took a lot of that race, but the records just come with it when we push ourselves to run hard.”

Wolfe set the pace for the first two laps, with Witt just a few feet behind him. With about 500 meters to go, however, Witt began to sprint and he didn’t stop until he cross the finish line.

“I just wanted to try to hang (with Wolfe) and make it a sprint race, which I think I can handle,” he said. “The last 100 I was like, ‘Just get me to the finish,’ but the first three laps felt very, very strong.”

Witt also set a 5A meet record in the 800 meters (1:48.75) on Friday, putting a cap on his career before going to Princeton.

“It was just a great feeling. It’s very exciting,” he said of his final prep meet. “It’s incredible. A great way to end the season for sure.”

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Class 5A

When this season began, Grandview didn’t view itself as the type of team to win a state title. The Wolves showed championship potential throughout the year, however, and on Saturday claimed the first boys team title in program history, 78.5 to 57 over second-place Cherry Creek.

“We’re just a whole bunch of football players that had nothing to do,” said junior Malique Singleton. “We have a whole bunch of kids that just came out for fun and we just started going to meets, started winning and we’re like, ‘Oh we could actually win it.’”

The Wolves did it on the strength of their relays. Singleton helped the Wolves win the 800-meter relay on Friday and finish seventh in the 1,600 relay on Saturday. Grandview added a first-place finish in the 400-meter relay on Saturday (41.96 seconds).

“I think the relays mean more to us because we’re just friends and we’re a team and we can rely on each other and we’re really good at doing that,” Singleton said.

The junior added that the Wolves were inspired by their head coach, John Reyes.

“The other part of it is it just means so much to our head coach, John Reyes,” he said. “He puts all of his time and dedication in it, so for us to see him realize that he’s finally brought a state title here to Grandview, at least for me personally that meant the most.”

With  many of the Wolves being underclassmen, they are already looking ahead to 2022.

“We have the depth to go do it again; we just have to work at it and go for it,” Singleton said.

In the sprints, there wasn’t any one runner who was dominant. In fact, the wealth was spread among many on Saturday.

Sterling Brassfield of Eaglecrest won the 100 meters (10.63); D’Andre Barnes of Regis Jesuit won the 200 meters (21.69); and Ky Oday of Cherry Creek won the 400 meters (48.00).

In other 5A finals on Saturday, Gregory Anderson of Far Northeast won the 110 hurdles (14.14); Michael Bennett of Lakewood won the 300 hurdles (37.35); Garrett Searls of Horizon won the pole vault (14-9); Rangeview won the 1,600-meter relay (3:21.51); and Braiden Dishman of Fossil Ridge won the discus (167 feet, 2 inches) to sweep the throws.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 4A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Thomas Jefferson senior Avery Shunneson closed his career by sweeping the throws. On Saturday, he won the shot put (54-8) to go with the discus title he won Thursday.

“It’s very exciting. The perfect finish for sure,” he said.

The Princeton-bound Shunneson didn’t get a meet record in the shot, as he did Thursday in the discus, but that didn’t bother him. From the time he finished third in the discus in 2019, he had been aiming to win – and he did it twice this week.

“It means everything,” he said. “It’s been a goal for a long time. Obviously everyone struggled with not being able to compete last year, so to finish both (events) on top feels really good.”

For the second state meet in a row, Niwot came away with the team title, 90-59 over cross-town rival Longmont.

The Cougars were led Saturday by Zane Bergen claiming his third individual title of the weekend, posting a 4A meet record in the 1,600 meters (4:09.51). He won the 800 and 3,200 earlier in the meet.

Frederick’s Ryan Chacon, fully cleared within the last two weeks after a knee injury during basketball season, capped a remarkable comeback by winning the 200 meters (21.96) and leading the Warriors to a win in the 1,600 relay (3:23.78). Both were school records and gave Frederick its first event championships, regardless of gender, since 2006. Chacon was also second in the 400 and fourth in the 100.

Longmont’s Eddie Kurjak capped his weekend with another win, this time in the triple jump (45-5.75). He set a meet record in the high jump on Friday and was also second in the long jump this weekend.

In other 4A finals on Saturday, Brian Rose of Discovery Canyon won the 110 hurdles (14.75); Braylon Fenderson of Riverdale Ridge won the 100 meters (10.96); Justin Blaton of Grand Junction Central won the 400 (47.84); Derek Allen of Widefield won the 300 hurdles (38.73); and Cheyenne Mountain won the 400-meter relay (43.14).

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 3A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

There were times this season that Peak to Peak senior Aidan Graziano didn’t think he could win a state title. He kept chugging along, however, and on Saturday closed his career as the champion in the 110-meter hurdles (15.05 seconds).

“After a season of putting in the work and times where I didn’t feel motivated, you’ve just got to keep putting in that work,” he said. “When it all pays off with a state title, it’s such a great feeling.

“I’ve been wanting a state title for as long as I can remember and here we are.”

The team title came down to the wire, with Resurrection Christian outlasting The Classical Academy, 73-71. The Cougars trailed going into the final event of the day, the 1,600-meter relay, but won that race with a time of 3:24.91, while The Classical Academy was sixth.

Alamosa’s Joshua Medina finished as a three-time champ, winning a thriller in the 1,600 meters and posting a time of 4:20.47. He also won the 800 and 3,200 this weekend.

Other champions on Saturday included Logan Hafey of Moffat County in the 300 hurdles (39.26); Brayden Savage of Frontier Academy in the 100 meters (10.81); Drew Morton of The Classical Academy in the 400 meters (50.01); Devyn Lauer of Platte Valley in the 200 (21.94); Woodland Park’s Sonny Ciccarelli in the high jump (6-8); and Lutheran in the 400-meter relay (42.90).

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Class 2A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Earlier this season, Yuma junior Clay Robinson posted a time of 22.16 seconds in the 200 meters that would have been good enough to beat the 2A state meet record – except it wasn’t in the state meet.

On Saturday, he thought he finally got the mark, winning the state title in 22.17. The record is 22.23 by Mike Carl in 2009.

“It’s awesome,” Robinson said. “I broke it earlier in the season, but they told me I had to wait for the state event, so I waited and I got it and I’m pretty pleased with that.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Unfortunately for Robinson, it was later determined his time was wind-aided, so Carl will keep the record, but Robinson is still a champion, in many ways. He also won the 100 meters (11.87) and helped Yuma to the team title, 76 to 48.5 over second-place Lake County.

“It was awesome,” he said of his individual titles. “I came out and I just wanted the win and did whatever it took to win. I’m happy.”

Robinson was also third in long jump and was pleased to see Yuma win for the first time since its only other team title in 1996.

“We haven’t won a team title in like 25 years,” he said. “That would be something special for Yuma. Our boys team is pretty legit and we’re fast and we kept it and we want this title.”

Crested Butte’s Connor Williams is going home a two-time champ, as well. On Saturday, he won the 1,600 meters in 4:19.99. He won the 800 on Friday.

Centauri’s Mason Claunch won the 400 meters (49.70) and helped his team to a win in the 400 relay (44.62). He also helped them win the 800 relay on Friday.

In other Saturday finals: Lake County’s Anthony Martinez won the 110 hurdles (15.44); Blaine Pebbles of Hotchkiss won the 300 hurdles (40.04); Nathan Freeman of Dayspring Christian won the long jump (20-11.5); Nate Early of Banning Lewis won the high  jump (6-1); and Ouray won the 1,600-meter relay (3:30.88).

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Class 1A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Sophomore Jacob Jefferson of Arrickaree/Woodlin had a sensational first career state meet, claiming a pair of state titles on Saturday. He won the 110 hurdles in 16.24 seconds and the 400 meters in 52.49 seconds.

In his first high school track season, Jefferson said his main goals were to get a couple school records and, “That’s what I did today.”

One of them had particularly special meaning.

“I got the 400 and the 110s, which is a really big deal to my family because my family has run the 110s since, I think, my mom,” he said.

In fact, his older brother, Joseph, held the school record before Jacob broke it on Saturday.

Heritage Christian cruised to the team title, 141 to 79.5 over DeBeque, and the Eagles did so on the strength of its depth, as they did not win any event titles on Saturday.

DeBeque, meanwhile, won several titles on the final day of the meet. The Dragons were led by senior Wesley Ryan, who won the 100 meters in 11.52 seconds and the high jump with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches. Junior Trevor Lewis also won a title for the Dragons, taking the 1,600 meters in 4:36.14.

Lone Star senior Brady Kuntz closed his career with a 1A meet record in the pole vault with a leap of 13 feet, 6.5 inches.

Other champions on Saturday included Josh Duran of Antonito in the 300 hurdles (41.29); Haxtun in the 400 relay (46.20); and Cade Mitchek of Cheyenne Wells in the 200 meters (23.10), and helping the Tigers to a win in the 1,600-meter relay (3:40.25).

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Titles were claimed and glory was achieved by several athletes on the final day of the 2021 state track and field meet.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

LAKEWOOD – When he’s ready to start his run toward the high jump bar, Longmont’s Eddie Kurjak stands, raises his arms and begins a slow clap, urging the crowd to join him.

On Friday, the fans at Jefferson County Stadium followed his lead with the slow clap and then Kurjak cleared the bar with a Class 4A state-meet record leap of 7 feet to win the state title in the high jump.

“It feels amazing, man,” Kurjak said. “I love this environment. I’ve been psyching myself up all week for it just trying to prepare every night the best I can. A good season’s work finally paid off. I’m really proud of myself.”

Kurjak, headed to Colorado Mesa to play basketball and compete in track and field, said getting the slow clap going helps him.

“Me personally, it helps me flush out over-thinking to get the whole crowd involved,” he said. “Obviously it’s not going to make me jump higher, but it helps me not be so in my head about things. It just enables me to run and jump.”

It completed a long quest for a state title. He was second in the high jump in 2019 and likely would have been the favorite in 2020, but the season was wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kurjak said clearing 7 feet – the previous 4A record was 6-11 by Cheyenne Mountain’s Colt Sessions in 2013 – added a lot to his title, but that winning was sweet.

“They were both big personal goals for me, but I think winning state means a little more because I came up short sophomore year and last year I didn’t have a season,” he said. “Both years I’ve wanted to win. To finally get it this year just feels really, really amazing.”

It was an amazing feeling for the Class 4A girls high jump champion, as well.

Pueblo West’s Shayla Padilla won the title with a season-best leap of 5-6. She followed in the footsteps of her brother, Cisco, who beat Kurjak for the 4A boys title in 2019.

“It’s so exciting,” she said. “I’m literally just filling in my brother’s shoes because my brother won two years ago. It feels so good to come out here and compete with all these girls and it felt great.”

Padilla said her brother has given her some grief for not having a title, but he gave her some works of encouragement before Friday’s final.

“I think me and my brother are really competitive and he always used to make fun of me and be like, ‘Don’t talk to me because you don’t have a ring yet,’” she said. “It just made me  want to win so bad, so here I am and I got a ring.”

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Class 5A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Cherry Creek’s Riley Stewart knew she would be busy this weekend, but the junior has made it worth it.

On Friday, she won state titles in the 800 (2:09.60) and 3,200 meters (10:31.45), adding to the 3,200-meter relay championship she helped the Bruins on Thursday.

“I’m a little tired,” she said with a laugh. “I knew it was going to be a struggle coming in, but I need to do what’s best for my team and this would be best for the points.”

Stewart, favored to win the 1,600 on Saturday, picked up 20 valuable points for the Bruins with her two victories Friday.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

“It’s so exciting,” said Stewart, who was top-five in all three individual events in 2019. “It’s like momentum building into the 1,600. I’m just so happy to come back from freshman year (in 2019) and to have these opportunities again. It’s just a great feeling to come out with two state titles.

“It’s been a great meet so far. It honestly just keeps getting better and better.”

Stewart’s teammate, Parker Wolfe, cruised to the boys 3,200-meter championship in 9:07.87, but scratched in the 800 so he could focus on Saturday’s 1,600.

In the boys 800, Mountain Vista’s Harrison Witt set a 5A meet record with a time of 1:48.75. He cruised to the title by more than three seconds over the rest of the field. It’s the first individual state title for Witt, who helped the Golden Eagles win the 3,200 relay in 2019.

Grandview, meanwhile, dominated the relays on Friday – winning all three finals that were contested.

The Grandview girls won the 800 medley relay and 800-meter relay. Saniya Craft, Molly Skurcenski and Amber Davis were a part of both relays, while Ava Robinson ran on the 800 relay and McKenzie Droughns on the medley.

For the boys, Charlie Dick, Kahden Rullo, Evan  Johnson and David Maldonado teamed up to win the 800-meter relay for the Wolves.

In the only field events contested Friday in 5A, Brandon Hills of Vista Ridge won the boys long jump with a leap of 23 feet, 2 inches, while Fabiola Belibi of Regis Jesuit won the girls long jump with a leap of 18 feet.

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Class 4A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Erie has been chasing Air Academy all season in the boys 800-meter relay and on Friday, the Tigers finally caught the Kadets.

The team of Sean Thomas-Francisco, Mason Veve, Blake Donaldson and Quintin Hartel crossed the finish line in a school-record time of 1:29.52, edging rival Mead by just .56 of a second. Air Academy, the top seed coming in, was disqualified for a zone violation.

“It’s amazing,” Hartel said. “We’ve always known we had a good team since two great football players (Thomas-Francisco and Veve) came into the program. We’ve been working all year. We’re always ranked No.2  behind Air Academy. We use that as encouragement to run as hard as we could. It worked out and it’s amazing to come away with a school record and a state championship.”

Friday was another big day for Niwot, as well.

The favorite to repeat as girls champion, the Cougars took home three titles Friday, including a Class 4A meet record in the 800-meter relay. The Cougars finished in 1:39.49, just ahead of the previous record of 1:39.80, by Valor Christian in 2016.

Niwot also won the girls 800 medley relay and swept the individual 800 meters, with Madison Shults winning the girls race and Zane Bergen the boys race.

In the girls shot put, Northfield junior Giavonna Meeks was the overwhelming favorite, but injured her ankle during warm-ups and was taken to the hospital. Meeks, who won the discus on Thursday, was unable to compete. In her absence, Skyview senior Bahati Nabindu won the state title, with a season-best throw of 36 feet, 5.5 inches.

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Class 3A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Two down, one to go for Joshua Medina of Alamosa.

On Friday, the senior won the 800-meter run and 3,200-meter run for the first state titles of his career.

“It still hasn’t really sunk in,” he said. “It’s kind of unreal.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Runner-up at the state cross country meet earlier this year, Medina had an exceptional time of 9:28.27 in the 3,200 meters, beating Gunnison’s Alex Baca – who beat Medina in cross country – by nearly eight seconds.

In the 800, he hung on to post a time of 1:54.78 and get the win.

“All week I’ve been telling myself I’m going to triple crown, so it wasn’t unexpected,” said Medina, who will aim for the 1,600-meter title on Saturday. “I would say I expected to win, but it was certainly a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. With around 300 left (in the 800), I didn’t think I was going to win. I was just able to dig deep and pull through.”

Medina closed the 3,200 meters with a 63-second split, by far his fastest of the eight laps.

“I think they were both just kind of surreal,” he said. “I feel like the 800 afterwards was a lot more exciting  because I didn’t think I was going to come back on him and I did. The 3,200, pulling away like I did felt really good.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

While Medina is closing his career strong, Classical Academy’s Anna Willis is starting her career on a high note.

The freshman won the girls pole vault, becoming the fourth Willis sister to win the event at state for TCA. Andrea Willis won state titles from 2014-16, Erika Willis in 2017 and 2018 and Kristina Willis in 2019.

Anna posted a winning vault of 12 feet, 6 inches. She came up just short of the 3A state meet record set by Erika in 2018 (12-9). Andrea has the Colorado prep record, at 13-9 in 2016.

On the girls side, other champions included Peak to Peak’s Allison Beasley with a 22-second personal-best in the 3,200 meters (11:02.51); Jefferson Academy’s Aaliyah Robinson in the long jump (17-8.5); Lamar’s Alexandria Tice in the shot put (40-5.25); Coal Ridge’s Mikayla Cheney in the 800 (2:15.22); Eaton in the 800 medley relay (1:51.10); and Moffat County in the 800-meter relay (1:45.46).

On the boys side, other champions included Lutheran’s Noah Kelly in the pole vault (14 feet); Classical Academy’s Mitchell Anderson in the discus (150-2); Sterling’s Tucker Myers in the triple jump (45-2.75); and University in the 800-meter relay (1:29.79).

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Class 2A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Aiming for a team title, the Cedaredge girls took a big step forward on Friday with a pair of wins in relays. The Bruins took home state titles in the 800 medley relay and 800-meter relay and lead the team race, 34-23 over Hayden.

Seniors Baylee Harris and Kimmy Milholland teamed with junior Bailey Nelson and sophomore Kylee Terry to post a time of 1:52.55 in the medley, beating second-place Hayden by more than two seconds.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

In the 800 relay, Harris, Nelson and Terry teamed with senior Kammie Henderson to post a time of 1:49.62, just edging Hoehne by .25 of a second.

In other girls finals, Holyoke’s Lauren Herman won the discus with a throw of 126 feet, 1 inch; Isabel Case of Colorado Springs Christian won the 800 meters (2:23.41); and Hannah Grover of Platte Canyon won the pole vault (9-5) in a jump-off.

On the boys side, Wiggins junior Mohamed Ibrahim had a big day in the shot put. Although he came up short of his personal best, Ibrahim had a throw of 56 feet, 4 inches to win the title by nearly six feet over Wray’s Bryant Schoenthal (50-8). On Thursday, Ibrahim was second to Schoenthal in the discus.

Also on Friday, Connor Williams of Crested Butte pulled an upset in the 800 meters. Seeded fifth coming in, he ran a blistering time of 1:54.21 – more than 10 seconds better than his season-best – to win the title. Custer County’s Micah Zeller, the favorite coming in, also had a season-best time (1:57.61) to finish second.

Centauri took home a state title in the boys 800 relay, posting a time of 1:31.60.

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Class 1A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Just a sophomore, Maggie Haase of Eads had never been to state before this week, but she has looked comfortable at Jeffco Stadium.

On Friday, Haase won the girls high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 3 inches, and then finished third in the triple jump.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

“It was very exciting,” she said. I’ve never been to a state tournament before and I was just really looking forward to it. I’m so glad we could still have it with everything going on.”

Haase was favored to win both events and set a personal best in the high jump. In the triple jump, she came up short of her best, but still posted a solid leap of 33 feet, 9.5 inches.

Lone Star’s Alivia Weathers had a season-best jump of 34-8 to win the title, while Merino’s Taysa Conger had her best leap of the season (34-6) to finish second.

“I’m not disappointed getting third,” Haase said. “I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy for the other two jumpers. They deserve it.”

Heritage Christian dominated in the 3,200-meter relays, sweeping the titles. The boys team posted a time of 9:08.64 to win by 21 seconds, while the girls finished their race in 10:46.85 to win by nearly 11 seconds.

In other girls finals, Brakelle Westphal of Springfield won the 800 meters (2:28.93) and helped her team win the 800-meter relay (1:52.92).

In other boys events, Elbert’s Nick Dahm won the triple jump (41-10.25); DeBeque’s Trevor Lewis won the 800 (2:01.84); Prairie’s Erik Lebsock won the discus (138-4); and Cheyenne Wells had a strong final kick to win the 800 relay (1:36.30).

The second day of the state track and field meet at Jeffco Stadium saw more champions take their place on the podium.

LAKEWOOD — Live results from the Season D state track and field meet are below. Navigate to the event of your choosing with the menu.

More info:

• State track schedule
• Heat sheets

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(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

LAKEWOOD – Perfect weather led to a record-breaking day for the top pole vaulters in Class 4A on Thursday at the state meet at Jefferson County Stadium.

Thompson Valley’s Becker Ell and Silver Creek’s Megan Kelleghan both broke Class 4A state meet records en route to winning their first state titles.

Ell cleared 16 feet to cruise to the title and top the previous mark of 15-8.5, set by Sam Pierson of Pueblo South in 2006.

“It feels kind of surreal, especially because I’ve been trying at it for the last two or three meets and just getting closer and closer,” said Ell, a senior. “It just feels unreal, to be honest. I’m so stoked.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Ell had been the heavy favorite, coming in with a previous best of 15-7, nearly two feet ahead of anyone else. Still, he had to perform on the biggest stage.

“Nerves at the state meet your last year, it’s always kind of iffy and nerve-wracking, but I just went out there and wanted to have some fun and try to do as best as I could,” he said.

Kelleghan, just a sophomore, was also a heavy favorite and delivered with a vault of 13-4.5, a half inch above the previous mark of 13-4 by Andrea Willis of The Classical Academy in 2016.

“That was great,” she said. “It was very exciting because I’ve been so close. … Today it just pieced together. I was scared at first because there was supposed to be rain and wind. It ended up being perfect weather, so I’m very relieved with it and happy I was able to clear that.”

Kelleghan had a previous best of 13 feet, with nobody else better than 10-9 coming in. If there was pressure, however, she didn’t feel it.

“More pressure on myself, personally,” she said. “Even when I’m with people who vault close to me I try to stay in  my own little bubble around myself. You can’t compete against people in this because it’s all about the bar, it’s all about your form. It’s you and your own self. That’s what I try to think about.”

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 5A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Poudre’s Rhys Travis was the star on what is typically a light day for the state’s largest classification.

Only four state titles were awarded in 5A boys on Thursday, but Travis took two of them.

A junior, Travis won the boys high jump and triple jump. He was favored coming into state. In the high jump, Travis had a season-best leap of 6 feet, 7 inches, topping his previous best by two inches. In the triple jump, he was under his season best, but still had a leap of 46 feet, 3 inches to win the title.

Travis wasn’t the only athlete from Fort Collins to win a state title on Thursday.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Brooke Naughton of Fort Collins won the high jump with a leap of 5 feet, 7 inches. The junior was the favorite coming in.

In the boys shot put, Braiden Dishman of Fossil Ridge was projected to win and he came through. The senior had a throw of 52 feet, 3.25 inches to claim his title.

Also in field event, Lakewood senior Amanda Opp had a season-best throw of 40 feet, 9.5 inches to win the girls shot put, while Grandview senior Melody Nwagwu had a leap of 39 feet, 9 inches to win the girls triple jump.

On the track, just one event – the 3,200-meter relay – had a final in Class 5A. Cherry Creek cruised to the title on the girls side, with a time of 9 minutes, 5.73 seconds, while Mountain Vista won the boys title, in 7:57.13.

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Class 4A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

At the most recent state track and field meet, in 2019, Niwot swept the boys and girls team titles. The Cougars are aiming for a repeat performance this year and got off to a great start Thursday.

Senior Lucca Fulkerson won the girls 3,200 meters, with teammate Mia Prok finishing second. That duo then led the Cougars to a win in the 3,200 relay.

“Everybody has trained so hard, so it’s definitely within grasp,” Fulkerson said of a team championship. “Every day everybody is out there running as hard as they can, especially in the heat right now.

“I’m so proud of our whole team. Everybody deserves it and they work so hard. I’m so glad that they’re my teammates and I get to race with them.”

Fulkerson, who had three top-seven medals as a sophomore in 2019, won her first individual title in the 3,200.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

“It was definitely amazing,” she said. “I didn’t really think about anything until the last 20 meters, because I didn’t want to think with the last lap to go. It was really amazing and I was so excited.”

Niwot had four top-eight finishers in the girls 3,200 and scored 35 points on the day.

The boys, meanwhile, were led by junior Zane Bergen, who won the 3,200 meters and anchored the Cougars’ victory in the 3,200 relay.

In the 3,200, Niwot’s Simon Saia was second, with Grayden Rauba fourth. The Cougars closed the day with 34 team points.

“Kind of the plan going in was try to set up the race so that we could score as many team points as possible,” Bergen said. “We’re going for the team championship and we needed to score a decent amount of points in the two-mile to make that happen.

“It’s really, really cool (to win an individual title), but, like I said, I just came here to score the most points for the team as possible. I’m happy that we did that today in both events.”

The girls also set a 4A state meet record in the 800-meter relay prelims, posting a time of 1:39.72.

In the boys discus, Avery Shunneson of Thomas Jefferson won the title and set a new 4A state meet record. The Princeton-bound  Shunneson had a throw of 192 feet, 6 inches to shatter the record of 188-6 previously set by Pueblo East’s Kain Medrano in 2019.

In other events, Mitchell’s Daryon Wilson won the boys long jump with a leap of 23-5.25; Mullen’s Agur Dwol won the girls long jump with a leap of 18-11.25; and Northfield’s Giovanna Meeks won the girls discus with a throw of 141-2.

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Class 3A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Jefferson Academy’s Crisly Kelly-Cannon’s freshman track and field season was supposed to be in 2020, but the pandemic prevented that from happening. Based on what the sophomore has done so far in is state meet debut, it would have been fun to see what he could have done as a ninth-grader.

On Thursday, Kelly-Cannon won the first finals event he has competed in as a high schooler and qualified for several others throughout the meet. His mark of 23 feet, 1.5 inches in the long jump was also a Class 3A state meet record.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

“My freshman year was cancelled so I haven’t been to a state meet before,” Kelly-Cannon said. “It was weird because I went into my freshman year all hyped up and everything. I was ready to get started and then I had to take a year off. That threw us all off but I just hit the gym and started getting better and better.

“I’m feeling really good. I started off with the 100 today and PR’d in that. So that set me up for the long jump and energized me. In the 200, we ran into some headwind so that’s alright. It was a pretty good first day.”

Kelly-Cannon’s teammate Sierra Haberman won the 3A girls high jump, clearing 5-4.

In one of the most exciting races of the season, the Liberty Common 3,200-meter relay team edged The Classical Academy (8:15.11) in a photo finish to claim the title with a time of 8:15.08.

Holy Family’s Brody Welch won the 3A boys shot put with a mark of 50-4.5.

“They were getting close and I knew they could pop one as far as I did,” said Welch, who finished ninth as a freshman in discus and will try and improve on that tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. “Once I saw the last guys throw, I knew I had it.”

The Berthoud girls won the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 9:26.23.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

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Class 2A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Dayspring Christian’s Eboselulu Omofoma didn’t waste any time in winning her first state title.

Still just a freshman, Omofoma cleared a personal best 5-3.5 in the Class 2A high jump to win the state championship. It was an exciting opening day to her first state meet, but Omofoma also hopes her early-career victory is a sign of things to come.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

“I totally thought these other girls would come in and take first, second, third place,” Omofoma said. “But I PR’d by half an inch, so that’s great. God gave me the strength to do it. That’s it. I hope I can do better in the next years.”

Over on the track, Thursday was a good day for Buena Vista. Demons girls picked up a win in the 3,200 courtesy of Zaila Smith, who finished first with a time of 12:00.18.

The Wray girls won the 3,200-meter relay title with a time of 10:30.38.

Hayden’s Alison Rajzer won the girls triple jump, clearing 35-7.

On the boys side, Peyton won the 3,200-meter relay with a time of 8:29.76. Custer County’s Micah Zeller won the 3,200 with a time of 9:47.00.

Yuma’s Braden Smith cleared 13-01 to claim the pole vault gold.

True to his name, Limon’s Jeremiah Leeper won the triple jump with a mark of 42-6.75.

Wray’s Bryant Schoenthal won the 2A boys discus with a mark of 173-8.

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Class 1A

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

There were no preliminary races in Class 1A on Thursday, but several state titles were claimed in the classification.

In the 800 medley relay, Springfield won the gold with a time of 1:57.77.

(Brad Cochi/CHSAANow)

Heritage Christian’s Ainsley Stanton won the girls 3,200 in 12:44.87.

Lone Star’s Alivia Weathers won the 1A girls pole vault, clearing 10 feet.

Elbert’s Olivia Lay wont the discus with a mark of 127-5.

On the boys side, Heritage Christian runner Jack Nauman’s 10:27.15 was plenty fast enough to win the 3,200.

DeBeque’s Jaden Jordan won the long jump with a mark of 21-6.50.

Granada’s John Hainer threw 45-0.25 to win the discus.