A peek at one intriguing athlete for each classification and gender as the home stretch beckons
With the hundreds of standout track and field athletes in the state, it seems unfair to single out only one from each classification. But that's what we're about to do.
First, a few qualifiers: While this list features a single athlete to watch for each classification (one for each gender), it doesn't mean we are bestowing that athlete as the most outstanding performer of that respective class. The idea is to take a quick peek at an intriguing athlete, one that is on pace to do good things at state, and provide a quick update.
Boys and girls outlook stories in the previous weeks highlighted numerous athletes from each classification, but as the season approaches its midway point, here is one for each classification to keep tabs on the rest of the way.
Class 5A
Boys: Christian Lyon, Fountain-Fort CarsonSprinters in the big classification are always compelling, and the Trojans junior definitely fits the bill. His 10.62 in the 100-meter dash is the fastest in the state this season regardless of classification. His 21.37 is best in 5A (second overall) and his 49.96 in the 400 is third-best in 5A and sixth statewide.
Girls: Arria Minor, Denver EastGet used to hearing this name. The freshman imprinted her mark Saturday at Mullen-based Runners Roost, darting to state season-best times in the 100 (11.64) and 200 (23.65). She also ran an impressive 55.20 in the 400 a day earlier at Thomas Jefferson. Those account for the top three times in the nation for a freshman.
Class 4ABoys: Nik Chappee, Air Academy (US Air Force Academy)The senior has blazed to the top times in the state, regardless of classification, in the 200 (21.27) and 400 (48.14). And he didn't accumulate those numbers on one good day. His performance in the 200 came at the Terror Invitational on April 2 and the 400 output occurred a week later at Runner's Roost.
Girls: Katie Rainsberger, Air AcademyThe Kadets get the boys-girls sweep for 4A, as the Gatorade National Runner of the Year is just too phenomenal to overlook. The Oregon-bound senior possesses the state's top time in the 800 (2:11.80) and 1,600 (4:44.31). She won those two events and the 3,200 last season at state, but doesn't have a posted time for the latter yet this season.
Class 3A
Boys: Parker Joens, Platte Valley (Kersey)No one in the state throws the shot put like Joens. The defending state champion in the event recently threw a Broncos school record 54 feet, 9 inches at the University Invitational, a mark that stands as the best in the state including all classes. His throw of 156 feet in the discus is good for second-best in 3A and sixth-best statewide.
Girls: Tarynn Sieg, EatonSeems as if 3A is the place for the standout shot put athlete. Sieg is the reigning state champ (as is her Eaton squad as a whole) and Sieg is back at it again. Her throw of 43-9 is more than 2 feet ahead of her closest pursuer and more than 3 feet farther than anyone in 5A. Her discus launch of 139-5 is tops in 5A and ranks third statewide.
Class 2ABoys: Paul Roberts, LyonsWho else? The distance extraordinaire, a four-time cross country state champ, boasts the state's top time in the 3,200 this season by a long shot. His output of 9:18.13 is more than 12 seconds better than the next closest,
Henry Raymond of 5A
Poudre (Fort Collins). Roberts' 4:21.45 in the 1,600 is tops in 2A and third-best statewide.
Girls: Kayla Zink, Caliche (Iliff)When it comes to the 100, Zink is accustomed to being chased by
Brittany Fuchs of
Calhan. When it comes to the 200, Zink is the chaser. As freshmen last season, the tandem finished Nos. 1 and 2 in each event, with Zink winning the 100 and Fuchs the 200. Things haven't changed much as each tops the 2A leaderboard in her respective event.
Class 1A
Boys: Zane Bearfoot, CherawOftentimes, hurdle aficionados stick to the hurdles. Bearfoot isn't one of those. While he possesses the classification's top time in each the 110 and 300 hurdles, he also tops the 1A charts with an 11.52 run in the 100. The 5-foot-7 senior also is a regular on the Wolverines' football and basketball teams.
Girls: Zariah Mason, KimSeeing that Mason won state titles in the 100 and 200 as a freshman last season, perhaps it's no shocker that she's back atop the leaderboards in each. But a closer look reveals that Mason ran the 100 in 12.68 at the Lamar Invitational. Last season, her 12.72 in the event set a state-meet record, one that's now in serious jeopardy.
