Setting a state record in a track and field event seems more hallowed than doing so in virtually any other prep sport. Here's why:
If, say, a running back sets a yardage record, many external factors can be attributed. Was he in a watered-down league? Did he play more games than the previous record-holder? Did an overtime game afford him the extra carries to achieve the feat?
In track, a 100-meter dash of 10.11 seconds in 1973 is the same as a 10.11 now. A shot put throw of 65 feet in 1985 required the same skill level of doing so in the current times. Track and field events are defined by noble units of measure mostly absolved from extraneous variables.
With that in mind, here's a peek at some Colorado records that could be in jeopardy at this week's state track meet (Thursday through Saturday, Jefferson County Stadium).
On the boys side relay records are in the most peril. On the girls side, in a season that has included vast individual accomplishments by standouts such as sprinters
MaryBeth Sant and
Ana Holland, distance runner
Elise Cranny and discus extraordinaire
Valarie Allman, many records were shattered during the season.
For the boys, the 4 x 100 relay record is being threatened by
Fountain-Fort Carson (Fountain). The Trojans turned in a time of 41.46 seconds at the Spartan Invitation, less than a half-second from Overland's record time of 41.21 in 2007.
But hold on for a split second. FFC's
Solyde Bankston, perhaps the team's most decorated sprinter, might miss the meet due to a hamstring injury.
Jai'Shawn Thompson,
Tevin Donnell and
Charles Tigner are still in the fold, and
Donte Jones might have to replace Bankston.
"We're always hoping for a little better time, but we'll see what happens," said FFC coach Ben Montoya, who believes Jones is a capable fill-in. "My guy who oversees the relays (Craig Kimball), he's going to make a few little changes here and there, so we'll see how that works.
"They're definitely aware of the record. They're aware of how fast their running."
Cherokee Trail (Aurora) also has been blazing in the relay events. Coach Chris Haust believes it will be a difficult task to overthrow FFC in the 4 x 100, but likes the Cougars' chances in the 4 x 200 and the 4 x 400. He should, too, because they just missed state records in those events in the regular season.
The quartet
Devin Arnold,
MarKeith Bailey,
Jaylyn Mars and
Brandon Singleton ran a 1:26.84 in the 4 x 200 at the Titan Track Clash (1.55 seconds shy of George Washington's record in 2007) and 3:16.54 in the 4 x 400 at the Centennial League championships. That was 1.81 seconds behind Rangeview's 2012 record.
The primary focus at the state meet, however, won't be records for the Cougars.
"I'm not sure if all four of those guys will be in the 4 x 4, because at that point in the state meet, it's going to be about scoring points," Faust said. "These are all very team-oriented guys, and it's about how many points we can score at the state meet, not necessarily how fast they can run."
What Faust is saying is that he might split the sprinters up into different events in hopes of finding the best combination to place high. He also pointed out that oftentimes records are difficult to shoot for on the third day of state (when the 4 x 400 final is), because the athletes are worn out from several days of intense competition.
Of note, the longest standing boys record is the triple jump, where Harrison's Victor White has maintained the glory since 1973 (51 feet, 0.25 inches). It appears safe for another year, as
Connor Turnage of
Highlands Ranch) had the best regular-season triple jump at 48-8.75.
On the girls side, it has been a year of seeing records fall by the wayside.
Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch)'s Sant, all 5-foot-1, 100 pounds of her, has posted the nation's fastest time in the 100 meter dash this season at 11.38 (at the St. Vrain Invitational).
The state meet record is 11.34, and the overall state mark is 11.31, set by Caryl Smith of George Washington (Denver) in 1987.
Regis Jesuit (Aurora)'s Holland set two records this season — 23.29 in the 200 and 53.58 in the 400 — but is hardly a shoo-in to win state titles in either. Sant was close behind Holland with a 23.91 in the 200 and
Alleandra Watt of
Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) was right on Holland's heels with a 53.78 in the 400.
Perhaps the most hallowed mark to fall this season was Boulder legend Melody Fairchild's time in the 1,600, which was one-upped by
Niwot's Cranny.Her time of 4:47.56 at the Boulder County Invitational beat Fairchild's 22-year-old record by 2.3 seconds.
Allman, a standout athlete from
Silver Creek (Longmont), set the state discus record with a throw of 183-3 this season at the Runner's Roost meet. That throw is nearly 50 feet farther than any other competitor this season.
Also of note for the girls,
Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village)'s
Jordyn Colter is the favorite to win the 3,200. She was the prohibitive favorite to win the state 5A cross country meet in the fall but was injured during the race. Her time of 10:39.31 in the 3,200 was the fastest in the state this season.
In addition, relay teams from Pine Creek, Arapahoe (Centennial) and Fort Collins all appear poised for medals.
The longest standing girls record is Sharon Burrill's high jump mark of 6-1. The John F. Kennedy athlete did it in 1978. That one also appears safe, as no one has cleared higher than 5-6 this season.
