In the days leading up to last week's San Juan Basin League Championship, members of the Dolores High School track teams grew increasingly excited.
By the time the meet started, excitement had reached a fever pitch and over the next two days, the results of that excitement showed.
Girls team qualifies several for state
Competing in Grand Junction, May 9-10, the Bears girls team turned in an outstanding performance, finishing second overall in the league.
Leading the way for the girls was Taylor Elder, who finished first overall in the long jump (15 feet, 8 ¼ inches). By virtue of her impressive jump, Elder qualified for state.
Also winning top honors for Dolores was Olivia Wright, who finished first overall in the 400-meter dash (1:04.33). Wright will compete in the 400 at state.
Falling just short of top honors, yet turning in two stellar performances nonetheless, Brianna Schwartz finished second in the 100 hurdles (17.69) and second in the 300 hurdles (50.81). Schwartz qualified for state in both events.
Larissa Umberger finished second in the long jump (14 feet, 4 ½ inches) and third in the 100 hurdles (18.03), Shavargus Noyes finished fifth in the 100 hurdles (21.67) and Jessica Schliesser finished seventh in the shot put (24 feet, 7 inches) and eighth in the discus (91 feet, 10 inches).
Thanks to her solid performance, Umberger qualified for state in the 100 hurdles. Bears hurdler Kelly Charles will also compete at the state meet in the 300 hurdles.
In addition to the girls team's solid individual performances, the group enjoyed several solid performances in the relays.
In the 4x200-meter relay, Kelly Charles, Elder, Schwartz and Olivia Wright finished first overall (1:52.78) and in the 4x400 relay, the same group finished first overall (4:23.73).
Charles, Elder, Wright and Larissa Umberger placed second in the sprint medley relay (1:59.53) and qualified for state.
Boys team continues to improve
Although the boys team failed to record as many top finishes as their female counterparts, the group performed well.
Leading the way for the boys was senior Ethen Upton, who, despite having to depart the meet early due to a commitment to the Dolores baseball team, finished fourth in the discus (121 feet, 1 inch).
Also notching a top-five performance was Jackson Vermule, who finished fifth in the triple jump (35 feet, 6 ¾ inches).
Other top finishers included Ruben Gomez, who finished eighth in the long jump (15 feet, 11 ¼ inches) and Rylan Huff, who finished 12th in the 100-meter dash (12.58).
Competing in the state meet for the boys team will be the 4x100 relay made up of Tristan Holgate, Damien Marquez, Vermule and Gomez. The Bears 4x200 relay composed of Upton, Mikeal Ford, Rylan Huff and Guy Wallace.
"I'm just happy we're taking as many (to state) as we're taking," said Bears' head coach Nick Kohler. "Hopefully we'll make a few finals and everybody will be happy."
The Colorado State Track and Field Championships will take place in Lakewood, May 15-17.
