A large collection of Four Corners athletes will compete this weekend at the state track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood Thursday through Saturday.
After one of the best seasons in program history, Montezuma-Cortez senior Zander Cruzan sets his sights on the state’s highest prize. The sprinter qualified in four events – the maximum allowed by CHSAA – as he seeks his first state title.
Cruzan ranks second in the 100, 200 and 400 meters and will compete in the high jump as part of a big weekend.
He’ll be joined by a state-qualifying boys 4x100 relay squad for head coach Bob Archibeque, while the girls program will send freshman Marlee Mack, who will make her maiden trip to state in the 100 and 300 hurdles.
After tearing up the local circuit with high-caliber performances this spring, the Dove Creek boys and girls teams will send a bundle of athletes to contest for podium spots in the 1A state championships.
The senior-laden Bulldogs will showcase plenty of talent in relays, field events and hurdles for coach Jason Fury. Seniors Kade Hankins and Trista Barnett get top billing after qualifying in both hurdle distances.
Hankins, who also will long-jump, will join freshman Bobby Pastorius in the 300 hurdles. Junior Cody Alexander made the field in the 110 hurdles.
Kendall Gardner made the field in the discus, long jump and triple jump, and classmate Quaden Huffaker will compete in both horizontal jumps and the 200 meters. Cole Taber advanced into the long jump, and the Bulldogs will be well stocked in the relays, as all four Bulldogs relay teams will compete.
The girls team sends a pair of relays (4x100 and 4x800), in addition to senior Tara Glover qualifying in both throwing events, joined by Rylee Hickman in the discus. Sophomore Ralynn Hickman earned a spot in the long jump to round out the Dove Creek qualifiers.
Bears freshman Micheal Rantz will represent Dolores in the 400 meters. He’ll contend in the 2A meet alongside the Mancos contingent of sophomore Spencer Eschallier and Jonah Ritter in the high jump, junior Levi Martin in the long jump, Brooke Jabour in the 800 and Teagan Archer in the 3,200.
