Dove Creek’s track teams will be well represented at the Colorado High School State Track and Field Championships in Lakewood, May 17-19.
Junior thrower JD Dennison’s raw power and solid technique has placed him among the state’s best throwers.
He opens his two-event slate when he competes in the shot put on May 17. Currently the top-ranked Class 1A shot put thrower in the state with a mark of 44 feet, 11 inches, Dennison faces competition from South Baca High School’s Thomas Manuel (44 feet, 9¼ inches) and Otis High School’s Keylan Dracon (43 feet, 10½ inches).
Dennison will also compete in the discus on May 18 and will try to chase down Hanover High School’s Isaia Jarvis, whose throw of 141 feet, 10 inches, was the best regular-season throw by a Class 1A competitor this year. Dennison is ranked fourth with a season-best mark of 130 feet, 10 inches.
Ranked as one of the top freshmen in Colorado’s 1A classification, Dove Creek newcomer Kobie Beanland enters this year’s state meet hoping to cap an impressive season.
The freshman will run for the first time in a state meet on May 18 in the 800-meter run. Beanland’s entry time of 2:32.59 was the fifth-best time in Class 1A this season and the second-best for a freshman.
Beanland will run in the 400-meter dash on May 19 and will do her best to run down Briggsdale High School senior Skyla Miller, whose 1:00.53 was the best in the 1A classification this season. Beanland’s entry time of 1:04.06 ranks her sixth.
Dove Creek takes three state qualifiers to hurdling events.
Larissa Randolph enters the meet ranked fifth in the 300-meter hurdles (50.52) and seventh in the 100-meter hurdles (17.52). Beanland will compete in the 300-meter hurdles ranked fourth (50.41), and junior Madilyn Hankins will compete in the 300-meter hurdles ranked ninth.
DeBeque High School junior Faith Novess is ranked No. 1 in both hurdling events.
Dove Creek also will hit the track for the girls’ 4x400-meter and 4x800-meter relay. Both teams are ranked fourth.
