5A state track: Riley Stewart wraps up remarkable career and other highlights from Day 3
By Brian Howell/Boulder Daily Camera
Photo: Brad Cochi/CHSAANow
LAKEWOOD – Cherry Creek’s Riley Stewart had some mixed emotions Sunday afternoon.
After winning the state title in the Class 5A girls 1,600-meter run at Jeffco Stadium, the Bruins’ great closed the door on her remarkable prep career. But, she did so with excitement for a future that includes running for Stanford University.
“I’m kind of sad,” she said. “I’m excited but also sad to leave behind all my best friends and my coaches, but I’m on to bigger, better things. I’m just excited for the future, too.”
College is in her near future, but Stewart put a perfect cap on her prep career Sunday.
Winning the 1,600 gave Stewart three titles in four events this weekend. She also won the 3,200 and helped Cherry Creek win the 3,200 relay, while finishing second to teammate Kinsey Christianson in Saturday’s 800.
“Obviously, it’s pretty amazing,” she said. “It was a crazy meet with the weather delay and stuff, but Jeffco never disappoints. It’s always a special experience. To end it like this, I couldn’t think of a better way.”
Stewart finished with seven event state titles in her career, including four in 2021, but was overjoyed with adding a team title this year. The Bruins finished with 112 points to outlast Cherokee Trail (70.5) and Fort Collins (68).
This is the Bruins’ first state title in track and field since 2013.
“Honestly, I cannot think of a better way to end it,” she said. “Most of our team is seniors. We’re all going off to bigger and better things next year, but to end it all together, we all put in our best efforts this week. It was three days of pretty tireless running, but, honestly, it’s just amazing. I cannot think of anything better.”
In addition to Stewart’s grand finale in the 1,600, Cherry Creek got an exceptional meet from Christianson, who is headed to Iowa State. After beating Stewart in the 800 on Saturday, Christianson took the title in the 400 meters on Sunday. She crossed the finish line in 55.43 seconds to beat Monarch’s Julia Pattison (56.28).
“Obviously she’s developed this crazy speed this past year, and she’s an amazing athlete,” Stewart said. “I’m excited to see what she does in college, too.”
Christianson capped the meet by helping the Bruins win the 1,600-meter relay. She teamed with fellow seniors Iris Wang and Kel McDavid and junior Lily Esmas to post a time of 3:51.75. Grandview was second, at 3:58.76.
Wolves repeat
The Grandview boys didn’t have any individual champions this weekend, but the Wolves did have a deep team and some great relays. That formula produced the second consecutive team title for the Wolves.
Grandview finished with 96 points to win fairly easily. Cherokee Trail (69) won a close battle for second with Valor Christian (62) and Fort Collins (54).
The Wolves won the 400-meter relay on Sunday. Seniors Charlie Dick and Evan Johnson teamed with juniors Luke Trinrud and David Maldonado to finish in 41.37.
Grandview won the 800 relay on Saturday and had several individuals place throughout the weekend.
Surprise, surprise
Denver East senior Ben Kirk seemingly came out of nowhere to win the 5A boys 100 meters Sunday. Then, he pulled off a surprise win in the 200.
Kirk wasn’t among the favorites in either race, but clocked in at 10.94 to win the 100 and 21.43 to win the 200.
“Really (unexpected),” he said. “We were hoping I could peak right around here and I guess that’s what happened. I knew if I executed right, I could at least be top three. One and one is crazy.”
A year ago, Kirk qualified for state in both events, but was last in the 100-meter prelims and 12th in the 200 prelims.
“I’m proud of myself, man,” said Kirk, who is headed to UCLA. “It really hasn’t set in yet that I just won both. I’m sure it will later. Just an unreal feeling.”
A year ago, Fabiola Belibi of Regis finished as runner-up in the 5A girls 100-meter hurdles and the 300 hurdles.
“It hurt. I had a chip on my shoulder all year,” she said. “Hurdles was my focus this year.”
It paid off as Belibi swept both events on Sunday. She won the 100 hurdles in 14.29 to beat Gabriella Cunningham of Grandview (14.64) and then won the 300 hurdles in 43.27 seconds to beat Amelia Hubbell of Chatfield (43.89).
“It’s a dream come true,” the Harvard-bound senior said. “I got second in both of them last year so I really worked hard to come back and be in shape to be able to pull the double win. I’m so happy.”
Belibi won the long jump in 2021 and finished second this year. She said it was disappointing to not repeat, but Sunday’s hurdles “definitely did” make up for it.
“It means everything,” she said. “I do track every day the year – some breaks – but this is what I love to do and it feels great to just be validated that you’re good.”
Naughton completes sweep
Fort Collins senior Brooke Naughton put a cap on a great weekend, winning the girls triple jump on Sunday. She swept all three jumps, also winning the long jump on Thursday and the high jump on Saturday.
In Sunday’s triple jump, Naughton had a leap of 37 feet, 9.5 inches, tied with Kaeli Powe of Cherokee Trail, but Naughton won the tie-breaker.
Naughton closes her career as a four-time champion, as she also won the high jump in 2021.
In other individual events for 5A girls, Cherokee Trail’s Symone Adams won the 100 meters (12.18), while Haley Esser of Eaglecrest won the 200 (24.73). Pattison was second in both events.
Chatfield won the 400-meter relay in 47.89 seconds, just ahead of Eaglecrest (48.42). The Chargers won the 800 medley on Saturday.
Costelow, Bruns rack up titles
Valor Christian junior Drew Costelow completed a great meet by winning the 5A boys 1,600 meters with a time of 4:13.09. Rocky Mountain’s Dalton Kaines was second (4:15.42).
Costelow also won the 3,200 on Thursday and the 800 on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Rampart’s Carsen Bruns had a day to remember, as he swept the hurdles. He won the 110-meter hurdles in 14.31, just ahead of Cherry Creek’s PJ Robinson (14.39). He then won the 300 hurdles in 37.62, ahead of Grandview’s Malique Singleton (38.47).
Poudre’s Rhys Travis got a bit of redemption on Sunday after a disappointing high jump on Saturday. Travis rebounded to win the triple jump with a leap of 44-8.5, three inches ahead of Cherry Creek’s David Wardlaw.
It was the second consecutive triple jump title for Travis. He was also the defending champion in the high jump, but failed to clear a height on Saturday.
In the boys 400 meters, Castle View’s Ace Malone won his first career state title with a personal-best time of 47.18. Taylor Nichols of Douglas County won his first state title, taking the boys shot put with a throw of 51 feet, 7.75 inches.
To finish the meet, Cherokee Trail jumped into second place in the boys team standings with a victory in the 1,600-meter relay. Senior Ciaron Hyslop, junior Reuben Holness, sophomore Kahari Wilbon and freshman Peyton Sommers posted a winning time of 3:17.49. Cherry Creek was second (3:18.51).
