LAKEWOOD – Mountain Vista had owned the Class 5A boys 3,200-meter relay before getting knocked off the throne a year ago.
On Thursday, the Golden Eagles regained their title in record-breaking fashion.
During the first day of the Class 5A state track and field meet at Jefferson County Stadium, Mountain Vista posted a blistering time of 7 minutes, 42.58 seconds to not only win the title, but set a new Colorado prep record.
The previous state meet and Colorado prep record had been the 7:45.10 that Smoky Hill posted in 2001.
“It was in the back of our minds, but really the goal was just to win,” said senior Tyler Downs, who ran the anchor leg. “We knew that if we ran hard, competed well that the record would just take care of itself.
“I saw (the time) in the homestretch and just tried my best to put one foot in front of the other and just go for it. It made it all the more special, getting the state record at state. It’s just a great experience, great memory and just a great day.”
Downs teamed with Benji Anderson, Daniel Romalia and Jack Simmons for the win, a year after the Golden Eagles finished as runner-up to Cherokee Trail. This was the fourth win in the last five state meets in this event for the Golden Eagles.
“It motivated us a lot,” Downs said of finishing second last year. “We really pushed for it last year and we fell short, but we just knew we needed to work really hard and put our heads down and work and it would just take care of itself.”
Last year’s champion, Cherokee Trail, didn’t go down without a fight. The Cougars also challenged Smoky Hill’s record, finishing in 7:45.69.
The Mountain Vista boys were still celebrating their title when the Golden Eagle girls made it a sweep. The MVHS girls finished the 3,200 relay in 9:05.05 to cruise past second-place Air Academy (9:08.58).
Chatfield junior Charlie Lafore, meanwhile, won his first state title, cruising to the top of the podium in the shot put. Seventh a year ago, Lafore had a winning throw of 55 feet, 8.75 inches, easily topping second-place Jarrius Ward of Overland (53-1).
“I put in a lot of work over the summer and it feels great,” Lafore said. “I really only started lifting weights in August and I’ve made a lot of progress and just fine-tuning the elements in my technique, getting smooth at the back and aggressive at the front and just working on consistency.”
Lafore came in as the top seed, with a season-best throw of 60-8.5, and he got rid of his nerves quickly on Thursday.
“Going into my first throw … my coach told me to hit 55 and I hit 55 even and all the nerves kind of dissipated,” he said. “I didn’t throw too well after, but I just opened it up nice and easy and just went from there.”
Horizon’s Kaleb Kimaita also won his first title, with a leap of 6 feet, 6 inches in the high jump. Defending champion Daniel Thomason of Fruita Monument finished as runner-up with a leap of 6-5.
Rangeview senior Micah Dobson had a leap of 46 feet, 1.5 inches to cruise to the title in the 5A boys triple jump. Dobson had the lead throughout the competition, including a leap of 45-7 on his fifth attempt. His sixth and final leap sealed the title, however. Castle View’s Josiah Billington was second, with a jump of 44-7.75.
In the girls triple jump, Pine Creek senior Joy Nnantah finished first with a leap of 38 feet, 5.75 inches. She was fourth a year ago. Cherokee Trail sophomore Kaeli Powe finished as runner-up (37-8) for the second year in a row.
In the girls high jump, Valor Christian junior Farrah Eike won the championship with a leap of 5 feet, 5 inches. She edged a trio of competitors who leaped 5-3. Rock Canyon’s Petra McGowan and Rampart’s Ciara Piffarerio tied for second.
Ralston Valley junior Ella Brooks won the shot put with a throw of 37 feet, 3.75 inches. Brooks won by more than a foot, as Fossil Ridge’s Erin Harrmann was second at 36-0.5.