LAKEWOOD – Peak to Peak junior Kourtney Rathke has a shot to win four state titles this weekend in Class 3A.

On Friday, she got halfway to that goal.

At the state track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium, Rathke won the 3A girls long jump and pole vault, repeating as champion in both events. 

“It’s so exciting,” Rathke said of winning both events. “It’s always fun to come out here and see all the girls in the state and just compete, rain or shine.”

On a rainy and overcast day, Rathke posted a new Class 3A meet record in the pole vault, at 13 feet, defeating Anna Willis of Classical Academy (11-0). Earlier in the day, Rathke had a leap of 18 feet, 2 inches to win the long jump over Harrison’s Michaela Cruickshank, who was second (17-6).

In the pole vault, Rathke came up short of her season-best (13-2), but broke the meet record of 12-11 that she set a year ago.

“It felt really good,” he said. “I was super excited to break my meet record. I’ve struggled a little bit outdoor season coming off a really good indoor, so I’m just excited to kind of get back up there and vault with some fun girls.”

“I’ll take any day over 13.”

On Saturday, Rathke is among the favorites in the 100-meter hurdles and the triple jump. A year ago, she was second in the hurdles and third in triple jump.

“I think it set the tone (for the weekend),” she said of Friday’s performance.

Classical Academy’s Jordan Wenger won his second consecutive state title in the boys triple jump. A junior, Wenger had his best jump of the season at 45 feet, 7.5 inches to win the crown. He had fouled on three of his first five attempts, but had his best in his last attempt to knock off Eaton’s Zac Grable (45-0.5).

In the boys pole vault, University’s Nicholas Rothe knocked off defending champion Justin Bate of Liberty Common. Rothe, a sophomore, vaulted a personal best 14 feet – 5 inches past his previous best – to take the title. Bate, who won as a sophomore last year, vaulted 13-6 to place second.

Austin Tice of Estes Park and Caleb Sutter of Resurrection Christian have battled for the top spot in the 3A boys 800 all season and they had an entertaining matchup Friday. Tice wound up edging Sutter for the title, finishing in 1:54.49, while Sutter crossed the line in 1:54.85.

Matthew Edwards came in as the favorite in the boys 3,200 meters and he showed why with an impressive performance, crossing the finish line in 9:20.88 to win the title. Defending champion Logan Gullett of Eaton was second, coming in at 9:23.20.

After winning the shot put on Thursday, University’s Johnny Whyrick won the discus on Friday. He had a winning throw of 149 feet, 5 inches to cruise to the title. Lamar’s Brocc Brodecky was second, at 144-6.

Northridge took the title in the boys 800 relay, out-kicking Classical Academy at the finish. Northridge crossed the finish line in 1:30.02, and Classical Academy in 1:30.35.

A strong kick in the final 100 meters helped Berthoud’s Jaycee Williams claim the title in the girls 800 meters. Williams finished in 2:13.20 to edge Avery Marr of Prospect Ridge, who posted a time of 2:14.17.

In the girls 3,200, senior Sarah DeLaCerda of Alamosa won the title with a time of 11:04.13. Quinn Smith of Salida came in second, at 11:08.08.

Coal Ridge sophomore Brilee Jensen had a great day on Friday, posting a personal record winning in the girls shot put. Jensen posted a throw of 38 feet, 9.5 inches to win the event by three feet over second-place Jaedyn Kohn of Woodland Park (35-9.5). Jensen’s previous best throw was 38-4.

Holy Family won the girls 800-meter relay in a tight battle with Classical Academy. Holy Family closed strong to finish in 1:43.23, while Classical Academy finished in 1:43.98.

Coal Ridge successfully defended its title in the 800 spring medley relay, winning in 1 minute, 52.14 seconds. Elizabeth was second, 1:53.06.