LAKEWOOD – Ryan Martinez has plenty of confidence in his ability, and the Eaton pole vaulter wouldn’t let himself believe anything less than he was destined for greatness on Thursday.

At Jefferson County Stadium, Martinez was among the top highlights on Day 1 of the track and field state championships. The junior not only won the Class 3A boys pole vault title, he also cleared 15 feet, 5 inches to set the 3A state meet record.

“When I left the house, I gave my parents a hug and told them, ‘The next time I hug you, I’m going to be a state champion,’” Martinez said. “I saw the record coming too. I have the confidence in myself that I can go any height and go bar-for-bar with anybody here, and I proved that today.

“I felt good from the moment I woke up this morning. Then I got here and there was perfect weather, no wind. There was great competition, but I came out on top. It just felt good.”

Liberty Common senior Justin Bate was runner-up. His mark of 15 feet, 2 inches also topped the previous 3A state meet record (15-1) held by Sterling’s Truitt Parish.

When University’s Johnny Whyrick went to the track and field state championships as a junior in 2023, he found at least some sense of ease knowing it wouldn’t be his last shot at a state title.

Without that do-or-die pressure, Whyrick won his first state championship.

Knowing that Thursday’s track and field championships at Jefferson County Stadium would be his last time competing in high school – and likely in the event, period – the defending champ felt like there was a little more on the line than before. But still, the Bulldogs senior rose to the occasion once again and defended his title with a winning throw of 159 feet, 5 inches.

“It’s a little bit more special because it’s probably my last time throwing discus, so it’s a really special moment for me,” Whyrick said. “I think it was my second throw that I threw the 159. I just prayed to God, gave it all to him and hoped that I could throw it out there as far as I could. And I did.”

The Classical Academy’s Noah Osterloh defended his 3A boys triple jump title, jumping 43-9.5 to claim another. Teammate Jordan Wenger (43-0.45) was runner-up.

In another title defense for The Classical Academy, senior Matthew Edwards won the 3,200-meter run with a time of 9:28.32.

In the 3,200-meter relay, Berthoud – Aiden Malherbe, Afton Cooper, Benjamin Clopper and Tate Bothun – won gold with a time of 8:00.17.

The track and field state championships will continue on Friday starting at 9 a.m.