5A Boys Track & Field: Fort Collins’ 4×200 Relay Shatters Colorado State Record
By Courtney Oakes
Photo: Wallace Photography
LAKEWOOD – It took a little push, but that’s just what the Fort Collins boys 4×200 meter relay team needed.
The Lambkins knew they had a special performance in them and it came out Friday afternoon under hot conditions at Jefferson County Stadium.
Pushed to the limit by a variety of contenders in the Class 5A state finals, the Fort Collins team of seniors Andre Rose and DJ Ruff and sophomores Preston Mozer and Jackson Ruff turned in a time of 1 minute, 24.57 seconds, to set the Colorado state record, the CHSAA all-classification state meet record and the 5A state meet record.
“We all knew we could do it, it just took us longer than we thought,” said DJ Ruff, who ran the anchor leg. “For sure I was excited when I came through the line. I was hyped that we had won and I saw the time I was like ‘it’s a state record, that’s crazy.’”
The Lambkins said their previous season-best time was 1:26, but the push from other contenders such as Cherry Creek, Mountain Vista and Chaparral gave them a definite boost.
Mozer said he and Rose ran from the far side of the track to celebrate — “for the first time all year after running our 200s” — after they saw the result on the scoreboard. The Lambkins knocked off the previous mark of 1:24.93 set by Cherokee Trail in 2024.
“We had competition like Creek that really pushed us today and that really helped us,” Mozer said. “We PR’d like crazy. …This is definitely a special moment for us. This was one of our big goals for the end of the season, to become champions, and I guess we literally got it at the end of the season.”
The victory also boosted Fort Collins’ team point total in its quest to win the 5A state team title, as it has accrued 51 through eight scored events, while Broomfield is next with 33 and Cherokee Trail — which has won each of the last three state titles — is third with 29.
The Cougars graduated Peyton Sommers and some others who were key to their run, but still got some outstanding performances on the second day of the meet.
Cherokee Trail got a state championship in the high jump from senior Prince David Ajibade, who prevailed in a competitive conclusion. Fourth a year ago, Ajibade was the top seed in the event coming into state with a top effort of 6 feet, 7 inches, and that was the same height that ended up winning it for him.
Grandview freshman Finn Higgins burst onto the scene and cleared 6-6, while Ajibade and Cherry Creek junior Luke Saville each passed on the height after making it over 6-5. Ajibade and Saville both cleared 6-7, but each failed three tries at 6-9 and Ajibade’s fewer misses landed him the gold with Saville second and Higgins third.
“Last year coming from fourth and the year before not making state, it’s just so crazy to think I’m a state champion,” Ajibade said. “I’m not going to lie, as the top seed, I felt all the pressure. I was a little anxious, but I just had to remember either that I’m here and I can do it again and again. I’m really proud of myself and happy for everybody who helped get me here.”
Ajibade relished the camaraderie of the jumping group, as each new height was met with encouragement from the remaining group of contenders.
“My guy Luke didn’t have such a good meet last week, but I told him it was God’s plan and it would be better at state,” he said. “We were able to connect. It’s such a friendly sport and everybody works together. I love it.”
The most shocking state championship — at least to himself — went to Broomfield senior Andrew Heuton.
Discouraged greatly by his performance the previous day in the open 400 and as part of the 4×800 meter relay team (which finished fourth), Heuton didn’t hold out hope of even finishing in front of senior teammate Case Thomas, much less taking the top spot.
“I am in pure shock, genuinely,” Heuton said. “Yesterday, I ran horrendously. …I had the worst split ever in the 4×800 and just squeezed into the final in ninth in the 400. I didn’t know what was happening. I didn’t think it was going to happen today, so I’m in pure shock.”
Heuton eventually got a lead on a pack that included ThunderRidge senior Ben Lee — who was on a quest to win the 800 for a third-consecutive season — and managed to hold off a challenge from Cherokee Trail’s Dylan Smith and others to win in 1 minute, 52.30 seconds.
“I was sitting second and all I could think was ‘Ben Lee won last year in 1:51, so he’s going to beat me, he’s going to beat me’” Heuton said. “With 300 meters left, this is where I usually start fading and this is where it’s over, but this time I didn’t. I found the extra gear.”
Fort Collins senior Cadel Ruthven closed strong and edged Smith for second place.
Loveland junior Ashton Daly won the state title in the discus on the opening day of the meet and went for the sweep of the throws in the shot put.
Brighton senior Keith Robinson prevented that, however, as his second throw of his preliminarily flight sailed 54 feet, 3 inches, and he was the only one to come close to that for the rest of the competition. Daly’s best effort of 52-9 1/4 put him second, while Broomfield’s Donovan Brooks claimed third with a throw of 51-3 1/4.
The meet concludes Saturday with 10 more state champions crowned.
