Woodson returns from hamstring injury in solid fashion for Fountain-Fort Carson

It may have been the Spartan Invite, but Fountain-Fort Carson’s Markesh Woodson crashed the party in a big way.

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Running in his first meet of the season, Woodson, who injured his hamstring on the second day of practice, made his return in style Saturday.

The F-FC senior sprinter took first in both the 100-meter dash (10.79 seconds) and the 200 (22.34). Most importantly for him and his teammates, he was pain free.

“It’s great to be back, but today I wasn’t trying to go all out because I wanted to see how my hamstring would be,” the Missouri signee said. “I hadn’t qualified for state since I hadn’t raced yet and that was important for me today too.”

Woodson has been a pillar of the last two Trojans teams — both state championship seasons — and his presence and ability to step right in and win brought a large smile to coach Ben Montoya’s face.

“I’m sure Markesh is a little tired today since it was his first meet of the year and he had to run five times,” Montoya said. “We’re very happy to have him back because obviously he makes a giant difference.”

Woodson’s triumphant comeback helped his squad to the team win at Garry Berry Stadium as the Trojans posted 120.5 points. Doherty was the only team close to its 5A Metro rivals, scoring 109.

“We knew Fountain was going to bring a full team to this meet and that they are very good, and I think this is a good setup for next week at the CSML championships,” Doherty coach Rob Duensing said. “We mixed it up and made some substitutions in some of our relays today so we have some options for next week and we found a few young sprinters doing well today.”

One of those young guys is sophomore Josh Wiggins, who placed third in the 200 in 23.03.

“We have a lot of talent and young guys stepping up on this team and setting PRs each week,” Wiggins said. “Markesh is something else. He works so hard and my main goal is to be the main guy in the city like him.”

Another familiar name to high school sports fans in the city, DJ Hanes of Wasson, showed why he’s a legit threat to win the state long jump title in 4A. Hanes’ jump of 21 feet, 7 inches was tops in the meet, and he is ranked third in the state.

“I want to break the school record and then see how far I can jump at state,” said the junior who also stars in basketball and football for the Thunderbirds. “I just always try to increase my abilities no matter what sport I’m in.”

Discovery Canyon (60) and Falcon and Coronado (57 each) rounded out the top five teams.