Pieces are in place for Sierra

With a wealth of talent returning, Sierra looks to build on the success of last season, when it finished fourth at the Class 4A boys state track and field meet.

The Stallions are led by junior Kelby Dias, the defending state champion in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles. The 2007 runner-up 400 and 800 relay teams have everyone back.

The 400 relay team consists of seniors Taurean Jones, Anthony Baidoo and Mark Sterling and junior Dontre Walker. The 800 team is Dias, Sterling and seniors Tony Thompson and Clarence Bumpas. Senior Dominique Smith looks to improve on his sixth place in the shot put last year as well.

Coach Teenan Anderson has been around long enough to know that talent does not guarantee results and his team has much work ahead.

“On paper it looks like we could be very good,” the CHSAA Hall of Fame coach said. “But a lot of things have to take place. Kelby has one of the toughest challenges. It’s so difficult to repeat.”

Dominique Smith (sixth, shot put), Terrence Thomas, James Hairston-Abbot and Victor Scotland should complement the sprinters.

“We’ll get some field event points from our throwers,” Anderson said.

Fifth-place state finisher Widefield has high hopes for challenging the Stallions supremacy in the 4A Metro League with nine athletes returning. But inexperience is a concern.

“I’m hoping some of these kids emerge a little bit,” coach Fred Marjerrison said. “But I don’t think we’re going to sneak up on anyone.”

Senior sprinter Patrick Richards placed second at state in the 200 and 400 and fifth in the 100. He also anchors the 800 relay. Junior Derek McAllister is expected to place in the 400 this year after qualifying for state as a sophomore.

“Patrick will stand out as one of the top sprinters,” Marjerrison said.

Sophomore Steven Walker (10th at state, triple jump) is expected to contend in both the triple and long jumps. Senior Thomas Powers should make the Gladiators competitive in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 runs.

Falcon has the top-end talent to score significant points in a state meet, starting with the defending 100 champ Keenen Ballage, who will run for Colorado State next year.

Junior Wes Rickman, 2007 runner-up in the 3,200, is poised to dominate the distance events after winning the 3,200 at the Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho earlier this month. Kevin Johnson, fourth in the 3,200, will push Rickman. The pair also compete in the longer relays.

Class 5A

The boys league title is up for grabs with state runner-up Palmer losing Daniel Blackledge (32 of the Terrors’ 55 points) to graduation.

The Terrors have a strong group of jumpers, led by seniors Sean Wilson (second in state triple jump), Antoine Borden (long jump), Morgan Thomas (high jump) and junior Maurice Blackledge (long jump).

Doherty hopes to make a surge on the strength of sprinters Darius Turner and sophomore Kenny Chambers and its 400 relay team of Turner, Chambers, sophomore Daniel Funk and junior Young Han, which finished fourth at state.

“The boys team is looking at jumping up and improve to second or third,” said coach Rob Duensing, who expects Palmer to be the top team again.

Rampart, with two returning state qualifiers in seniors Will Reeves and Jeff Cook among 15 returning lettermen, could push the Terrors for the top spot. The Rams are strongest in the distance events.

CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0250 or sports@gazette.com