Doherty coach expects results

With a strong group returning, Doherty coach Rob Duensing is making bold predictions about the Spartans’ chances in 5A track.

“Last year was the best team Doherty ever fielded and we’re going to finish better than last year,” he said. “We’re going to be one of the top three in the state.”

Duensing is counting on senior Carly Allen to lead the Spartans girls after she scored 24 points in the 2007 state meet, finishing third in the triple jump and 300 meter hurdles, fourth in the 100 hurdles and sixth in the long jump.

“Carly is the top returning track athlete in the state,” Duensing said.

Junior Summer Winters, fifth place in the high jump, will also compete in the long and triple jumps. Junior Lynnea Sjoerdsma is the Spartans’ top distance runner.

Sand Creek, Palmer and Rampart should all challenge Doherty in the 5A Metro.

Sand Creek returns 14 letter-winners, including state qualifiers Jen Bremser (distance), Marri Richardson (hurdles/relays), Mayowa Pamphille (relays), Elly Anstett (relays) and Erin Logan (relays), all juniors.

For Palmer, discus champion and senior Karen Wyatt leads the way, along with Chauneice Davis (sprints/relays). Senior Erika Karsh (middle distances), juniors Jaimee Cichowitz (pole vault) and Jade McAfee (sprints) and sophomores Sam Stempke (triple jump/400) and Med Rudy (distance) give the Terrors a well-rounded team.

Rampart returns pole vault champion and state record-holder Kelli Ehardt and state-qualifying sprinter Sara Benson.

Class 4A

Defending Metro champ Woodland Park, which returns eight state qualifiers, will contend once again.

Coach Ron Payton acknowledged the Panthers don’t rely on one person.

“We’re a pretty good team,” Payton said. “If we get a bunch of kids doing pretty well I’ll be satisfied. We’re going to score points in just about all areas.”

Juniors Natasha Burns, Cassidy Nettles, Cosette Chaput and Ariel Austin give the Panthers four able jumpers, and senior distance runner Jamie Welch should do well.

Sierra, which finished fourth in the 2007 state meet, will make a strong case for the top spot behind standout junior Samantha Thompson, runner-up in the 800 and fifth in the 1,600, and sprinter Cecilee Steele.

“We’ve got a very good sprinter and a very good distance runner,” Stallions coach Teenan Anderson said. “We should do well with that.”

Cheyenne Mountain should be in the hunt. Senior sprinter Joy O’Hare, who was runner-up in the 100 and 200, fifth in the 400 and anchored the state champion 400 relay team, leads the Indians, who also return state qualifiers Kita Alvares (hurdles/relays), Casey Moher (sprints) and Claire Daniel (distance).

Widefield hopes to crash the party with 13 returning letter-winners, led by throwers Joy Warrington (third in shot put), Deborah Sagapolutele (second, discus) and Rebecca Miller.

Warrington took fifth in the shot put at the national Simplot Games in Pocatello, Idaho, earlier this month with a throw of 42 feet, 2¼ inches — 3 feet, 2 inches better than defending state champion Liz Johnson’s throw in the state meet.

“It’s going to be a pretty tough league,” Gladiators coach Fred Marjerrison said.