Day One Summary of Colorado Results
The Simplot Games, the unofficial ending of the indoor season for most Colorado athletes, are underway in Pocatello, Idaho.
Thursday evening's action was limited to qualifying rounds of the 1600 and 3200, plus the finals of the weight throw.
Seeing that the weight throw isn't exactly a hotly-contested event on the Colorado indoor circuit, it will surprise none to learn that no Colorado throwers placed in either event. In fact, both events were roundly dominated by club entries from Throw1Deep, a throwing mecca out of Marietta, Georgia.
The 3200 and 1600, on the other hand, are rightfully considered an area of strength for the Colorado contingent.
Area of strength or not, though, the Colorado entries found the competition very tough in Pocatello. Josh Conner of Cherokee Trail and Jason Kearns of Arapahoe was Colorado's top finisher in the 3200, clocking times of 10:00 and 10:15 for 15th and 23rd placs, respectively. Conner missed making the finals by a single place.
Erin Kelly of Crested Butte, however, did work her way into the final found of the girls 3200 by placing 8th with a time of 11:46.
Colorado's entries fared much better in the 1600 qualifying rounds. Kat Robinson (Nederland) and Ryan Russ (Mullen), both running under the Ric Rojas colors, plus Karli Foreman (Durango) and Lauren Shoemaker (Arapahoe) each survived the cut. Kat Robinson posted the top mark for the Colorado girls with a time of 5:22.09.
The boys witnessed a similar measure of success with Roblet Muhudin (Overland) taking top in-state honors with second place in 4:27.33. Other Colorado entries making the cut were Alex Dillenbeck, Lewis Commons, Ashi Guiles, Evan Fiala, and Colin Brewster, all with times of 4:40 or better.
The finals for the 1600 and 3200 will be contested Saturday afternoon.