Wirth, Wolverine boys finish 11th
Written by: Joel Priest
5/25/2007
When Day Two of the 86th Annual Colorado State Boys’ Track and Field Championships commenced on Saturday, the eyes of people in the know were already directed toward the north end of Dutch Clark Stadium, flanked by the Arkansas River.
For one Bayfield Wolverine had a legitimate shot at besting a Class 3A standard, set three years ago by another Wolverine, whose father the current pole vaulter now calls ‘Coach.’
Before competing at Paradise Valley Community College (Phoenix, AZ), Drew McClure—son of ‘Doctor Dan’ McClure—cleared 15 feet, one-quarter inch to win the 2004 grand finale. Having already nearly eclipsed that in the previous weeks, senior Ryan Wirth, the 2006 champion, knew that the record was indeed made to be broken.
But like most songs on any ‘oldies’ radio station, ‘Dandy Drew’s’ record remained in play for another year as Wirth successfully topped 14 feet, but could fly no higher. Yuma senior Lucas Lubbers also mounted a challenge, but settled for the state title after a vault of 14’6”. But in an event they were expected to dominate, fellow senior Blake Johnson helped the Wolverine boys’ collective cause by taking fourth (12’0”), six inches behind Erie senior Jon Coyle in third.
All told, Bayfield finished 11th overall, racking up 22.5 points—best among the Intermountain League squads—but well behind Faith Christian (Arvada), who claimed their second straight team trophy with 68. Platte Canyon (Bailey) was second with 59, and Roosevelt (Johnstown) was close in third with 56 points.
While most BHS qualifiers were unfortunately ousted in Friday’s preliminary rounds, a few more managed to post vital team points as well. To no one’s surprise, senior Jake Krueger was strong in the 800 meters, and finished eighth in 2:00.59. Sophomore Jesse Krueger was three spots back, clocking 2:01.82, while the 4x800 relay (Je. Krueger, D. Laue, T. Phelps, Ja. Krueger) took sixth overall in 8:16.33.
Senior Jared Wagner went out on the podium after his personal record, third-place 6’3” high jump, but with more misses than Gunnison sophomore Connor Coleman. Stratton senior John Powell won the event by clearing 6’4”. Lubbers finished eighth (6’0”), while BHS senior Roy Westbrook finished in a five-way tie for ninth (5’10”).
Sophomore Dakota Decker narrowly missed making the finals of the 200-meter dash, taking ninth in the prelims in a time of 23.43 seconds—which would have placed fourth in the main, ahead of seniors Cameron Stark of Estes Park and Matt Houghton of PCHS, who tied at 23.45. Bayfield also got top-15 finishes from sophomore Tanner Phelps in the 1,600 meters (13th, 4:42.86) and freshman Derek Laue in the 3,200 (15th, 10:38.21).
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