Ethan Pence

Andrew Vigil didn't always get the same recognition as teammate Garrett Quintana, but he proved himself a very capable thrower nonetheless. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Plenty of heat in this heat. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Soleil Gaylord, second from right, ran her way to the Junior Women's national snowshoe title. Contributed photo.

Peter Franklin was Colorado's top qualifier for finals in the 1600. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.

Race director Darren Brundgardt briefs the high school contingent before their race. Photo by Ramona Gaylord.

It wasn't cross country--at least not in the typical sense--this time around, but Ethan Pence claimed a state title. Colorado Track XC file photo by Alan Versaw.

The race that exacted a toll. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Look both ways before leading. Photo by Alan Versaw.

If Eagle Valley is to run down cross-county rival Battle Mountain this fall, Brandon Sheard is going to have to do a lot of the running. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Josh Braun is one of several returning runners for Battle Mountain that make them a team of no small concern this fall. Colorado Track XC file photo by Paul Jaeger.

Nate Fedel exploited the home course advantage with a nice finish at the Ourayce 10K. File photo by Paul Jaeger.

The long arm of Lance Munoz was the long arm of the law in the 1A boys high jump for 2014. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Heritage Christian Academy had a whole roster of heroes this past weekend, but none found their way to as many points as Isaiah D'Amico. Photo by Alan Versaw.

Photo coming soon to this space.

Taylor Alexander has already broken the 1A all-time pole vault record this season, her own state meet record is next in view. Colorado Track XC file photo.

It wasn't that long ago that we last looked at 1A boys, but a couple of things have changed a little in the interim.

The short version of this story is: Heritage Christian Academy won it last year, graduated the franchise, and restocked it about as fast as it graduated. But, let's take a closer look...

Luke Duggan raced very well at state last year and returns as 1A's #2 ranked 1600 this spring. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

If you guessed this young man as the 5A returning runner with the best 3200 time, you are an astute student of Colorado distance. Photo by Paul Jaeger.

Last year, Jorden Jole and Gavin Liggett were battling for position in the field; this year they could be battling for a state championship. Colorado Track XC file photo.

By the end of this spring, Kyle English may well have dispatched all rivals--past and present--for the crown of best 1A jumper to date. Photo by Jeff McCoy.