Dayspring hurdler Dan Baer goes for his third title

Dan Baer has never seen a hurdle he couldn't conquer, and he has two gold medals to prove it.

Baer, a Dayspring Christian senior, hopes the next two days have resemblance to the last two years as he attempts to make school history.

However, Baer hasn't seen a hurdle all week.

Because of a sore left hamstring, Baer, the Class 2A two-time defending 110-meter hurdle champion, has spent more time in the whirlpool than counting his steps this week.

"I know that when I'm happy and healthy, I perform my best," said Baer, whose title defense will start this afternoon at the Class 2A Track and Field Championships at Dutch Clark Stadium in Pueblo.

Greeley West, Greeley Central, and Windsor will compete at the Class 4A meet at Jeffco Stadium. University also will be in Pueblo at the 3A meet.

The Eagles boys team has its sights set on a top-three finish, but a lot hinges on Baer's condition as he attempts to become the first-ever three-time state champion in school history.

"Knowing the type of athlete that he is, when he's in the moment, Dan's adrenaline takes over," Dayspring coach Harley Lowe said. "I would expect he'll run his way through this, unless his hamstring just flat fails him."

Baer has always saved his best for the state meet. Last year, he entered the state meet with a season-best 15.1 seconds in the 110 hurdles, but hit the tape in 14.6 to claim his second straight title.

Baer won the state title as a sophomore in 15.12.

"If I don't have the skills by now, I'll never have them," Baer said. "The skills and the mechanics are entwined in my brain and my body."

On Baer's shoulder is junior Jared Sanderford, who has beat him twice this season.

"Jared (Sanderford) pushes him hard," Lowe said. "On a good day, he has beaten Baer."

Sanderford and Baer are half of the Eagle's 400-meter relay team, joining Luke Greener and Kyle Taplin with the state's top time of 44.8. Baer, Sanderford and Greener join Brock Martin to form the 1,600 relay team, also ranked first in 3:29.

"Dan probably has a little bit of pressure on him, trying to win his third title, but he's the kind of athlete who rises to the occasion," Lowe said. "All of our kids are that way."

Joining the Eagles in his first trip to the state meet will be sophomore Michael Moore, who will run the 100 (11.3) and compete in the high jump after clearing 5 feet, 10 inches last week. Moore spent the last two months competing for the Eagles' baseball team.

"I haven't really reached my potential yet, but I'm sure I'll have my best performance this weekend," Moore said.

The Eagles' lone qualifier in the girls meet is junior Lauren Posey, who will compete in the high jump.

Posey is the first girl competing for the Eagles since the mid1990s when Brittney Nichols won back-to-back state pole vault titles.

"We're really excited about Laruen (Posey) competing, and we've sort of done our math for the boys team, figuring we can be a top-three team if everybody performs well," Lowe said.

Greener is also nursing an injury (left knee) and hasn't been able to practice handoffs with Baer this week.

"The kids are ready though," Lowe said. "About half of them mentioned that they couldn't even get to sleep last night."

Wildcat tracks: Greeley Central's girls team comes into today's prelims as the regional champions and has high expectations for its relay teams -- which include Janelle Martinez, Christina Davila, Taylor Bean, Taylor McNamara, Brandi Gustafson and Alax Short -- hurdler Kayla Contreras, sprinter/long jumper Lauren Keiser (12.7 in the 100; 17-3.75 in the long jump) and distance runner Allie Parks (11:23.48 in the 3,200 run).

The boys team also is relying on its relay teams, led by seniors Mike McFadden, Drew Switzer and Rodney Hesse; along with hurdler Kole Kadavy.

Out West: The Spartans' best bet for a state title lies with distance runner Kendra Gerk, the defending state champ in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs, and junior Ashley Smalley. Middle distance runner Cesar Rodriguez, and distance runner Kody Leach could medal for the Spartans' boys team.

Windsor watch: Overall, 22 Wizards qualified for the state meet, led by the boys 400 relay team of Matt Hoffman, Brian Hanlin, Scooter Wiles and Bob Barbour, whose time of 42.75 is tops in the state. Also coming in with a state-best time is the 3,200 realy team of Cal Englert, Chris Ullom, Zane Hyland and Seth Bott at 8:00.09.

The Wizards girls team is led by sprinters Mallory Duran and Rachel Weakland.