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Odds and ends of Wyoming high school sports.
Picks
Posted by:
Patrick Schmiedt on
May 14, 2008 at
9:25PM EST
Not your friends, not your nose, not your friend's nose. Nope, these picks are for state track and soccer. Here's who I think is going to win.... And I'm more than ready for you to make fun of me if you don't agree.
4A boys soccer: Kelly Walsh. The Trojans have already beaten Laramie in Laramie. That's not easy. If they want to win it all again, they'll probably have to beat Laramie in Laramie again....
4A girls soccer: Laramie. That record is intimidating -- unbeaten and untied since an early loss to Gering, Neb. No other team has proven it has what it takes to beat the Lady Plainsmen thus far. That, coupled with the sort-of home-field advantage, prompts me to put the favorites' tag on Laramie.
3A boys soccer: Cody. Unbeaten so far, the Broncs have risen up to every challenge they've had this year. They've given no reason why they won't come up big again this week.
3A girls soccer: Buffalo. This is probably the most wide-open bracket of them all, and that's what'll make this one fun. Jackson, Worland, Cody and Lander have all proven they belong, but I think it's the Bison's score-at-will ability that puts them on top.
Now, on to track and field, which is where I'll be this week...
4A boys track: Gillette. This meet has developed into a two-team race -- Gillette and Natrona County -- and I know I'll never hear the end of it if the Mustangs win. Either way, I think it'll be really close, and the difference is only a numbers game. Gillette has 38 qualifiers, NC has 31. It'll be those few extra eighth-place finishes that will give the Camels the title, likely in a team race that will come down to the 4x4 relay.
3A boys track: Cody. The Broncs have been the favorite all season, and they have more qualifiers than anyone else. Douglas, Powell and Lander won't go down without a fight, but when the dust settles I envision Cody on top.
2A boys track: Wind River. Thye were the preseason pick of a lot of 2A coaches and now I see why. The Cougars are deep -- 23 qualifers -- and talented. Guernsey and Burns are the only teams that can realistically challenge Wind River, and they will. But I don't think either has the depth to win like the Cougars do.
1A boys track: Saratoga. This one could get really, really fun. Burlington and Dubois have a ton of qualifiers, too, and Cokeville is always strong. Here's what has to happen -- Cokeville has to take away points from Saratoga on the track (after all, Cokeville doesn't have anyone qualified in a single field event). Then Burlington and Dubois have to take points away from Saratoga in the field events. If and only if that happens will anyone have a chance at catching Saratoga. It's possible, sure, but a lot of dominoes will have to fall right for anyone but Saratoga to win it.
4A girls track: Cheyenne Central. Central has 42 individual qualifiers. Second-most is Natrona with 28. That should just about say it all right there.... Central is deep in pretty much every running event, the high jump and the throws. It might be close after the first day or two, but depth is always key at state, and no one has more of it than the Indians.
3A girls track: Cody. Favorites from Day 1, Cody will not just storm into Casper and take the championship by force. Torrington, Douglas, Glenrock, Powell and Jackson all have the type of depth that will make the week frustrating. But, again, no one has more depth than Cody, and that'll carry the Broncs to first place.
2A girls track: Mountain View. This is the one three years in the making -- Mountain View vs. Lingle. Forget everyone else, because this is just a straight-up dual. Every point will be crucial, every event hotly contested. Again, it's that small edge in depth that points toward the Buffalos that prompts me to pick them. But those finals on Saturday sure could sway the final point total back to the Doggers. This one will be fun, really fun, to watch all week.
1A girls track: Ummm... can I just forfeit this pick? Right now, it's too close to call. I'll pick Burlington, mostly for the Huskies' prowess in the field events. But Cokeville has the depth in the running events to make a run at the title, too, and even little-heralded Dubois could rack up enough first-place finishes to stay in the hunt.
OK, there are my picks. Let's hear yours. Then we'll look Saturday night and see how our picks stacked up against each other. Winner gets a cookie.*
Posted by patrick.schmiedt@trib.com
*-OK, not really. No cookies. Unless you come to Casper and find me at work. We'll go to Subway or something. Cookies on me.
(23) Comments
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Posted by: TrackFan on May 14, 2008 9:55PM EST
Great job with the picks. Saratoga is the real deal in 1A. They will score some points on the girls side, too. Number of qualifiers can be a little misleading if there isn't the quality to go with. Kelly Walsh women have smaller numbers but can score a boatload of points. 4A women will be a tight race and throw Evanston in the mix. Cody is a lock for both and would have contended in 4A this season. Can't wait for the meet to start. Good luck and here's to some decent weather!!!
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Posted by: Bulldog Fan on May 15, 2008 2:06AM EST
I am really looking forward to the Mt. View/Lingle matchup. I hope every event is clean and no one gets hurt. Last year a Saratoga kid jumped the gun and got disqualified in the 100. We didn't have our hurdler since he got hurt at regionals. That led to the deciding race being the 4x400 and Sundance had a team and Saratoga didn't. We had to get any place but last to win the title which we did. I felt really bad for Saratoga.....so as Patrick said every point is crucial and mistakes on either side could sway the championship.
Also take note of one of our Freshmen. Karleen Cooper is a great distance runner. She ran the 3200 for the first time in her life at regionals and got second. Also placed pretty high in the 800 and 1600. Really looking forward to seeing how she comes out at state and what the next couple years hold for her. Don't forget to watch the 2A boys 800 with Bell, Caleb HMH, Emrick & Strong and the 1600 with Bell, HMH & Emrick. Both of those races should be some of the best competition of the weekend. Oh yeah, and of course the 2A girls sprints. Sorry, my heart and knowledge lies with 2A. I do love watching all the classes, though. I know, the whole weekend is going to be a blast and it sounds like it might even be warm....Good Luck to everyone and may those state records be broken!!!
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Posted by: wyofloater on May 15, 2008 1:15PM EST
3A Girls Soccer - gonna have to go with Jackson here but it should be a heckuva final game.
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Posted by: Cristy O'Brien (used to be Sullivan) on May 15, 2008 6:17PM EST
Hey Patrick, awesome picks! I saw your picture and thought I'd drop you a note! We haven't seen eachother in like...well, a while to say the least!! Drop me an email if you feel like it.
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Posted by: Chris Gray on May 15, 2008 11:52PM EST
WOW! How 'bout that Dogie?!? Too bad Newc. couldn't get a few more meets under their belts this year, would have been neat to see where Farella would have peaked! Can't wait to see her next year! Speaking of jumpin' juniors, way to go Emily Moore! 19'2"!! Also, can't believe that 4A boys 3200! Nobody under 10 all year, then 6 go under at state, with the Robinson (correct?) kid just missing the record set by the legendary Jim Mcreery by 3.25 seconds! Awesome! Halley, looks like your dad is going to have to coach for several more years to see all this talent coming through Lingle! Good grief!! Wish I could be there for the rest of the weekend!But, at least the golf course is finally calling my name!!
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Posted by: Bison Fan on May 16, 2008 1:17AM EST
Well, I have to go with the Bison and Lady Bison to sweep the soccer. Is this an amazing group of men or what. Played for and could have won the championship in football (one more pass and they win), they were the team to beat in basketball and hiccupped at the wrong time, and here they are again - one of the favs in Soccer. GO BISON!!!!
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Posted by: jhalley on May 16, 2008 9:34AM EST
Gray - you're right. Grampa Ronnie has some ponies. Just hope some of the helpers have a big weekend to get the Buffaloes. Congrats to Farella - that is a big jump. We'll be there for the festivities on Sat. (golf will have to wait a day or two)
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Posted by: tmillerwyo on May 16, 2008 1:25PM EST
Patrick, good T&F picks. 5 state (1 all-class) records where set yesterday. How many others could fall this year? Could the kids top last year's 21 record event showing? I see a possibility of 21 more individual records being challanged this year w/ the 2A girls leading the way (200m, 400m, 800m, 100h & 300h). Its possible the LFL girls could set state records w/in those 5 events and lose the state title to MV. That demonstrates how deep MV is. There is also a good chance 7 more all-class state records could be broken, including (UW All-American) Shauna Smith's hurdle records.
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So the record count is up to 13 now... Eight more track records were broken on Friday, including six on the track. I'd bet on at least that many on Saturday. A lot of people weren't running full out on those preliminaries on Friday. I agree with tmillerwyo, a lot of the records that could fall are in the 2A girls (read: Ochsner and Henry). I'd watch for the 300 hurdles the closest, because records could fall in 2A, 3A and 4A girls.
--patrick
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My unofficial official count of new state meet records is 24, including seven new all-class records. Stephen Michel of Laramie finished with three of those all-class records (100, 200, triple jump).
Two years ago, 18 records were broken. Last year, it was 21. This year, 24. Is it too early for me to stake my claim to next year's record count at 27?
--patrick
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Posted by: TrackFan on May 18, 2008 10:37AM EST
Maybe a little, but you never know. Great weekend of competition. The level that women's track in Wyoming has risen in the last 10 years has been phenomenal. Not to mention that Mr. Michel will be running in Laramie for another four years. My favorite observation was how nearly every athlete interviewed was more concerned about winning for their team more than anything. That is a rare thing to hear anymore in athletics. Thanks for the coverage! Have a great "off-season"!
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Posted by: gtown on May 18, 2008 12:46PM EST
wow pretty close on all your track picks patrick
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Posted by: Chris Gay on May 18, 2008 3:13PM EST
Speaking of Michel going to UW next year, looks like he will have HUGE shoes to fill! According to todays paper, Jeremiah James won the MWC long jump with a world record leap of 29' 9.25"!! And that was only the 4th best jump in Wyoming history!!! Wow, I had no idea there was such a jumping tradition at UW!!! On a more serious note, nice job with the state track coverage Patrick, & kudos to the picture of Maggie Ochsner by Tim Kupsick!! That one quick snap shot shows the great form she has to compliment her blazing speed she has utilized to dominate Wyoming track over the last 4 years! Good job guys!!! Oh yeah, & a 21.37 200 for Michel? That's getting down there!! Can't wait to follow his career from here in his home state! Halley!! A 43.27 300 for Long?!? She's just a Junior, right? WOW!!!! Oh, & one more high five for Cate Brus going 5-7! That's awesome!!! Kind of reminds me of Ben Morris (being 5'9") high jump 6-5 back in the day!! Also, Shenae Hedlund ran a 56.5 400?! That's getting pretty elite! OK, lets go golfing!
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Posted by: OSP on May 18, 2008 6:58PM EST
Patrick, you and the other sports staff members did a fantastic job covering all the Wyoming sports this week as well as the national. With soccer, T & F plus the Casper College hiring, you must have been running thin. Great job!
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Posted by: tmillerwyo on May 19, 2008 11:40AM EST
Great T&F meet. My Thursday prediction of 26 records (w/ 8 all-class records) was fairly close. I guess Shauna's marks are little tougher than I gave them credit for. On Saturday morning I still thought that the MV girls would beat the LFL girls, but my dad told me I was wrong and said that LFL would win by 30 points. He was wrong too, it was only 29.5 points. I knew Ochsner, Patch, and Wollert were very good, but the other girls from LFL that scored points was difference (like the other twins in the distance events, the PVs, and the girls in the weight events). After Brandon Ames performance last year, I didn't think I would ever see another male performance like that again, but I think Stephan Michal did it. My diamond in the rough pick is Mario Harris from NC. That kid has no idea how good he could be. Congratulations Sheridan individual champions: Boomer (HJ) & Kayla (PV). |
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Posted by: Kevin Williams on May 20, 2008 12:54PM EST
Nice job on the picks in Track & Field. Looks like you missed the Mt. View/LFL pick, but at least you were brave enough to try and probably only half of those who did were right.. Other picks were right on. Great weather and 3 days of inspiring performances. What a way to spend the weekend. Probably better there than on a golf course, Chris. You can always play golf during the Snowshoe Invite or Black Hills Classic, but never during state!
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Posted by: jhalley on May 20, 2008 3:32PM EST
Chris GAY ???? I never knew that about you! (Don't tell me it was a typo.)
This weekend proved Mr. Gay that track IS a team sport, but at the same time can be for individuals too. Our girls from THS competed amazingly well. Set like 5 school records, 2 state records, numerous personal bests and 5 champions......and lost the the waves of Cody athletes that just kept getting the job done. Then the Doggers were more excited the entire week about winning it as a team, than they were about any of those things mentioned above. I guess it can go both ways....I hope we don't say the same about you !!!! :>)
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Posted by: jhalley on May 20, 2008 4:37PM EST
ok, had to throw one more out here. Anyone know where Diana Long's time in the 300 hurdles ranks? Nationally? I do believe that she was about top ten earlier when she broke 44. Now the last I saw, the 43.27 ahead of the previous best of 43.36 from a girl in Washington. Just wondering. 2 hundredths away from the studette Shaunna Smith is tough no matter where she falls. Too bad she couldn't have been in the 4A heat to have someone run with her.
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Posted by: tmillerwyo on May 20, 2008 7:14PM EST
jhalley, or the 2A heat. Long isn't ranked quite as high as Gebicki (PV) and about the same ranking as Michal (outdoor-TJ) and Moore (LJ). Look at Dyestat.com. Both California and Texas had about 10 girls faster (in 300m H) than Long. The national leader ran 40.96 and she's also a Junior. I also believe Long could run about 41+. Particularly at sea-level. She needs summer track outside the state.
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By the way, to everyone who gave one, thanks for the compliments. I appreciate it. And thank y'all for reading.
--patrick
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Posted by: Chris gRay on May 20, 2008 11:53PM EST
Good grief Halley, only you would notice such a typo! I would say that is wishful thinking on your part! I won't get into the whole true team sport thing, Jeff, but I don't get all excited about the number of points a team can score (although am very impressed with the depth of a small school like Lingle-must be because so close to Mitchell, eh Jeff?), as opposed to individual results! I was wondering about Long's time; I assume Smith must have the overall state record as mentioned above? Dr. Cottrell & I were also wondering if Michel's 10.5 ranked him anywhere nationally? Or his 21.3? Or how about Cate Brus' 5'7"? Hey Kevin, if it's any consolation, I hit three straight o.b. on #9! Must have been Karma!!
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Posted by: Burke Binning on May 21, 2008 10:53AM EST
Not to be a prick by pointing this out, but the higher altitude in Wyoming actually aids sprinters and jumpers. It is why the NCAA adds time to events 400m or shorter, plus both 4x100 and 4x400 relays.
The less air resistance at altitudes above the "magic 3000 foot" line, create an advantage for competitors in these events. The opposite holds true for distance events. The less oxygen at the higher tracks create a disadvantage for them.
The only event on the track not given an altitude conversion one way or the other is the 800m, because it is pretty much a 50/50 split between anaerobic and aerobic work.
Although they are aided by the higher altitudes, the jumps are not given an adjustment, but rather just tagged with a capital "A" following results. Bob Beamon's old LJ record from the 1968 Mexico City Oly Games (alt. 7400 ft or so) has the "A" tagged after it.
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Posted by: idk on June 2, 2008 7:26PM EST
Where is Justin Gebicki going to college?
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