AHS Sophomore Sunday Abarca won the 400-meter dash on May 2 in a blazing 49.93 seconds, one of the top times in the state for his division. Later that day, at Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction, Abarca made it two-for-two by taking the 200-meter dash with an official time of 22.18 seconds.

Abarca and his AHS Skier teammates are bringing momentum as they head into the State Track and Field Championships, May 14-16 in Lakewood. Jay Schultz, James Aldridge and Rachel Bachman are the coaches, with Bachman’s emphasis being on the distance runners.

“I create a periodized training plan for the athletes focusing on the 800-meter or longer (races) to build their strength and endurance in the early season, than transition to more intensity to help runners ‘peak’ at the end of the season,” said Bachman. “I also work with the team on running form and race strategy,” she added.

Junior McKenna Woodrow is a mid-distance runner specializing in the 800, 400 and the 200-meter events.

“I like everything about track, I really enjoy the sport and I also really love everyone on the team,” she said.

“The track team s definitely improved through the year, at the league in Grand Junction, almost every distance runner set a personal best time. Woodrow took nearly 10 seconds off her previous 800m personal best,” Bachman said.

Shayla DeYoung, a senior, specializes in the mile and the half-mile races.

“Track is a lot of fun. The meets are a great place to hang out with the team and meet people,” DeYoung said.

She added that her coaches, who also include Garrett Sedona, are supportive of the athletes as well as knowledgeable of the different sports.

The coaches encouraged DeYoung to try a different event this season, the 100-meter relay. While the results were mixed, DeYoung said she was glad to have attempted something new, especially because she felt her teammates supported the effort.

“I like everything about track. I really enjoy the sport and I also really love everyone on the team,” DeYoung said.

“The track team had sedfianlty improved through the year, At the league in Grand Junction, almost every distance runner set a personal best time,” Said Coach Bachman.

To move on to the State meet, you need to be ranked in the top 18 for all 3a schools. This means having one of the 18 fastest times in the state,recoreded by an “Acu-track” timing system, at a meet during the season. Rankings are posted on Mile spilt and can be tracked throughout the season.

“Right now the rely team of Adair Patillo, Dara Schneck, Megan Hanson and McKenna Woodrow are on the verge of qualifying in the 4x400m events, so we expect them to advance with the Sundy to the State Championships in Denver.