24 Arvada Press
LOCAL
April 20, 2017A
SPORTS
800 meters can be a real pain
After long career, AD set for new chapter
B
Douglas County junior Lina Corrales was the winner of the 800 and 1,600 races at the April 3 Highlands Ranch Invitational. She claims it takes heart to succeed in 800-meter runs, and between races walks to stay loose and listens to music. JIM BENTON
Race combines elements of a sprint and a distance event
Race prep includes ‘grueling’ training
BY JIM BENTON JBENTON@COLORDOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The 800-meter run is not a sprint and it’s not a distance race. It’s a hybrid. It takes speed, stamina, grit and a high threshold for pain to succeed in the 800, which is often referred to as a middle-distance race. In short, the 800 — which is roughly half a mile — is tough, Colorado high school coaches and runners agree. “The 800-meter run is absolutely brutal,” said Faith Christian coach Steve Urban, who was the distance coach last season for boys 5A state SEE RACE, P30
STANDOUT PERFORMERS Drake Davis, baseball, senior, Ralston Valley: Davis allowed two hits and struck out 15 batters in six innings during a 12-1 win over Lakewood on April 15. Davis is the Jefferson County 5A league leader with 42 strikeouts.
Carly Zimmerman, track, sophomore, Lakewood: Zimmerman was first in the 100 meter hurdles (16.83) and also won the 300 meter hurdles (47.84) at the April 13 Don Osse Lakewood Tiger Invitational.
Laryssa Hamblen, soccer, sophomore, D’Evelyn: She scored the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win over Golden on April 13.
Abe Apodaca, baseball, junior, Wheat Ridge: In a 4-2 Jefferson County 4A League triumph over Evergreen, Apo-
daca went 3-for-3 and drove in a run. Elijah Pacheco, baseball, freshman, Jefferson: Pacheco stole seven bases and the Saints stole 10 bases in the 8-5 win over Middle Park on April 15. Pacheco went 3-for-3, scored four runs and also drew a walk in four plate appearances.
STANDOUT PERFORMERS are five athletes named from south metro area high schools. Preference is given to those making their debut on the list. To nominate an athlete, contact Jim Benton at jbenton@coloradocommunitymedia.com
ruce Wright doesn’t take anything for granted, so he is retiring following the current school year after 21 years as the Highlands Ranch High School athletic director. “My wife has been retired for a few years and has OVERTIME kind been waiting for me to retire,” Wright said. “There are no guarantees in life, and when you can do something, do it because you don’t want to wait, because if something happens then you can’t do what you want to do. When you can do something and have Jim Benton the opportunity, do it. “It is hard to leave. I love what I do. It’s difficult, but it’s time to move on. What stands out for me was working with the kids and coaches we have had.” Wright and his wife Sue are moving to Oro Valley, six miles north of Tucson, Arizona. “We’re going to do a lot of traveling, enjoy the grandkids and just enjoy life,” Wright said. Preston Davis, Littleton High’s athletic director and former Smoky Hill AD, will replace Wright at Highlands Ranch. Davis also was a football, lacrosse and girls basketball coach in the Cherry Creek school district. “He’s going to do a great job,” Wright said. “I’ve known him for a while and he’s a class act. We really have a good coaching staff here and with him being a former coach helps. We’re really set for some really good things to come in the next couple years. The table is set really well and he just needs to continue to nurture those coaches.” This seems like a small thing, but it’s a big reason Wright will be missed: Waiting is something we all do, whether it is waiting in line, waiting for a stoplight or just waiting for the days, hours and minutes to pass. But I never had to wait long for Wright to return a call or email, and he was always helpful for any request I might have made. Baseball state leaders In no game are statistics used as much as in baseball to allow fans and managers/ coaches to compare the performances of players to one another. So here’s a look at some area players who are state leaders through games of April 15: • JD Wadleigh, a Green Mountain junior who played as a freshman at Faith Christian, leads Class 4A with a 1.242 slugging percentage in addition to leading the Class 4A Jefferson County League in five categories. • Skyview sophomore Corey Musch is tied for the 4A stolen base lead with 19 steals. • Brock Johnson, a Douglas County junior catcher, leads Class 5A with a .304 caughtstealing percentage. He has thrown out seven runners on 23 stolen base attempts in 11 games. • Cody Schultz, a senior at Cherry Creek, is tops in runs scored in 5A with 24 in 11 games. SEE BENTON, P31