While many words could be used to describe the Dove Creek High School track team’s 2014 season, “outstanding” might be the most appropriate.
Competing at the Colorado State Track and Field Championships in Lakewood, Colo., the team amassed three individual state titles, three other top-three finishes and finished third in the girls team standings.
Running in the final meet of her high school career, senior Corissa Guynes secured a spot in Bulldog lore, winning state titles in the 100-meter hurdles (16.49) and 300 hurdles (47.94). Guynes also finished fourth overall in the 200 (13.15).
In the (100 hurdles), the girl next to (Corissa) was ahead over the ninth and tenth hurdle,” said Bulldogs head coach Jason Fury. “Cory was so strong and won that race. In the (300 hurdles), she blew everyone out of the water.”
Guynes finished her career with three individual state titles and the Class 1A state record in the 300 hurdles, which she set in 2013.
Throwing in her final high school meet, senior Madison Young turned in a performance that will not soon be forgotten, finishing first in the shot put (36 feet, 4 inches) and third in the discus (106 feet, 10 inches).
Not only was Young’s performance in the shot put good enough to win a state record, but the senior’s throw also set a Class 1A state record.
“(Madison) showed a lot of mental toughness,” said Fury. “She was absolutely outstanding.”
Competing as the lone representative of the Dove Creek boys team, senior Taylor Hankins made his final meet a memorable one.
In addition to finishing third overall in the 300 hurdles (43.35), Hankins also performed well in the 200, finishing ninth overall (24.40).
“(Taylor) got his PR in both of those races,” said Fury. “He just responded. (State) can be an overwhelming venue for some kids, but he really responded and ran well.”
Bolstered by outstanding performances by Young, Guynes and several other athletes, the Dove Creek girls team finished third overall in the state with 68 points. Shining Mountain Waldorf won the team title with 74 points, while Heritage Christian finished second with 71 points.
“It came down to the last race of the weekend,” said Fury. “We were still in it. It just didn’t happen in that last race even though our girls in that race ran really well.”
Key scorers for the Bulldogs included Jessica Guynes, who finished seventh in the 800 (2:34.37) and 8th in the 400 (1:05.30), Shelbie Knuckles, who finished 8th in the 100 hurdles (18.10) and Kristin Knuckles, who finished 11th in the 3200 (13:53.12).
Several Dove Creek relays also performed well with the 4x100 finishing third (53.41), the 4x400 finishing sixth (4:30.26), the 4x800 finishing sixth (11:15.29) and the sprint medley finishing seventh overall (2:06.21).