Among those performances was Justice Ramos’ school-record breaking effort in the 800-meter run in Grand Junction on May 2, which qualified him for state and ranked fourth in Colorado’s 4A Class.
Other individual highlights included Dante Dennison’s shot put mark of 46 feet, 11½ inches in Grand Junction on May 9 and Tayla Topaha’s 114-foot, 10-inch discus throw in Bayfield on April 14.
All in all, M-CHS’s track teams qualified six athletes for this weekend’s Colorado State Track Championships, which will take place in Lakewood, May 14-16. Below are short profiles on each of the Panthers’ state qualifiers.
JUSTICE RAMOS
After qualifying for state in the 4x400-meter relay last season, Justice Ramos returned to the track this season and raced to one of the best seasons in team history.
In addition to his school-record breaking performance in the 800-meter run, Justice qualified for state in the 400-meter dash (50.26) and anchored M-CHS’s 4x400-meter relay (3:26.58).
The senior will enter the state meet ranked 11th in Class 4A in the 400-meter dash while the Panthers’ 4x400-meter relay will enter the state meet ranked fourth in the state.
“Justice is the first kid that I’ve had in a number of years who has qualified for state in three events,” said M-CHS boys’ coach Bob Archibeque. “He’s one of those kids who works extremely hard and does whatever you ask him.”
“I’m pretty nervous for the state meet, but it’s exciting,” Ramos said. “I just want to give it all that I’ve got and hopefully I can get onto the podium.”
Off the track
Music: Country
Movie: Remember the Titans
Food: Shrimp
Class: English
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Pastime: Outdoor activities
Other sports: Wrestling, football
DANTE DENNISON
After spending countless hours in the weight room and on the track, Dante Dennison saw his hard work pay off when he fired a shot put 46 feet, 11 ½ inches and qualified for state for the first time.
Always eager to credit coaches and teammates for his success, Dennison said that he would not have qualified without help from throwing coach Daria Sparks.
“The biggest thing this year was that we had a throwing coach,” Dennison said. “My form was in shambles before the season and Daria really helped out. I could not have made state without her.”
Currently ranked 17th in the state, Dennison said that he is hopeful that the high-quality throwers at the state meet will push him to new heights.
“The competition at state is supposed to be really great and that should help pressure me to perform my best,” Dennison said. “I think the state meet will be a little different since it’s my last one.”
Off the track
Music: Wide variety
Movie: Remember the Titans
Food: Lasagna
Class: British Literature
Teacher: Mr. Kelley, Ms. Mason
Team: No favorite
Pastime: Anything outdoors
Other sports: Football, wrestling
JOSH RAMOS
In just his second season of high school track, Josh Ramos asserted himself as one of M-CHS’s top middle distance runners and qualified for state in the 4x400-meter relay.
Also a state qualifier in the 4x400-meter relay last season, the sophomore said that he is hopeful that the experience that he gained as a freshman will pay off.
“We were kind of happy with going to state last year,” Ramos said. “This year we actually want to do something. We’re going for the school record and we would like to be on the podium.”
Asked about the keys to the Panthers success this season, Ramos cited leadership that has been provided by his brother, as well as other seniors.
“Justice (Ramos) has gotten us where we are right now,” said Josh. “He has shown un how to warm up and how to run races. Randy, Dante and our other seniors are also great leaders.”
Off the track
Music: Country
Movie: Remember the Titans
Food: Cereal
Class: Spanish
Teacher: Ms. Warinner
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Pastime: Go to the lake
Other sports: Wrestling, Football
RANDY HALEY
Despite splitting time between the baseball field and track, Randy Haley ranked as M-CHS’s top sprinter and qualified for state in the 4x400-meter relay for the second straight season.
“Three of us returned from last year’s 4x400-meter relay team, so we had some good chemistry going into this year,” Haley said. “We’ve been able to build on that and run some fast times.”
One of the Panthers’ most decorated athletes in recent memory, Haley said that he will do everything in his power to make this weekend’s state track meet a memorable one.
“I’m a little nervous because I’ve been participating in sports for four years and this is my last activity,” Haley said. “I just want to go out and do well.”
Off the track
Music: Country
Movie: Comedies
Food: Steak
Class: Math
Teacher: Mr. Chandler
Team: Denver Broncos
Pastime: Lake Powell
Other sports: Football, basketball, baseball
ELISHA VAQUERA
After impressing coaches with his athleticism and work ethic last season, Elisha Vaquera broke through in his second season of high school track and qualified for state in the 4x400-meter relay.
“I’m really excited about competing at state,” Vaquera said. “I want to run a personal best time and I’m hoping that our team can make it onto the podium. I think that we can.
Asked about the keys to his team’s success on the track this season, Vaquera, like fellow sophomore Josh Ramos, credited leadership that was provided by M-CHS’s coaches and seniors.
“Our seniors have shown a lot of leadership and shown us how to do things,” Vaquera said. “We wouldn’t be going to state without them.”
Off the track
Music: Orchestra
Movie: Unbroken
Food: Shrimp
Class: History
Teacher: Mom
Team: Denver Broncos
Pastime: Writing
Other sports: Football
TAYLA TOPAHA
One year finished ninth in the state with a throw of 112 feet, Tayla Topaha will return to the discus circle at the Colorado State Track Championship with hopes of placing even higher.
“Last year, I went into the state meet really scared,” said Topaha, who will enter the state as the 12th ranked discus thrower in Colorado’s 4A Class. This year, I’m prepared to see better competition.”
As for her goals heading into the state meet, Topaha said that she would like to throw beyond her personal-best distance of 114 feet, 10 inches and place as high in the standings as she can.
“Tayla had a remarkable season,” said M-CHS girls’ coach Paul Koops. “She was a frontrunner in every meet…and helped other kids on the team.”
Off the track
Music: Everything
Movie: Step Brothers
Food: Not sure
Class: All of them
Teacher: Mr. Kelly
Team: Dallas Cowboys
Pastime: Netflix
Other sports: Softball, basketball
RACHEL DEMBY
Hampered by injuries throughout her final season of high school track, Rachel Demby ran in just one meet this season and qualified for state in the 400-meter dash.
This season marks the fourth straight in which Demby has qualified for the Colorado State Championships. The senior has also qualified for the Colorado State Cross Country Championships twice.
“Rachel has been as committed as any athlete that I’ve ever coached,” said M-CHS track coach Paul Koops. She’s really coachable, she solicits ideas and she’s smart enough to accept what works for her.”