Andrew Roberts of Lyons was disappointed in his performance at the Class 2A boys state track meet last season. To get through it, the sophomore got constructive.

His father and track coach at Lyons, Mark Roberts, swapped houses with Andrew's grandmother and put Andrew to work.

"We'd get up and work on the house eight to 10 hours a day," Mark Roberts said. "Once that was done, Andrew would strap on his shoes and get back to running."

Said Andrew: "I've always believed in having a good work ethic, running or otherwise. I make sure everything else gets taken care of, but I can't stop running."

He came in second in the 1,600 meters and was fifth in the 3,200. Fellow sophomore Victor Montoya of Rocky Ford finished first in both events.

"He definitely chewed on it a little the first few weeks of summer," Mark Roberts said. "But he worked his tail off and embraced the training."

Andrew Roberts finished second at the 3A boys state cross country meet, outpacing Montoya and regaining confidence.

"I knew it was going to be tough going against (Montoya) and the rest of the field," Andrew said. "I think it'll carry over to track. I just need to keep getting better."

As for the rest of the Lyons boys track team, if it can find itself utilizing the same work ethic, the Lions will compete for a state title.

"We don't have quite the depth on our relay teams, but that sort of thing usually takes a season to address, anyhow," the elder Roberts said.

• Rocky Ford was hoping to cash in on fourth-place state finish last season, but coach Ron Shepherd so far is feeling the pressure of low turnout.

"A lot of these kids are still out doing other sports, so you really can't tell how good your team is going to be until you get them all together in one place," Shepherd said.

• There was talk last season of Warren Mitchell retiring, but the 81-year-old legend is back for his 53rd year as coach at Limon.

"Well, I don't know why I come back," Mitchell said. "I just can't stay away."

"I guess I keep asking him to come back and he does," Limon athletic director Don Bailey said.

• Former 3A mainstay Burlington has found its way to 2A. The Cougars finished sixth in 3A last season, but coach Mic David doesn't believe the team will be able to cruise in the smaller classification.

"We face a lot of 2A teams during the season," David said. "We know that a lot of the teams in 2A are comparable to 3A."

2A Boys Starting Line

CLASS 2A BOYS TOP 10

1 Lyons: Getting the relay teams set is a priority, but the Lions' distance runners make them favorites.

2 Wiggins: A lot of depth and experience should spell success for the Tigers.

3 Burlington: The Cougars drop down in class andshould challenge with sprinter Brian Hendricks.

4 Fountain Valley: The Danes are inexperienced but talented; Stephen Stoots is a threat in distance events.

5 Wray: Michael Fruhwirth is an emerging jumper and hurdler for the Eagles.

6 Rocky Ford: If Victor Montoya repeats his success, the Meloneers are primed for a state run.

7 Haxtun: Garrick Biesmeier and Jordan Hagemeyer have the speed and ability to carry the Bulldogs.

8 Akron: The Rams look to bounce back; Caleb Hellyer is an early favorite in the pole vault.

9 Grand Valley: Sam McKinley is the best sprinter in the class, but the Eagles need to find him some help.

10 Byers: The Bulldogs' relay teams rival any in the classification.

TOP RETURNEES

Athlete School Year

Dan Baer Dayspring Chr. Jr. State finish: First, 110 hurdles

Garrick Biesmeier Haxtun Sr. State finish: Second, 100

Cody Collins Julesburg Sr. State finish: Third, shot put

Le'Jae Cumby Del Norte Jr. State finish: Third, triple jump

Michael Fruhwirth Wray Sr. State finish: Second, 110 hurdles

Jordan Hagemeyer Haxtun Sr. State finish: Second, 400

Caleb Hellyer Akron Sr. State finish: Second, pole vault

Brian Hendricks Burlington Sr. State finish: Second, 400

Troy Kimmel Prairie Sr. State finish: Third, pole vault

Saul Martinez Center Sr. State finish: Third, 800

Sam McKinley Grand Valley Sr. State finish: First, 100; first, 200

Victor Montoya Rocky Ford So. State finish: First, 1,600; first, 3,200

Andrew Roberts Lyons So. State finish: Second, 3,200

Chris Villagomez Center Jr. State finish: Second, 800

Wesley Williams Stratton Jr. State finish: Third, high jump

Other top returnees

Seth Abeyta (long jump) Hoehne Sr.

Jared Adams (hurdles) Lyons Jr.

Colin Anderson (middle distance) Lyons Sr.

Braiden Banks (weights) Dove Creek Jr.

Chad Benkelman (sprints) Elbert Sr.

Jonathan Castillo (middle distance) Idalia So.

Aaron Chorey (relays) Lyons Sr.

Frank Christensen (pole vault) Akron Sr.

Gage Coen (sprints) McClave Jr.

Sam Cole (distance) Bethune Sr.

Curt Connelley (hurdles) Kit Carson Sr.

Ryan Connot (high jump) Peetz Sr.

Dan Crabbs (hurdles) Elbert Sr.

Andy Crook (sprints) Mancos Sr.

Edwin Cruz (distance) Del Norte Sr.

Will Curry (distance) Crested Butte Jr.

Buster Darnell (distance) Rocky Ford Jr.

Jon Paul Davis (jumps) Otis Sr.

Damon Dechant (jumps) Kit Carson Sr.

Lucas Devlin (triple jump) Idalia Sr.

Dalton Dial (distance) Kiowa Jr.

Jade Downey (hurdles) McClave Sr.

Kurtis Dunbar (triple jump) Meeker Sr.

Creighton Farness (pole vault) Idalia Jr.

Ryan Figueroa (sprints) Elbert So.

Dillon Fox (distance) Custer County Jr.

Sean Fox (high jump) Fowler Jr.

Israel Gray (weights) Wiggins Jr.

Josh Hammer (sprints) Kit Carson Sr.

Barrett Heiss (distance) Wiggins Sr.

Brandon Hruby (distance) Rye Jr.

Erin Kochivar (hurdles) Kiowa Jr.

Phillip Korpi (triple jump) Sangre de Cristo Sr.

Guy Kuntz (jumps) Otis Jr.

Stryker Lane (weights) Norwood So.

Tucker Lane (weights) Del Norte Sr.

Jorge Leon (sprints) Wiggins Sr.

Sean Lindbom (relays) Wiggins Sr.

Adam Lingo (hurdles, jumps) Wiggins Sr.

Mark Lingo (relays) Wiggins Sr.

Luke Loutzenheiser (triple jump, hurdles) Flagler Jr.

Andrew Maxcy (sprints) Kit Carson Sr.

Justin Marlow (sprints) McClave Sr.

Lucas Martinez (middle distance) Del Norte Sr.

Mike McLane (middle distance) Kiowa Jr.

Josh Metherd (relays) Wiggins Jr.

Trey Mullen (weights) Lyons Sr.

Wade O'Rourke (distance) Del Norte Sr.

Jesse Poole (sprints) Dove Creek So.

Chris Reynolds (weights) Del Norte Sr.

Kody Roper (distance) Coal Ridge So.

Chantry Ross (high jump) Meeker Sr.

Dan Rule (distance) Kiowa Sr.

Peter Samuelson (middle distance) Telluride Sr.

Jared Sanderford (hurdles) Dayspring Chr. So.

Tate Sexton (relays) Kiowa So.

Cody Scira (sprints) Lyons Jr.

Pat Siddall (spints) Lyons Sr.

Tyler Stephenson (sprints) Kit Carson Jr.

Stephen Stoot (distance) Fountain Valley So.

Colteb Thompson (weights) Holy Trinity Jr.

Justin Tjaden (pole vault) Julesburg So.

Jake Toney (sprints) Simla Sr.

Cody Tutor (sprints) Lyons Sr.

Weston Wilson (distance) Kiowa Jr.

Richard Ybarra (hurdles) Elbert Sr.

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