Spring finally arrived in the Roaring Fork Valley on Saturday, and 14 schools took full advantage of the sunshine during the  44th annual Demons Invitational track and field meet at Glenwood Springs High School

Yellow school buses lined the GSHS parking lot as student-athletes from across the region—from Aspen to Kremmling—gathered at Stubler Memorial Field for one of the valley’s signature track and field meets.

The host team delivered a strong performance. The Glenwood Springs boys finished second overall with 97 points, while the girls team placed fifth with 48 points.

“Running on the home track is always a little extra special,” Glenwood senior Ty Hesse said. “Knowing you are running with your friends and family in the crowd is definitely an extra motivator.” 

Hesse and his teammates had impressive showings in the 100, 200, and 400 meter sprints. Hesse and his teammates excelled in the sprints. CSU Pueblo football commit Mason Markovich placed third in the 100-meter dash (11.66 seconds), while Hesse took third in the 200 (22.93) and first in the 400 (50.76).

Senior Emma Gavrell also had a standout day, placing second in both the 200 (27.60) and the 400 (1:01.73). She finished just behind Rifle junior Rylan Petree in the 200.

The Glenwood boys dominated the relay events, winning the 4×100 (44.65) and 4×400 (3:31.32), taking second in the 4×200 (1:35.15), and finishing third in the 4×800 (9:28.30).

“I’m really excited for the rest of the season,” Hesse said. “I think we are going to do great things at regionals and then hopefully states after that.”

Glenwood wasn’t the only school to find success.

Roaring Fork senior Isabella Moon found bronze twice during Saturday’s event, finishing the 800 meter sprint in 2:45.64 and the 1600 in 5:49.24. Basalt senior Jared Tennenbaum squeaked his way onto the podium with two third place finishes during the 110 meter (15.38) and 300 meter hurdles (41.20). Rifle junior Yadier Loya swept the throwing events winning the boys discus (138-2) and shot put (47-6.5).

“We just have to keep up with the training regiment that our coach lays out for us,” Hesse said. “If we keep our noses to the grindstone, then the results will be excellent.”

Glenwood Springs and other area teams will flock to Coal Ridge High School on Saturday to participate in the Coal Ridge Invitational, trying to grind through the last meets of the season before the state track championship tournament, held on May 15 at the Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. 

Other top three finishers:

Glenwood Springs – Senior Dylan Partch, second boys 300 meter hurdles (41.16); senior Morgan Kelly, second girls pole vault (8-10); senior Maria Angeles, third girls discus (91-11)

Roaring Fork – First girls 4×800 (10:51.65)

Basalt –  Junior Towler Scott, first boys 1600 meter (4:34.58)

Coal Ridge – Senior Carter Coon, third boy pole vault (11-4); sophomore Effie Fletcher, first girls 3200 meter (11:24.82)

Rifle – Freshman Aaliyah Bysinger, third girls 100 meter (18.86)

Grand Valley – Junior Craig Cotter, second boys 800 meter (2:06.72)