It’s the last-chance meet for some athletes and, for those who don’t take advantage of that chance, it will be the last hurrah of the 2004 prep track season.

Staff Report

---

---

It’s the last-chance meet for some athletes and, for those who don’t take advantage of that chance, it will be the last hurrah of the 2004 prep track season.

---

---

Class 2A, 3A and 4A schools descend on Stocker Stadium in Grand Junction today for the two-day Western Regional track and field meet and a final opportunity to qualify for state in their respective classes.

At the regional meet, runners jumpers and throwers can earn a spot at state by beating the prequalifying mark in their respective event or by placing in the top three.

According to the Colorado High School Activities Association, Rifle has the most athletes out of area schools who have prequalified for the state meet with team members in six events (four girls events, two boys events).

Sprinter Ali Little has prequalified in two individual events and is also a member of the 1,600-meter relay squad which has a qualifying mark. Little has the fifth-fastest prequal time in Class 4A this season in the 200 with a time of 25.96 seconds. She also will compete in the 400 after posting a mark of 59.72 earlier this season.

Track: see page A21

Teammate Heather Anderson, also a member of the 1,600 relay team, is also good to go in the 300 hurdles with a time of 47.92.

Two Bears boys have qualified shot-putter Andrew Stone (52 feet, 1 inch), and triple jumper John Alderson (43-4 3/4).

Brian Hileman in the 100, and the Bears 400-meter relay team should also push for a state spot this weekend.

Glenwood has just one athlete prequalified for state in Amber Sutherland. Sutherland, who won the state title in discus last year and was second in the shot, will have a chance to repeat or improve on those performances in both events this year. Her high prequalifying marks are 38-21Ú2 in the shot and 112-2 in the discus.

A number of other Demon athletes have the potential to break through this weekend.

On the girls side, Leah Hinkey is on the cusp in the 100, and the 400 and 800 relay teams are also close to making the cut.

Chris Benson in the jumps is among the Demon boys who may push through this weekend.

In Class 3A, Basalt’s Hank Kindell is the only local athlete to qualify so far. He posted a 155-31Ú2 in the discus, the second-best qualifying distance this season in 3A.

The meet begins at 9 a.m. today with the last event scheduled for 4:20 p.m. Saturday’s action starts at 8 a.m. and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:25 p.m.The meet begins at 9 a.m. today with the last event scheduled for 4:20 p.m. Saturday’s action starts at 8 a.m. and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 4:25 p.m.