GRAND JUNCTION – Roaring Fork’s James Leonard took off and and landed with a ticket to the state Class 3A state meet and a regional title.

Leonard earned the area’s only gold medal at the Class 3A State meet at Stocker Stadium, posting a triple jump mark of 40 feet, 101⁄4 inches.

He wasn’t, however the only area athlete to qualify for the state meet.

Basalt’s Hank Kindell had runner-up marks of 42-10 and 128-0, respectively, in the boys’ 3A shot put and discus. Teammate Felipe Sanchez took second in the 100 meters, and Tommy Joiner of Roaring Fork earned a silver medal in the high jump.

Ram sophomore Alex Tiernan and Basalt’s John Tucker ran second and third, respectively in the 3,200. Earlier, Tucker finished second to Hotchkiss’ Rob Thayer in the 1,600 meters.

On the girls’ side, Basalt’s March Thompson posted a 12-minute, 14.72-second runner-up time in the 3,200, and Longhorn junior Reanna Robertson advanced to the state meet by finishing third in the high jump.

Grand Valley has two state qualifiers, one each in the boys’ and girls’ 2A meet.

Jessica Cielatka will participate in the girls’ shot put. She advanced with a third-place throw of 31-5 at regionals. Chris Brundle, who finished third at regionals, will represent the Cardinals in the boys’ 1,600 meters.