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Rifle Invitational attracts the best in track and field

Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

RIFLE – Today’s state-qualifier track and field meet at Rifle should be a good one, with a host of Class 3A and 4A schools from throughout the Western Slope paying a visit.With the spring sports season winding down, fifteen teams – including locals Glenwood Springs, Coal Ridge and Roaring Fork – look to make the most of this state qualifier.Ranked visitors include Cedaredge’s girls (ranked third in Class 3A by Rocky Preps) and boys (No. 8, 3A), the Eagle Valley boys (No. 10, 4A) and the Hotchkiss girls (No. 7, 3A).The action begins at 3 p.m. and will no doubt run late into the evening, wrapping around 10 p.m. or later.”I’m excited,” first-year Rifle head coach Jerry Shafer said. “It’s a state qualifier. It’s good for the kids. Eventually, the kids have got to bring their times down. It’s better competition and allows the times to come down more.”Rifle’s teams split up last weekend, with roughly half the squad making the trip last Friday to Grand Junction’s Phil Wertman Invitational and the rest partaking in following day’s Demon Invitational at Glenwood Springs. Relays have been the strong suit for Rifle.”We’re doing pretty good,” said Shafer, who came to Rifle on the heels of coaching stints in Maryland and Ohio. “Our (boys) 4×1, 4×2, 4×4, 4×8. All those relays should make it to state. Our girls are pretty strong as well.”After soaking in rays of sunshine aplenty at the Demon Invite, Shafer hopes for similarly pleasant weather tonight.”It’s always windy up on the hill,” he said. “Hopefully the weather’s good.”Forecasts call for a pleasant night, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s.


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