Forty years after CHSAA’s all-classification and still-standing high jump record was set, Jordan Lanning established a new Class 3A state championship best last May with a jump of 5 feet, 7.75 inches.
Returning one last time to Jeffco Stadium for the current season’s May 16-18 grand finale, Bayfield’s Colorado State University-bound senior standout undoubtedly had at least one of those standards in her sights as one of the meet’s must-watch multi-talents.
Having already cleared a school-record 5-09 this spring, earning her top seeding by a ridiculous 5½ inches over Frontier Academy senior Izzy Ramirez, a state-record-equaling 6-01 may not be all that far-fetched should ability and atmospheric conditions cooperate.
New Class 3A bests in both the 100- and 300-meter hurdles were also possibilities (particularly in the shorter race) when the No. 1 seed in both specialties – and, yes, BHS record-holder in both – stepped inside the venue, quadrupling as a leading long jump contender ranked behind only Lutheran junior Caitlin Simmons.
When you stop and think about it, a maximum 40-point haul – more than many teams would collect – was more than within the realm of possibility. During action involving Lanning’s fellow Intermountain League rivals, it was a virtual probability. And such dominance, putting in question just how high her track and field ceiling actually is, plus outstanding classroom work, led to the Wolverine supreme recently receiving the IML’s Female Spring Athlete of the Year Award.
Though not really pulled out from Colorado’s historic “Bowl of Gold” region, Lanning’s sophomore-year arrival at Bayfield from then-2A (now 1A) Cripple Creek-Victor High School proved a boon beyond head coach Josh Walton’s dreams. Having also proven herself on the basketball court during her time at Bayfield High School, Lanning also suited up for Bayfield volleyball during an extensive prep career before committing solely to the sport of measuring tapes and stopwatches.
Owning a grade-point average exceeding 4.0 and also owning school records in the 100-meter dash, long and triple jumps, Lanning’s on-paper BHS legacy will end on diploma paper at graduation on May 19 but will continue elevating long-term at rates only she’ll be able to generate.
Alamosa junior Ian Jackson, starring for the Mean Moose in the short sprints – he arrived at state as the top threat in the 400 meters (senior brother Chad was the No. 2) and was a top-six seed in the 100 – as well as the 300-meter hurdles, was named IML Male Spring Athlete of the Year.
