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I spent this weekend under the blazing sun at the state high school track meet watching some of the best athletes in the state strut their stuff at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.

I left the track Saturday with a sunburn and a lot of respect for the young runners and jumpers who competed.

Whenever I go to the state championships, it reminds me of my days on the track.

No, I've never competed at the state championships. All of my track and field experience was limited to a few years at Lewis Ames Elementary School.

That's where I learned the basics -- how to throw my weight around in the tug-o-war, who to pick as a partner in the three-legged race and how to have fun with my classmates in the annual "Field Day" championships.

No, it wasn't the state track meet, but it was about as close as this slowpoke would ever get.

My only taste of a title was the blue ribbon that my class got for winning the tug-o-war and thought that I'd never forget the agony I felt when I had to settle for that fourth-place ribbon in the standing long jump during my sixth grade year.

But I did forget.

However, my memories of Field Day live on. It was a time for the whole school to rejoice the arrival of spring -- not unlike this year's state championships.

We spent the entire day outside competing against our classmates and shaking off the hangover that comes from spending months inside or bundled up in a coat.

The truth is that I was never very good at those " Field Day" events. Sure I got a few ribbons over the years, but let's just say I was never the star of the class.

Unlike Jessica Peters.

Last weekend in Lakewood, the Steamboat Springs freshman had a Field Day of her own. She competed in four events on Friday and advanced to the finals in two of them by Saturday.

She would have won all the blue ribbons back at Lewis Ames.

But if you talk to coach Andy Reust he will let you know that Peters is just the tip of the iceberg for the Sailor track team.

A young runner who is expected to become Peters' teammate next season at the high school already has most of the middle school records.

Tyler Johnson also heads up a strong boys team, which is also expected to get faster next year.

Coaches are optimistic that these results will help the Steamboat track team turn the corner and become a powerhouse in the Western Slope League once again. If the number of runners out for the team this year is any indication, then the Sailors are well on their way.

This year Reust had one of the largest teams in recent memory and the middle school programs also were huge.

With runners such as Peters and Johnson, this track team might just contend for a state title again. But more important, I would take either one of them as a partner in the three-legged race.