Steamboat Pilot & Today

Any questions concerning the capabilities of this year's Soroco male sprinters have been answered.

One year after losing Kory Babcock and Trevor Ellis to graduation and Carl Remick to relocation, the Rams have filled in the holes and put together a talented foursome.

Tony Iacovetto and Andy deGanahl, both seniors, have returned to lead the team in the 800-meter relay. Senior Matt Iacovetto and sophomore Steve Meade have filled in for Babcock and Ellis.

On Thursday, the team easily prequalified for the state meet, winning the event in 1 minute, 33.63 seconds at the North Park Invitational hosted by Moffat County. Only Limon has turned in a better time this year.

"They are proving to be faster than I thought," Soroco coach Gary Heide said. "I knew we had to have that day to make a big leap and did we ever (Thursday)."

Last year, Soroco won the 800- and 1,600-meter relay state titles. Only deGanahl is back off last year's dominating 1,600-meter relay team, leaving questions about how competitive a group Soroco could piece together this season.

Meade, Tony and Matt Iacovetto have accepted the challenge of continuing Soroco's sprint dominance at the state level. On Thursday, the same four ran a 3:35.49, more than two seconds below prequalifying time, to win the event in Craig.

It is about the same time last year's squad was running in mid-April. Only Limon and Wray have turned in faster times this year.

Tony Iacovetto ran an even faster split in his 400-meter leg, turning in a 54.4. Meade came around in 56 seconds, and deGanahl anchored the relay with a split of 49.5.

"That puts us right up there," Heide said. "We do have a chance to defend. We wanted to go back and defend and have it be realistic."

DeGanahl appears to be in state title form in his 400 and 200 races. Having turned in several sub-50 second times in the 400 this year, deGanahl has turned in two sub-23 second times in the 200 in less than a week.

On Thursday, he ran a 22.52 to win the race. It was the same time he ran to win the state title in the 200 last season. Tony Iacovetto finished third in 23.49, just missing out on prequalifying as an individual. Hayden's Evan Hilling was second. Last year, Hilling placed third at state in the 200.

"If Tony runs up with Hilling, there's no way he can't make state," Heide said. "Hilling is a class act."

DeGanahl also prequalified for state in the open 100, winning the race in 11.42, though he likely won't run it. Tony Iacovetto finished fourth behind Hilling and Hayden's Jesse Drennan.

But the boys weren't the only ones prequalifying for state Thursday.

Right after winning the 400 meters, junior Kyla Schmidt headed toward the long jump pit and soared 15 feet, 9 inches to earn a return trip to state.

Up next for Soroco is an all-day meet Saturday in Glenwood Springs. The full team is expected to attend.