Pueblo South’s Ken Harriman admits the pressures of attempting to win his third consecutive Class 4A state championship in the shot put are present as he begins his senior campaign.

“Of course, I feel it, but I want to push hard and drive off it,” Harriman said. “And at the same time I want to improve my finish last season in the discus, as well. I’ll push as hard as I can to get better in both events.”

Harriman won the shot last season in competition at Jefferson County Stadium, with a heave of 55 feet, the same distance he threw as a sophomore. He placed fourth in the discus, with a throw of 158 feet, 5 inches. Fort Morgan defending champion Joe Hochanadel won with a throw of 167-9.

Hochanadel, a good friend of Harriman, was third in the shot put, with a heave of 55-9. The two look for another season of hard-fought competition as the top returnees in the classification in both events.

“Joe is absolutely my competition this season,” said the 6-foot-3, 265-pound Harriman, who was the state runner-up in the shot put as a freshman. “There is a lot of good history between us, and we’re good friends. But when we enter the rings, we can only think about how we personally are going to do. Through the season, though, someone else could step up to challenge us.”

Harriman suffered a knee injury while playing football this past season and a key will be how the injury has healed.

“The knee has responded well to treatment and from my workouts,” said Harriman, who had a best toss of 56-3 last season in the regional meet. “Right now I feel that it is actually stronger than last season. With the hard work, I think I’m capable to throw over 60 feet in the shot and, hopefully, better than 170 in the discus.”

There’s definitely a reason to look for big changes in the discus for Harriman. His best throw entering state was 139 feet, at the Pueblo Centennial Invitational.

There was discussion last year between Harriman and his coach, Matt Graham, as to whether he should change his techniques in the shot from what is called the “glide” to that of the “spin.” Graham has been Harriman’s weights coach the past three seasons but has taken the reins as the head coach replacing John Lenhart, South’s coach the past 37 seasons.

“Ken’s a hard-working kid, but we’ve decided to stay with the glide this season,” Graham said. “The injury to his knee was a concern of mine, and it’s not that easy of an adjustment to make from the two techniques. In the discus, we just have to work on him getting his throws higher in the air. Last year, he was throwing line drives about 6 to 7 feet off the ground.

“He’s just a bit behind in his training because of his injury,” Graham said. “But we still expect nothing but the best from him. He’s a leader, the kids look up to him and we’re all looking for a fine season.”

Last season also was the final one as far as football is concerned for Harriman. He hasn’t chosen a college but has Colorado State at the top of his list.

“I’m not going to play football in college,” Harriman said. “I just want to concentrate on track and my studies.”

Starting line

CLASS 4A TOP 10

1. Mullen: Andrew Berberick and pole vault runner-up Elliott Beski lead a group of 10 returning state qualifiers.

2. Sierra: Three-event state champion Kelby Dias could help propel the Stallions to the state title.

3. Longmont: Daniel Berry, Tevan McIntire and Aaron Praska put the Trojans in the title picture.

4. Pueblo South: The Colts appear to have a lot more depth to go with shot put champion Ken Harriman.

5. Falcon: Distance runners Wes Rickman and Kevin Johnson key the Falcons.

6. Niwot: The Cougars gained experience behind state place winners Alex Paul, Matthew Nam and Peter Neis.

7. Wheat Ridge: The Farmers will build around Henry Cowhick and Dart Schwaderer to spark a state run.

8. Sterling: The Tigers’ bid will be led by pole vaulter Steve Richendifer and jumper Colby Starkebaum.

9. Windsor: The Wizards have the depth to score big points in the middle and distance events.

10. Glenwood Springs: Hurdlers Dakota Stonehouse and Kurt Hartmann will lead the much-improved Demons.

TOP RETURNEES

Athlete, School, Year

Andrew Berberick, Mullen, Sr. State finish: First, 800

Elliott Beski, Mullen, Sr. State finish: Second, pole vault

Henry Cowhick, Wheat Ridge, Sr. State finish: Third, 800 (5A)

Kelby Dias, Sierra, Sr. State finish: First, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles and long jump

Ian Donaldson, Broomfield, Sr. State finish: Second, 800

Ken Harriman, Pueblo South, Sr. State finish: First, shot put

Joe Hochanadel, Fort Morgan, Sr. State finish: First, discus; third, shot put

Kevin Johnson, Falcon, Sr. State finish: Third, 3,200

Steven Richendifer, Sterling, Jr. State finish: Third, pole vault

Wes Rickman, Falcon, Sr. State finish: First, 1,600

Dakota Stonehouse, Glenwood Springs, Sr. State finish: Third, 300 hurdles

NOTEBOOK

Sierra’s Kelby Dias took the Class 4A state track meet by storm last season, winning three individual titles, in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles and the long jump. He also ran a leg on the Stallions’ 800-relay team.

Dias, who was selected the All-Colorado sprinter/jumper of the year, will be going for this third titles in both hurdle events. He won the 110s with a time of 14.09 seconds and the 300s in 37.59. He clipped the long jump with a 22-foot, 2.75-inch effort, and helped Sierra run a time of 1 minute, 28.99 seconds in the 800 relay.

Sierra, coached by Joe Fassler, begins the season in the No. 2 spot behind Mullen. Only four state qualifiers return, but 16 lettermen are back to help support Dias.

Sprinter Jarvis Harrod, who also ran a leg on the championship relay team, returns, as do state qualifiers Xavier Newton in the high jump and Terrance Thomas in the discus.

Mullen, coached by John Hancock, has had to settle for second place the past three seasons. The Mustangs, who are seeking their 11th title in the past 16 years, have the talent to win it all. But they still have to be wary of defending champion Longmont, ranked No. 3, and Sierra.

Andrew Berberick, who won the title in the 800 (1:53.56), was fourth in the 1,600 (4:26.08) and fifth in the 3,200 (9:55.92), and Elliott Beski, who was second in the pole vault (16-0) and fourth in the 300 hurdles (39.6) certainly will play key roles.

The Mustangs also will have ample help from eight other returning state qualifiers, including Alejandro Katz, who was eighth in the 800. They are also looking for big things from sprinters Alex Logan and Josh Ford.

Longmont, under the guidance of 2008 All-Colorado coach Tim McIntire, should not be counted out of the title picture. State place winners Daniel Berry (fourth in the 400, seventh in the 200), junior Aaron Praska (seventh in both hurdles) and junior Tevan McIntire, a field-event specialist (fifth, triple jump; sixth, long jump; ninth, high jump), are back to pace the Trojans.

Falcon’s Wes Rickman, who was the runner-up in the 1,600, and Kevin Johnson, third in the 3,200, could rule the two long distance events this season. The Falcons also could pick up valuable state points from hurdler Bryce Lane, who just missed qualifying for the finals in each event last season.

Wheat Ridge should be a squad to watch, as the Farmers have dropped from the 5A ranks. Henry Cowickm, who placed third in the 800 and fourth in the 1,600 last season, is among the top prospects. There is depth in the distance events, too, behind Dart Schwarderer in the 3,200 (fourth) and junior Scott Faublem (seventh).

Dakota Stonehouse, an all-state quarterback in football for Glenwood Springs, also is tabbed as a top challenger to Dias in the 300 hurdles. He was third in the 300s and also placed ninth in the 110s.

Widefield took it on the chin through graduation, but the Gladiators still have Derek McAllister, who was fifth in the 400 at state and certainly is a contender for the title this season.

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