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The I-70 Scout & Eastern Colorado News

Category: Sports Hub

  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife begins to reopen state park campgrounds May 12

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife begins to reopen state park campgrounds May 12

    DENVER — Per Governor Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is beginning to reopen campgrounds at Colorado state parks after COVID-19 closures that had been in effect since March 26. Campgrounds will begin to reopen May 12, launching a phased reopening that will occur across the park system in coordination with park managers and local officials. 

    Cabins, yurts, tipis, group facilities, and other reservable day-use facilities remain closed until further notice. Please review our best practices for camping as we begin opening to overnight visitors with continued COVID-19 restrictions in place.

    Opening dates for campgrounds at Colorado state parks:

    Tuesday, May 12 • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (Fremont County campgrounds only)

    • Chatfield State Park
    • Cherry Creek State Park
    • Eleven Mile State Park
    • Elkhead Reservoir State Park
    • Highline State Park
    • Jackson Lake State Park
    • James M. Robb CO River State Park Island Acres 
    • James M. Robb CO River State Park Fruita
    • Mancos State Park
    • Mueller State Park
    • North Sterling State Park
    • Rifle Falls State Park
    • Rifle Gap State Park
    • Staunton State Park
    • Vega State Park Wednesday, May 13 • Cheyenne Mountain State Park*
    • Crawford State Park Thursday, May 14 • Boyd Lake State Park
    • St. Vrain State Park
    • John Martin Reservoir State Park Friday, May 15 • Golden Gate Canyon State Park*
    • Lake Pueblo State Park
    • Lory State Park
    • Navajo State Park
    • Ridgway State Park The following parks continue to coordinate with local officials for reopening plans. Dates will be announced as they become available: • Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (Chaffee County campgrounds)
    • Lathrop State Park
    • Paonia State Park
    • Pearl Lake State Park
    • Stagecoach State Park
    • State Forest State Park
    • Steamboat Lake State Park
    • Sylvan Lake State Park
    • Trinidad Lake State Park
    • Yampa River State Park * Items marked with asterisks are tentative opening dates as we work with our county partners to reopen.

    The Colorado Parks and Wildlife reservation system, found at www.cpwshop.com, will have the most up-to-date information regarding availability at each park for making campsite reservations. As CPW manages this reopening process, along with managing other updates related to COVID-19, call wait times when calling CPW’s vendor, Aspira, or the CPW call center may be extensive. To avoid having to wait on hold, please visit the CPW website or cpwshop.com for information.

    Use CPWShop.com to find reservable sites

    Customers who wish to search for campsites available to reserve should visit www.cpwshop.com and click on “Visit a Park.” Here, customers can search for a park name or location, type of site, and/or date and search for available campgrounds. 

    If a customer enters specific dates and the number of nights requested, all parks with available campsites will have the option to “book sites.” If no sites are available, visitors will see an option to view the “next available date.” 

    If a specific date is not entered, customers may “search campgrounds” to view a list of all parks. They can then “check availability” at specific parks, or enter their preferred dates to see any available sites for those dates.

     

    Other state park recreation opportunities

    People may still visit state parks for day-use recreation if they are not planning to camp. As of today, non-campground outdoor areas of parks, including trails, boat ramps, marinas, and shorelines remain open. 

     

    Visitors are reminded to practice social distancing, maintain at least six feet between other visitors and wear face coverings where six feet of distance cannot be maintained. CPW managers have the discretion to close areas that do not allow for social distancing. CPW encourages people to take local county and state stay-at-home orders seriously, and limit travel to local destinations for recreating. Anyone demonstrating signs of illness, such as coughing, fever or shortness of breath should stay home. 

     

    All visitor centers and park offices remain closed, and reopening plans will be posted on the CPW website when available. Restrooms remain open, and visitors are advised to bring soap for handwashing and alcohol-based hand sanitizers when water is not available.

    Most importantly, CPW recommends that everyone follow precautionary guidance issued by the CDC, CDPHE, public local health agencies, and the Colorado Governor’s Office when recreating in the outdoors.

    Keep up to date with Colorado Parks and Wildlife

    CPW is continually monitoring COVID-19 and its impact on our customers and is committed to keeping the public informed on how the agency is responding. Visitors to all CPW parks, wildlife areas and offices are asked to follow the state’s most recent guidance on social gatherings to help slow the spread of COVID-19. 

     

    Visit the CPW website for the most up-to-date information on how CPW is supporting the state’s COVID-19 efforts, as well as our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves $4.2 million in motorized trail grants

    Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission approves $4.2 million in motorized trail grants

    DENVER – At its virtual meeting on May 6, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously approved the 2020 – 2021 OHV Trail Grant funding award recommendations for $4.273 million to fund 60 trail projects across Colorado representing 4,320 trail work days across Colorado.

    Money from Colorado OHV registrations accounts for $4 million of the funds, while the Recreational Trails Program is providing the remaining $273,000.  

    “This is literally OHV dollars going right back into the trails,” said CPW State Trails Program Manager Fletcher Jacobs. “This year we funded 36 maintenance trail crews across the state crews, 24 of which are Good Management crews, which allow our federal partners at the United State Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to get much needed consistent funding for trail crews.”

    Some of the highlights from this year’s grant award winners include:

    USFS – Dolores Ranger District: $72,000

    The Dolores Ranger District and a Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) crew will work in partnership on trail maintenance projects on the East Fork trail. The SCC crew will focus on over 6.5 miles of the East Fork trail that is in need of heavy maintenance. Work will be done on sections of the trail that require extensive drainage and tread rehabilitation. Switchbacks will be improved by utilizing climbing turns and other drainage features. 

    Grizzly Peak/Timberline Trail Reconstruction – 2021

    USFS – Gunnison Ranger District: $64,700

    This project will provide trail relocation work, heavy reconstruction, trail restoration and heavy trail maintenance to a section of the Timberline Trail #414. The primary focus will be trail reconstruction of existing trail and realignment of unsustainable trail. It is estimated that about 3 to 4 miles of trail will be reconstructed southeast of the Pieplant access point, nearly ¾ of a mile of new trail will be constructed, and approximately 2,500 lineal feet of abandoned trail will be restored. Specifically, the work will include realignments of steep trail sections, tread reconstruction, switchback construction/reconstruction, drainage installation/repair, and trail armoring techniques where needed. Restoration of abandoned trail sections, non-system routes, and trail braiding areas will be restored using log or rock check dams and trench backfill techniques. The work will be done by Forest Service personnel and volunteers and will meet or exceed Forest Service trail specifications. The primary goal of this project is to improve user experiences, create more sustainable trails, improve user safety, and to protect natural resources.

    CPRD OHV Trailhead Improvement Project  

    USFS – Conejos Peak Ranger District: $111,255

    The district’s Recreation crew along with a Southwest Conservation Crew (SCC) will work together to improve the trailheads of all of the District’s single track motorized trails. Work to be done will include: installing restrictor gates, trailhead signs, and interpretive travel management signs on travel management signs at 12 trailheads. Users will be educated on the proper use of the trails and regulations enforced by placing the needed signs and barriers at the trailheads. 

    A complete list of the 2020 – 2021 OHV Trail Grants is available here.

    About the grant process

    The Colorado State Trails Committee is responsible for the review process for the trail grant applications and makes recommendations to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission regarding funding for grants.

    The OHV/motorized trail grant selection process follows a four-tiered review and approval protocol. All grant applications are first reviewed by CPW wildlife field biologists and regional CPW staff. This process allows CPW to flag potential wildlife issues prior to the review by the subcommittees. While concerns may be flagged during this review, CPW’s field staff attempts to resolve these concerns prior to the subcommittee’s review. Next, applications are evaluated by the OHV Grant Review and Ranking Subcommittee to score and rank the OHV competitive grant applications in order of their recommended funding priority. The ranked applications are then passed to the Committee to evaluate the applications in ranked order and recommend funding strategies to the Commission. The Commission provides the final approval to the funded projects. This process invites public review and comment at four separate stages: upon submission, before the subcommittees, before the State Trails Committee and before the Commission.

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  • Camping at Colorado State Parks and State Wildlife Areas will remain Closed until Further Notice

    Camping at Colorado State Parks and State Wildlife Areas will remain Closed until Further Notice

    DENVER – Camping at Colorado state parks and State Wildlife Areas will remain closed until further notice, as Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) works to implement system-wide safety protocols related to social distancing in campgrounds. 

    Customer, volunteer, and employee safety remain a top priority. CPW is committed to providing park services at the highest level possible while also ensuring public safety. System camping cancellations will be sent via email. Currently, no definitive date is known for when sites will reopen. 

    “We understand the strain these continued closures put on all of us, and we appreciate the public’s flexibility as we work through the process of reopening,” says Dan Prenzlow, Director of Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “Our staff is working hard to make sure we can provide safe and enjoyable experiences for everyone.” 

    CPW is working with federal and local municipal partners as well as the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to determine a timeline for camping. This coordination can make predicting definitive opening dates difficult as each county faces its own unique circumstances. 

    State Park Rangers remain on duty protecting the parks and normal rules and regulations still apply. Park trail closures due to visitation or crowding will be reported on the Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) App and the CPW website. 

    Colorado counties, municipalities, and land management agencies continue to update their COVID-19 guidance including travel restrictions, road closures, and access limitations on the Colorado Counties Inc. Safer-At-Home map. Outdoor recreationists are responsible for researching and understanding park and county closures before participating in any planned local recreational activities. CPW encourages park visitors to follow trail safety etiquette and visit parks responsibly.

    CPW asks all Coloradans to respect safer-at-home orders and stay close to your home and use local trails and parks for outdoor recreation. Limiting travel for recreation helps minimize the strain of visitors on small mountain communities and creates less burden for our search and rescue and emergency responders.  

    For more information, visit the CPW COVID-19 Response website for updates on park closures, permits and licenses, and outdoor recreation policies. 

     

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  • BetOnline Quarantine Challenge

    BetOnline Quarantine Challenge

    Major League Eating has announced that it will launch the BetOnline Quarantine Challenge, a bracket-style elimination eating tournament sponsored by www.BetOnline.ag, to meet overwhelming demand for sports content from fans. The series, which will feature eight of the world’s top eaters facing off via video from their homes, will launch this Friday, April 17, at 7 pm EST, on various platforms including MLE’s YouTube channel.

    MLE’s Joey Chestnut, the top-ranked eater in the world, will compete in the BetOnline Quarantine Challenge.

    MLE’s Joey Chestnut, the top-ranked eater in the world, will compete in the BetOnline Quarantine Challenge.

    BetOnline

    BetOnline

    The field consists of Joey Chestnut, the #1-ranked eater in the world and 12-time winner of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest; Matt Stonie (255 Peeps in five minutes); Darron Breeden (528 oysters in eight minutes); world-renowned chugging champion Badlands Booker; Miki Sudo, the #1-ranked female eater in the world; Gideon Oji (25 lbs of kale salad in eight minutes); Michelle Lesco (176 gyoza in 10 minutes); and Nick Wehry (11 lbs of strawberry shortcake in eight minutes).

    Foods for each first-to-finish round are as follows:

    Qualifying Round: Sliced Bologna – two pounds

    Quarterfinals: Milk and Cookies – one family pack of Oreos and a half gallon of milk

    Semifinals: Baked Beans – 1.125 gallons (or 10 pounds)

    Finals: Ramen Noodles – 10 individual ramen cups

    “While there has been substantial discussion about which professional sport would be the first to return – with baseball, basketball, golf and MMA all floating recent potential return plans – competitive eating is first to come back. It is a powerful statement of American resilience,” said MLE Chairman George Shea, who will host the Quarantine Challenge with MLE President Rich Shea.

    BetOnline.ag has long served as the premiere online sports betting destination and, given the current lapse in sporting activity, the organization felt that partnering with MLE to create the Quarantine Challenge would create a fun way to fill the competitive void being felt by bettors and sports fans alike.

    “We all find ourselves in an unprecedented space,” Dave Mason, Brand Manager at BetOnline.ag, said. “Unfamiliar problems often require unfamiliar solutions. Hence the birth of this event. Many are familiar with the July Fourth event, but few realize that these athletes compete regularly and treat this as an actual sporting league. Our goal is to showcase the talents and skills possessed by the competitors while offering fans the chance to cheer on their favorites.”

    The competition will feature $11,500 in prize money, with $5,000 going to the winner. In addition, MLE and BetOnline.ag will donate $10,000 to Feeding America. Those wishing to make a donation can do so at https://www.feedingamerica.org/.

    The Quarantine Challenge will stream on MLE’s YouTube Channel.

     

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  • Now’s the time to submit big-game hunting applications; deadline to apply is April 7

    Now’s the time to submit big-game hunting applications; deadline to apply is April 7

    DENVER – Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s on-line hunting license application site is open around-the-clock and hunters are urged not to wait until the last minute to apply for 2020 big-game licenses. Deadline to apply is April 7 at 8 p.m.

    “When a high volume of people hit the site on the last day, that can cause system slowdowns and we want to ensure you have the ability to put in for the license you want,” said Rebecca Ferrell, public information and website manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “There’s no reason to wait until the last minute – get online now, spend some quality time with our videos, harvest data and other resources, and be sure your account is set up correctly.”

    To apply for a limited big game license, go to cpwshop.com sign in to your account and then click on the “Go Hunting and Fishing” tab in the menu bar at the top of the page. The system is set up to guide hunters easily through the well-defined steps. Hunters must be sure to have their CID number and a valid credit card before beginning the process.

     

    Hunters should go on line to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website as soon as possible to apply for limited big-game hunting licenses. Deadline to apply is April 7.

    Please review the big game section of the CPW site for background information on Colorado’s hunting seasons and how to apply. The web pages include harvest statistics from the 2019 seasons for all big-game species, seasons and units.

    You can also call CPW’s hunt planners at 303-297-1192 if you have questions. Please note that call-wait times may be lengthy as our staff is complying with current stay-at-home orders.

    Although all CPW offices are closed to the public because of the coronavirus pandemic, staff members are available to answer questions. Phone numbers and contact information are posted at all CPW offices for direct staff assistance.

    Hunters are also reminded that they are required to purchase a “qualifying license” before submitting an application. You’ll be prompted to make that purchase as you start the application process.

    For first-time hunters who have not completed a hunter education class, an apprentice certificate is available to those who are able to hunt with a mentor. Those who hunted last year with an apprentice license can obtain a second certificate. But previous year’s apprentice certificates will not be renewed automatically; you need to go to cpwshop.com and add a new profile before applying for a limited license.

    “Everything you need to apply is at your fingertips,” Ferrell said. “So please get your application in now and get ready for the fall hunting season.”

     

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  • CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species inspections underway in 2020

    CPW’s Aquatic Nuisance Species inspections underway in 2020

    DENVER – As the final winter frosts begin to thaw, reservoirs are opening to boating and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) officials are busy ramping up inspection stations for the upcoming season. Boat inspections for aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are mandatory in Colorado and required for motorized or trailered watercraft entering the state and prior to launching on most public waters within the state. 

    ANS boat inspections and COVID-19

    Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, many local and federal waters are postponing opening to boating and ANS inspections at this time. Waters operated by CPW are continuing to open and provide recreation opportunities as weather permits. Boaters are reminded not to travel long distances to go boating or fishing while the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect Colorado. Recreate at local reservoirs in compliance with the Stay-At-Home order from Gov. Jared Polis.  

          • Boaters are reminded to stay at least six feet away from inspection station staff at all times. 

    • Do not congregate in groups larger than 10 individuals and practice good social distancing in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease and Prevention and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). Local health orders may further limit group size; please be aware of local requirements.
    • Boaters should wait until the inspector calls them up to the station. 
    • Boaters should stay in their vehicles, set the parking brake, turn their vehicles off, and remain in the vehicles unless instructed by an inspector to get out and assist with the inspection. 
    • If you have a green seal receipt, please keep your window closed and show it to the inspector through the window glass. CPW reminds everyone to get a green seal and receipt after boating to speed up the next inspection. CPW is diligently working to keep state parks’s waters open for boating so the public can enjoy the health benefits associated with being outside. However, visitors must enjoy parks responsibly during the COVID-19 outbreak. It’s important for everyone to follow the recommendations from CDPHE for easy, everyday actions to protect yourself and those around you.

    Up-to-date information about how CPW is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is available on our website. 

    As waters open to boating in Colorado, aquatic nuisance species (ANS) boat inspections are underway. Keeping Colorado mussel-free depends on boaters following posted rules, purchasing an ANS stamp and undergoing mandatory inspections prior to launch.

    Reminder: Get your ANS stamp

    An ANS stamp is required prior to boating in Colorado. The stamp helps CPW fund ANS inspections, monitoring, education, and other activities across the state.

    Colorado boat owners who operate motorboats and sailboats on lakes and reservoirs must purchase a $25 ANS stamp annually. The cost of the stamp for out-of-state motorboats and sailboats is $50. Boaters from out of state can purchase online at www.cpwshop.com.

    Colorado is one of just a few states in the country that doesn’t have an infestation of adult mussels in any of its waters,” said Elizabeth Brown, invasive species program manager for CPW. “That’s directly attributable to our mandatory inspection and decontamination program that’s been in place for over a decade now.”

    There have been 281 watercraft infested with zebra or quagga mussels intercepted in the state since the program’s inception. Last year, inspectors intercepted 86 infested watercraft, a huge increase from 51 in 2018 and 26 in 2017. 

    “CPW is very confident in the statewide inspection and decontamination system to protect our waters. However, this program relies on the compliance of the boating community,” said Reid DeWalt, Assistant Director for Aquatic, Terrestrial and Natural Resources for CPW. “Boaters need to know the rules and follow them if we are going to be effective at keeping zebra and quagga mussels out of the nation’s headwaters.”

    Aquatic nuisance species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, pose a serious threat to natural resources, recreation and the water infrastructure of the state. Mussel infestations cause a variety of major problems. Because mussels consume plankton, they disrupt the food web and out-compete sport fish and native fish. Mussels clog infrastructure, including reservoir dams, outlet structures and distribution systems that carry water for irrigation, municipal and industrial uses. Mussels also infest boats and damage engines.

    Mussels have caused billions of dollars in damage, especially in the upper Midwest. Nearby states where mussel infestations exist include Utah, Arizona, Kansas, Texas, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Invasive mussels could have devastating ecological, economic, and recreational impacts if infestations were to establish here.

    “Keeping Colorado’s waters free of invasive species is critical to maintaining efficient water delivery and infrastructure systems, and providing high-quality fishing and boating opportunities for our residents and visitors,” Brown said. “The success of the ANS Program is due to the dedicated inspection and decontamination staff across the state. We are grateful to those individuals that are working on the front lines to provide recreation and protect our waters.”

    A complete list of Colorado inspection sites and hours of operation, along with information about the ANS stamp, can be found on CPW’s boating page. Always check with your destination reservoir before going to verify hours of operation.

    For more information on preventing harmful aquatic nuisance species in Colorado, visit www.cpw.state.co.us.

     

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  • Colorado State High School Basketball Tournaments – UPDATE

    Colorado State High School Basketball Tournaments – UPDATE

    A LETTER FROM COMMISSIONER RHONDA BLANFORD-GREEN TO HIGH SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS, FANS, COMMUNITIES

    Dear Colorado high school basketball participants, coaches, fans, communities, and CHSAA supporters:

     I am writing you today to keep an open line of communication from our office to you with regard to COVID-19 and our culminating championships.

     We are in direct contact with relevant state agencies, as well as the host facilities, which would guide us in making any changes in the schedule to our state basketball tournaments. Last week, we let you know that our plan is to conduct the championship events unless directed by state agencies and/or facility administration of cancellations. On Tuesday, we reiterated that plan.

     Per state guidance, and out of an abundance of caution, we are encouraging those above the age of 60, or those in at-risk populations, to avoid large crowds, as data shows they are more susceptible to contracting the COVID-19, if exposed.

     We will remain in contact with those monitoring the situation to make the best decisions on behalf of our students and our high school fans and communities.

     Our student-athletes, high school fans and communities, are at the forefront of any decisions we would make moving forward, regardless of financial impact. We fully understand and believe in what our tournaments mean to our communities, and our goal is to uphold the experience of the participants and fans without compromising health or safety. We are open to all options going forward if a directive which impacts our state tournaments is made by state agencies.

     We will continue to support the local administrative decisions made in the best interests of their school communities.

    Sincerely,

     Rhonda Blanford-Green

    CHSAA Commissioner

     

     

     

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  • Basketball postseason continues this week; first games tonight

    Basketball postseason continues this week; first games tonight

    by Steven Vetter, Managing Editor

    Seven of the eight I-70 Corridor high school basketball teams are still playing this week in their district or league tournaments.

    In 1A, the Deer Trail girls and boys both host a 1A District 7 pigtail contest tonight (Feb. 24). Both teams enter the tournament as the No. 6 seed. The Lady Eagles will host Pikes Peak Christian at 5:30 p.m. with the boys playing Hanover at approximately 7 p.m. If either team wins, they play tomorrow night in the district second round. The girls would either host Colorado School for the Deaf & Blind or travel to Kiowa. The boys would host Cripple-Creek or travel to Colorado Springs to play Pikes Peak Christian.

    Both Byers boys and girls are in the 2A District 4 quarterfinals. The Bulldog boys will host Clear tomorrow night (Tuesday, Feb. 25). The girls travel to Burlington on Wednesday, Feb. 26. If either team wins, they will play in the semifinals Thursday, Feb. 27, at Vista Peak High School in Aurora. The two girls semifinals are at 4 p.m. and approximately 7:30 p.m. while the boys games will be around 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

    Both Bennett teams won their Frontier League pigtail games Feb. 22 and will travel for the quarterfinals tomorrow (Tuesday, Feb. 25). The Tiger girls will take DSST: Montview at 6 p.m. with the boys traveling to Granby to take on Middle Park at approximately 7:30 p.m. If either team loses, they play in the consolation semifinals on Wednesday, Feb. 26. If either team wins, they will play in the championship consolation semifinals at The Pinnacle High School in Thornton; the girls games are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27, and the boys Friday, Feb. 28. Championship Saturday is on Feb. 29, also at The Pinnacle High School.

    The Strasburg boys are in the consolation semifinals of the 3A Patriot League Tournament and host Brush at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Feb. 25). With a win, the Indians will play in the fifth-place game at about 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 27, at the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland. With a loss, Strasburg will play in the seventh-place game about 10:30 a.m. that same day.

     

  • Height limits for Paralympic ‘blade runners’ baseless, study suggests

    Height limits for Paralympic ‘blade runners’ baseless, study suggests

    Before hitting the track to compete in an officially sanctioned race, some elite Paralympic sprinters must do something most runners would find incredibly unsettling: remove their legs and swap them out with ones that make them shorter.

    The unusual mandate results from a recent International Paralympic Committee rule change that lowered the Maximum Allowable Standing Height (MASH) for double, below-the-knee amputees racing in prosthetic legs. The rule, intended to prevent unfair advantages, stems from the long-held assumption that greater height equals greater speed.

     But a small, first-of-its kind University of Colorado Boulder study published today in the journal PLOS ONE concludes that isn’t the case.

     “We found that height makes no difference when it comes to maximum speed,” said senior author Alena Grabowski, an assistant professor in the Department of Integrative Physiology. “These athletes are having to buy new configurations and go through a lot of hardship and expense for a rule that is not based in science.”

     For the study, Grabowski and her co-authors recruited five elite sprinters with double below-the-knee amputations for a series of running trials on a treadmill. The runners sampled three different brands of blades, and five different combinations of stiffness and height within each brand for a total of 15 different tests. In each test, they were asked to start at a jog and push themselves to the maximum speed possible, with some achieving speeds as fast as 10.8 meters per second – about a two minute, 30-second per mile pace.

     Meanwhile, the researchers measured how the runners’ biomechanics and pace changed with each blade configuration.

     They found the shape of the prostheses undoubtedly made a difference in speed, with runners achieving maximum speeds about 8% faster in “J-shaped” prostheses – think the sleek carbon-fiber blades Oscar Pistorius used in his famous 2012 Olympic sprint –  than in “C-shaped” prostheses. But stiffness and height made no difference in runner speed.

     “Biomechanically, the idea makes sense: Longer legs equal longer steps, so you would think you should be able to run faster,” said first author Paolo Taboga, an assistant professor of biomechanics at Sacramento State University who worked on the study while a postdoctoral researcher in Grabowski’s Applied Biomechanics Lab. “But we found that while you do take longer steps, you cycle your legs slower so in the end the two even out.”

     That reality probably holds true for runners with biological legs, too.  “Being taller does not make you faster,” said Grabowski.

     The assumption that it does is taking a heavy toll on Paralympic hopefuls.

     Since the rule change took effect in January 2018, some athletes have had to spend thousands of dollars on new prostheses and months retraining themselves to run at a shorter height.

     Team USA Paralympic sprinter Regas Woods, whose profile states his height as 5’10,” had to lower his standing height inches after the change and expressed his discontent on Twitter: “I’m not 5 foot 4. Thanks for making me more disabled.”

     Olympic hopeful Blake Leeper, a double-below-the-knee amputee vying to compete against runners with biological legs in the 2020 Olympics, has also been affected, with the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) prohibiting him from racing in the IAAF World Championships in Qatar last fall due, in part, to the fact that his blades hadn’t been classified under the new standing-height formula.

     Some athletes have suffered injuries while trying to adjust to their shorter blades.

     The rule could also effectively exclude amputees whose residual limbs are already long from competing at the Paralympic level, noted co-author Owen Beck, now a postdoctoral fellow at Georgia Institute of Technology.

     “We would like to see fair and inclusive rules and regulations, which is the beauty of the Paralympic Games,” Beck said.

     The authors acknowledge that their sample size of five is small. But so is the pool of double, below-the-knee amputees sprinting at the elite level, so very little research has been done to date.

     They see the need to do a larger study.

     For now, they hope the International Paralympic Committee will take a look at their research and reconsider the height restriction.

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  • I-70 Corridor to send 15 to state wrestling tournament

    I-70 Corridor to send 15 to state wrestling tournament

    by Steven Vetter, Managing Editor

    DENVER — When the 2020 Colorado State Wrestling Championships commence this Friday (Feb. 20) at Pepsi Center in Denver the I-70 Corridor will be represented by 15 student-athletes from Bennett, Strasburg and Byers.

    Bennett qualified eight and Strasburg four from 3A Region 3 and Byers had three qualify from 2A Region 3. Bennett is tied with seven other teams for the third-most qualifiers in 3A; only three other schools had more — Jefferson and Alamosa with 10 each and Pagosa Springs with nine.

    First-round matches start at 2 p.m. on Thursday with the following locals competing in their respective 16-man bracket:

    BENNETT & STRASBURG IN 3A

    • 106 pounds: Bennett sophomore John Faczak (40-7 record) will face Berthoud freshman Will Moneypenny (27-12) in the preliminaries.

    • 120 pounds: Bennett freshman Carson Hawkins (28-15) will face Pagosa Springs junior Erik Wyman (41-5) in the opening round.

    • 132 pounds: Strasburg freshman Zach Marrero (27-3), a 3A Region 3 weight champion, will take on Platte Valley sophomore Orrin Jackson (26-9). Bennett Freshman Isaak Copeland (25-20) will take on Berthoud senior Colton Williams (21-10).

    • 138 pounds: Bennett freshman Wesley DuBois (26-15) will face off against Woodland Park junior Colton Simonis (11-4).

    • 152 pounds: Bennett senior Joe Jordan (37-7) will take on Eaton freshman Ryder True (21-12).

    • 170 pounds: Bennett junior Mac Copeland (40-2), a regional champion, will take on Olathe junior Wyatt Mansker (20-6). Strasburg junior Blake Coombs (15-7) faces off with Alamosa senior Hunter Smith (41-6). Both Copeland and Coombs are on the bottom side of the bracket and, if both win their first two matches, they would face each other in the semifinals.

    • 182 pounds: Bennett junior Cody DuBois (35-3), the Tigers’ second regional champion, takes on Lamar junior Anthony Martinez (27-8).

    • 195 pounds: Bennett senior Casey Harvey (25-9) faces Steamboat Springs senior John Stowey (37-9). Strasburg senior Trevor Smith (22-12) takes on Delta senior Gauge Lockhart (29-5).

    •  220 pounds: Strasburg senior Chad Sutherland (31-10) takes on Severance sophomore Cody King (27-9).

    BYERS IN 2A

    • 132 pounds: Bulldog freshman Lain Yapoujian (34-6), a 2A Region 3 champion, faces Dolores Huerta junior Xavier Mendoza (29-14).

    • 138 pounds: Bulldog senior Wyatt Yapoujian (37-4), another regional champion and the No. 1 seed entering state, takes on West Grand junior Rene Dominguez (12-9).

    • 220 pounds: Bulldog senior Wyatt Vermeer (11-24) takes on Monte Vista junior Ethan Hotz (28-9).

    Second round action on both the consolation and championship parts of the bracket start Friday morning.