Overland’s Jarrius Ward shatters 5A boys discus state meet record

LAKEWOOD — Overland junior Jarrius Ward got his revenge and broke a 47-year-old record in the process Thursday morning during Day 1 of the track and field state championships.

Ward had a discus throw of 203-feet, 4-inches during the preliminaries of the Class 5A boys discus competition. The monster throw shattered the previous record of 192-5 by Todd Austin of Westminster set in 1977.

“I had to get my revenge for what happened last year,” said Ward, who finished second to Chatfield’s Charlie LaFore in both the discus and shot put a year ago. “He defintely took that first place from me last year. I had to take it back.”

LaFore came in as the favorite and defending state champion in the discus. The senior that will throw at Kansas State University next year finished second behind Ward with a throw of 193-06, which also passed the pervious 5A state meet mark.

“I was just out here to compete with my teammate Charlie,” Ward said of going head-to-head against his club teammate.

None of Ward’s three throws in the finals were a good mark due to fouls. However, there was one that brought some excitement. His first throw in the finals was thrown out-of-bounds and actually cleared the fence to the north parking lot of the stadium.

“Luckily there wasn’t anybody over there at the moment,” Ward said of throw that hit a tree and dropped down on the sidewalk out side the stadium. “It was a little scary. Luckily nobody got hurt.”

The only thing that took a beating was the old 5A state meet record that Ward broke. The all-classification set record of 214-5 set in 2009 by Mason Finley of Buena Vista could be in danger next year.

If Ward continues to add distance there might be a chance that they could move the discus event just outside the stadium next year where it was held in 2009.

“It would be nice to maybe change location because I throw too far,” Ward said of perhaps moving the discus to where it was held in 2009 when Finley set the current all-classification set mark.

Ward will also compete in the 5A shot put Saturday to wrap up his junior year. Ward’s goal is to throw over 60 feet, but is already predicting the winner.

“Charlie defintely has that one,” Ward said. “He’ll finish off his year and career with a first-place finish.”

At lot of eyes were also on the 4A boys shot put competition. Golden senior Montrey Strickland was going after his first state title, along with trying to set a new record in the 4A shot put. Carlos Tarin holds the 4A state meet record of 60-04.75 set in 1997.

“When you try to go for any mark your form get disjointed. That is what happens,” Strickland said. “Your performance can fall apart.”

Strickland admitted he was a little tired in the morning, but still accomplished his top goal of becoming a state champion. His throw of 59-04 was 5 feet longer than Montrose’s Trevor Hill that finished second.

“I just needed to get the nerves out,” Strickland said of putting up a throw of 55-7 on his first throw. “I was more worried about myself and how I would do. I was worried about anyone else except for myself.”

Strickland just found out today that he was named the Jeffco 4A Male Athletic of the Year.

“It was very surprising,” Strickland said of the honor. “A thrower winning that is just insane.”

Strickland, who will play football at the University of Northern Colorado — was a three-sport athlete this year playing football and basketball, along with being one of the top discus and shot put throwers in the state.

The senior will finish out his prep career with the 4A discus on Saturday during the final day of the state meet.

“I just want to throw as far as I can and see what happens,” Strickland said. “I’m going to be there to win.”