By Dennis Pleuss
Pomona senior Ryan Marquez is wrapping up one of the most impressive 3-year runs athletically by a three-sport athlete in Jeffco.
“It’s been an amazing run and I’ve loved every second of it,” said Marquez, who played in three 5A state football games, along with playing basketball and running track at Pomona. “It feels right. Everything is wrapping up right for high school. Now it’s time to take this success and momentum into college.”
Marquez will play football at the University of Wyoming next fall, but he had some unfinished business to take care of last weekend at Jeffco Stadium. Marquez was successful in getting personal records in the 110 and 300 hurdles to set the school record in both events.
“My focus all season has really to get that 110,” said Marquez, who ran a 14.46 in the 5A boys 110 hurdles and 38.75 in the 5A boys 300 hurdles to win both events. “I just want to go out on top.”
There was a big question if Marquez would get his chance to shine his senior year after suffering a broken left arm Oct. 7 at Shea Stadium in Pomona’s football league opener against Rock Canyon.
“I was in tears when I was walking off because the trainer there told me I wouldn’t be back on the (football) field the rest of the season,” said Marquez, who did return for Pomona’s run to an eventual 5A state football title. “I had nothing going for me and this was my year to prove myself as a quarterback. Thinking my opportunity was gone really brought
be down.”
Marquez was nearly perfect in Pomona’s title game against Eaglecrest. He was 20-for-22 passing for 345 yards and five touchdowns in the 56-49 victory. On the basketball
court he averaged more than a dozen points per game along with 6.6 rebound and 4.1 assists to help guide the Panthers to one of their best hoops seasons in several years.
Marquez, who will be at the three-day state track meet May 17-19, is a huge believer in the three-sport athlete.
“Each sport complements one another,” Marquez said. “Going into college I wanted to keep my competitive edge, keep competing out here. I love this. It’s fun. It’s always a good time.”
It will be an end of an era for Pomona when Marquez isn’t on the field, court or track next season.
“It’s sad parting ways with something this great,” Marquez said as his time on the high school stage comes to a close.
Standley Lake junior Tyler Williams has another year after this school year comes to a close, but he is already breaking his own records on the track. Williams shattered his old 4A Jeffco League record in the 400 on Saturday by nearly a second.
“It was very important,” Williams said of his 47.51 seconds run in the 400 that broke his old meet record of 48.37 he set last year. “Trying to improve always.”
Williams has qualified for state in the 100, 200, 400 and 4x200 relay. He plans on running in all four events. Williams said he would like to win all four
events, but would be OK with finishing top-3 in the 100, 200, 400 and 4x200 relay in a few weeks at state.
“We’ll see what happens when
state comes,” said Williams, who won all four events at Jeffco conference championships. “It’s a lot in three days with four events.”