Hall looks to guide Valor Christian to first 4A crown, Rock Canyon’s Sloan seeks fourth 5A title in 100 hurdles plus another record run in 300 hurdles

By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor 

Emily Sloan and Anna Hall will compete in similar events Thursday through Saturday at the Colorado High School Activities Association State Championships, but the close friends and FK Elite club teammates will look to make history in different ways at Jefferson County Stadium in Lakewood.

Sloan, a Rock Canyon High senior, is entered in the 5A prelims in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles, along with the 200.

Hall, a Valor Christian junior, is scheduled to compete in the 4A long jump and 200, along with the 100 and 300 hurdles, looking to be a catalyst for the Eagles, who are seeking their first team championship.

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Sloan, an Oregon signee, is looking to win a fourth state title in the 100 hurdles, along with lowering her own state record in the 300 hurdles after clocking 40.77 seconds May 10 at the Continental League Championships, elevating to the No. 17 all-time high school performer.

“It felt great to have all my hard work finally pay off because I have been mainly focusing on 300 hurdle endurance and steps for the past two months,” said Sloan, who eclipsed the 2014 record of 41.18 set by Rocky Mountain’s Carly Lester.

“Breaking the state record was my main goal for this high school season and last season and it was unfortunate that my (knee) surgery didn’t let me compete at my highest potential. Although it gave me more motivation and drive to lower it even more this season.”

Hall, who ran a personal-best 41.80 in the 300 hurdles May 2 at the Jeffco 4A/5A League meet, was inspired by Sloan’s performance.

“Oh my goodness, she shattered it. It was awesome,” Hall said. “She is my best friend and it makes me so happy to see her accomplish that because I have seen first-hand how hard she works for everything she has. She has been an amazing friend to have because we both have very big goals and hold each other accountable. I feel like even if we were lining up against each other, we are always hoping the other one will PR.”

Valor Christian is scheduled to move up to 5A next season, but Hall is hoping the Eagles can write a memorable final chapter in 4A by becoming the fourth team in as many years to win the girls title, following Air Academy, The Classical Academy and Niwot.

“The main goal this week is definitely placing as high as possible in every event to score points for the team,” Hall said. “Thankfully the schedule is a bit more spread out than it was at (Oregon Relays), so I’m hoping to put up some big points for us. We are really trying to go after the team title this year, so hopefully we can all step up and execute our race plans.”

During a 10-minute span Saturday, Sloan and Hall have the potential to become the two fastest athletes in the girls 300 hurdles in state history, barring weather or lightning delays. Sloan will also take aim at junior Masai Russell of Bullis MD, the national leader and No. 4 all-time high school performer at 40.16 seconds.

“It’s a good feeling that I did not have a clean race at all and I still ran fast,” Sloan said. “I had a few stutters (on hurdles six and seven) which killed my momentum. This weekend I want to lower my own record and get into the low 40s or maybe even sub-40 with a perfect race.”

Although Hall will have only 45 minutes following the 200 final Saturday to prepare for the 300 hurdles, with Sloan afforded only 35 minutes rest in between events, the opportunity to become Colorado’s most prominent pair in the 300 hurdles remains a strong motivation.

“It gives me tons of inspiration. I would love to run under (the old record) this weekend,” Hall said. “That would be so cool for me and my best friend and training partner to be the best in Colorado history. It will be tough, though, as the 300 hurdles final is less than an hour after the 200 final, so if that’s not what’s in store for me this week, I will definitely be coming for it next year.”

Hall is the favorite to win all four individual titles, impressive considering her strongest event is the high jump, where she is the state leader with a 5-10 clearance. Hall captured two championships last season, along with a runner-up finish in the high jump and fourth-place effort in the 400.

“Last year’s high jump state final has been stuck in my mind, so I am definitely bummed I won’t have a chance to go for the high jump title,” Hall said. “But I think ultimately it was for the best and I’m excited to compete in some events like the long jump and 200 that I’ve never gotten the chance to run at the state meet before.”

Sloan is the state leader in both hurdles, but will be an underdog in the 200 final against Denver East junior Arria Minor, the reigning 5A champion in the 100, 200 and 400. Sloan posted a state-leading 13.35 in the 100 hurdles at her league meet.

“As far as my training for the 100 hurdles, I haven’t been able to focus much on them this season as the main focus has been the 300s,” Sloan said. “It’s hard changing my stride pattern between the two races. Although I was able to PR with a time of 13.35 last weekend with not much competition and I’m looking to lower that time at state and be a four-time state champ.”

When Sloan and Hall aren’t on the track or runway this weekend, they will remain each other’s biggest supporters in their runs toward records and historical recognition.

“I feel very fresh and ready for this weekend, so I am hoping for some PRs, but I know that with prelims and finals of everything it will be a long weekend, so I’m just going to focus on competing and hopefully the marks will come,” Hall said. “I am going to miss (Emily) so much next year, but I can’t wait to root her on in her college career.”