Photo: Jen Jardeleza/MileSplit Colorado
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After weeks of top-notch competition, we're in the thick of in-state championships at the moment, and the stars are out.
Before they head off to their respective powerhouses in August, Fremont's Nebraska (Neb.) Juan Gonzalez and Denver East's Rosie Mucharsky (Col..) took care of business ahead of their state championships.
What better way to win your eighth league title than by running the fastest 1600m of your career? At his final HAC Championship, the future Oregon Duck clocked 4:03.08, a huge PB. He hasn't had an incredibly busy outdoor campaign, but in his third 1600m race of the year, he put pedal to the metal. Winning by 15 seconds, Gonzalez led the Tigers to a 1-3-7 finish in the race and a third-place team finish. Gonzalez also lowered the state record and now owns seven in total across all three seasons. 
In just a few months, Mucharsky will take her talents to South Bend, Indiana, where she'll join the distance powerhouse Notre Dame. However, she's got a few things to take care of before then.
Mucharsky lowered her SB by seven seconds at the HOKA St. Vrain Invitational, running 4:46.02 to hold Niwot's Addy Ritzenhein off. In total, the senior was one of nine girls to break 5:00, the senior was one of four total girls under 5:00, and led another 21 under 5:10. For now, she sits No. 7 in state history, and would move up to No. 6 if she can break 4:45.