by Mark Watson

SPORTS EDITOR

Grantsville's Dustin Durfee sprinted to first-place finishes in the 300 meter hurdles and 400 meters Saturday at the Tooele Invitational to qualify for state in both events. Durfee clocked 41.31 in the 300 meter hurdles and 51.11 in the 400. He also has qualified for state in the 110 hurdles.

"He has the natural ability, but he also works very hard to improve. He pushes himself," said coach Steve Allen. "There are not a lot of people competing in his events on our team so he has been self motivated."

The Cowboys' Ashley Bartlett was named female athlete of the meet at Tooele. She placed first in the 100 meters and first in both the long jump and high jump. She also runs on the 4x400 relay team.

"She is a workhorse. She works hard at being the best she can be. Ashley is one of the most self-critical person I've met which helps her improve," her coach said.

"Collin Thompson has been a real big surprise for us this year in terms of improvement from last year. He's qualified for state in the javelin with a throw of 167 feet. That is 20 feet better than his best throw last year," Allen said.

Thompson finished first in the javelin at the Tooele Invitational.

Another athlete who seems to be at the top of his game this year is distance runner Brian Peterson who won the 1600 meters on Saturday. His coach said he clocked his best time of the season in the event at the Box Elder Relays with a time of 4:49.

Basketball star Sammie Jensen is starting to focus on hurdles, according to her coach. "She could do some amazing things in the hurdles. She placed in the 300 hurdles last year in state," Allen said.

Returning senior Jessica Collings is strong in the 800 and 400. "The 800 is a tough race and really taps into your energy system. Jessica is the heart-and-soul person of the team. She works hard and encourages others to do better," the coach said.

Boys Invitational Results

3200 meters: 3. Ian Anderson 5. Jared McBride 7. Daniel Lewis 100 hurdles: 2. Dustin Durfee 4. Shane Bakker 5. Mitch Shumway 6. Caleb Killpack Discus: 5. Ben Pixton 6. Ben Vera Shot put: 1. Collin Thompson 4. Pixton 100 meters: 4. Wayne Loakes 8. Garreth Anderson 400 meters: 1. Durfee 5. Dax Levine 7. Cody Colson Long jump: 5. Jordan Wanberg 6. Ty Davis 7. Ian Anderson High jump: 1. Wanberg 2. Caleb Killpack Javelin: 2. Thompson 5. Shumway 7. Dane Lehrdahl 300 hurdles: 1. Dustin Durfee 4. Bakker 5. Dane Durfee 800 meters: 2. Colson 4. Tyson Lambert 5. Ian Anderson 200 meters: 1. Austin Killpack 5. Austin Gumucio.

Grantsville finished first in the medley relay with the team of Gareth Anderson, Wayne Loakes, Dax LeVine and Brian Peterson.

Girls Invitational Results

3200 meters: 3. Michelle Meredith 7. Mcall Pomeroy 100m hurdles: 1. Ashley Bartlett 4. Jentry Principe 5. Lori Gallup Shot put: 7. Ashley Warr 8. Emily Johnson 400 meters: 1. Rachel Topham Long jump: 2. Bartlett 6. Lyndee Hall High jump: 1. Bartlett 2. Topham Javelin: 1. Ashlie Warr 5. Whitney Grass 7. Emily Johnson 1600 meters: 1. Jessica Collings 3. Alyssa Roberts 5. Michelle Meredith 300 hurdles: 2. Jentry Principe 4. Gallup 800 meters: 1. Collings 2. Roberts 4. Emily Larkin 6. Jessica Aure

Grantsville finished first in the 4X400 relay with the team of Roberts, Bartlett, Topham and Collings.

mwatson@tooeletranscript.com