The Rampart Rams are fine with not being a favorite.

They compete in the same classification and league as Fountain-Fort Carson, which won its 18th state boys' track and field championship last year.

The Rams see this as a challenge that could help them improve.

“It's a blessing and a curse to have a state champion in your league,” Rampart’s third-year coach Robert Young said. “It's a blessing because when you show up to league, you have to bring it.

"I don't mind having the bar there. They're winning and that's where the bar is. If we want to be compete state-wise, we get to see it.”

And this year, the Rams are a well-rounded team — from distance and sprint events to the high jump, discus and shot put.

Leading the way in the sprinting events are seniors Jared Behm, Sadio Fenner and Caleb Vaters and juniors Jake Pavlica, Ethan Temby, while seniors Connor McCabe and Afe Zeru and freshman Ben Conlin are key distant runners.

Junior Jacob Jeong and senior Josh Kavalec are expected to contribute in the throwing and jumping events, respectively.

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“Our coaching staff’s goal for the last couple years (is) we score in so many places that it's difficult to run and beat us,” Young said. “Because you beat us in one spot, we're going to pick up some points somewhere else.”

McCabe is expected to bring the long-distance runners together.

At the cross county state meet last year, he was the Pikes Peak region’s top finisher in Class 5A after he took sixth in 16 minutes, 4.4 seconds. That was enough to lead the Rams to a third-place finish in the team standings.

McCabe also was the 5A Colorado Springs Metro League champion.

If he qualifies for the state meet this season, he’d be the team's only four-time state qualifier, according to Young. McCabe has finished in the top 15 in the 3,200-meter run during the past three years.

McCabe understands the pressure, but he’s not thinking about that too much. He just wants to help the team become stronger and more competitive as the season goes on.

“I’m just kind of one of the guys,” said McCabe, who’s being recruited by several colleges across the country. “I’m not anything too special. I’m just a little faster. We're all brothers on the track team.

"I just have a little bit more experience, a little bit more speed than some of the other people. I use that to teach them what it's like to be a dedicated athlete and help them develop and reach their full potential just like I'm trying to.”

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