Coal Ridge's Aiden Huey Earns Class 3A Track Athlete of the Year

Aiden Huey is the third Titan in history to be named Class 3A Track Athlete of the Year. That’s not a participation trophy. That is a statistical outlier that demands attention.

For context, being named Athlete of the Year is significantly more difficult than Coach of the Year. Ben Kirk, the head Titans coach, put it plainly: it requires four years of intense work paired with what he calls "God-given talent." Huey didn’t just show up. He dominated the 110-meter hurdles and the triple jump, securing first-team honors in both.

The Coal Ridge track and field program is no longer just a contender; it’s becoming one of the most feared on the Western Slope. The boys team brought home the program’s first state banner in May. The girls team, while missing the podium in back-to-back years, finished as a top-five program in Class 3A, just 10 points shy of the state championship last year.

Let’s look at the roster depth. Six representatives made the CHSAA’s 2025-26 Class 3A All-State roster. That includes Huey, junior Marcus Munoz (long and triple jump), senior Kai Osterle (300-meter hurdles), sophomore Clayton Terrell (triple jump), junior Lexi Thurmon (400-meter hurdles), and junior Kina Will (100 and 300-meter hurdles).

The second team tells a different story about the program’s breadth. It’s filled with relay specialists and younger athletes finding their footing. Freshman Adealyn Nunn, junior Effie Fletcher, junior Hailey Whitman, and senior Faye Goodman anchored the girls’ 4×800-meter relay. Allison Smythe and senior Jordan Terrell handled the girls’ 4×200. On the boys’ side, sophomore Edward Roberts and seniors Evan Dujka and Giovanni Parker formed the 4×100 relay core.

Kirk attributes this success to a culture that promotes multisport athletes. He argues that when kids from across all sports, ages, and genders are acknowledged at the state level, it validates the school’s broader athletic philosophy. It’s not just about the track stars; it’s about a system that produces them.

But the story doesn’t end at the Coal Ridge fence. The Garfield County showing extends into swimming and other sports, proving this isn’t an isolated incident for one school.

The Glenwood Springs Demons boys swim team also made headlines, though the source text cuts off before detailing their specific achievements. What we do know is that swimming is part of the broader spring All-State narrative for the county.

Other Garfield County athletes earned recognition too. Rifle senior Rylan Petree took first team honors in the 400-meter dash. Rifle senior Yadier Loya earned second team in discus. Grand Valley senior Daniel Gronewoller made second team in high jump, while junior Kylene Mascioli did the same in 300-meter hurdles. Coal Ridge junior Jayden Emery received honorable mention in shot put.

This isn’t just a list of names. It’s a reflection of where the money and attention are going in local high school sports. The investment in facilities, coaching staffs, and training programs is paying off in tangible results. The "feared" label on Coal Ridge isn’t marketing fluff. It’s a result of consistent performance.

The practical impact? These athletes are drawing college scouts. They are raising the profile of Garfield County high schools. And they are setting a higher bar for the next generation. The cost? Local taxpayers and school districts are footing the bill for the facilities and staff that make this possible. The return on investment is visible on the podium.

The data is clear. Coal Ridge is building a dynasty. Glenwood is a powerhouse. And the rest of the county is catching up. The question isn’t if they’ll stay at the top. It’s how long it will take for the competition to close the gap.