LAKEWOOD — By the time Cherokee Trail’s Peyton Sommers crossed the finish line in the 5A boys 400-meter final, he wasn’t just chasing another title—he was digging deep to protect a legacy built on speed, grit, and unmatched consistency.
Running with a nagging hamstring injury, Sommers fought through visible pain and held off Valor Christian junior Ryan Fick to win the state championship in 47.09 seconds—a new Colorado No. 1 and U.S. No. 44 time this season. Fick was just behind at 47.17 in a finish that brought the Jeffco Stadium crowd to its feet.
“I had to give it everything,” Sommers said. “That’s the thing about the 400—you come off the curve and you don’t know what’s going on behind you. I just tried to stay locked in and finish. I saw this dude on my right shoulder and thought, alright—this is it.”
Pushing Through the Pain
The title, Sommers’ 11th career CHSAA state championship, didn’t come easily. The junior standout revealed that he entered the state meet uncertain about his health after a tough week of recovery.
“Last week, I was crying my eyes out,” Sommers admitted. “Asking, ‘Why me? Why now?’ But then I realized—if God is giving me this challenge, it means I can handle it. I just had to embrace it.”
Instead of leaning on rest or holding back, he stayed warm, stayed focused, and raced through discomfort. “I didn’t ice it—it would’ve tightened it up,” he said. “I’ve had enough experience with hamstrings. I just stayed wrapped and ready. No excuses.”
The reward? A gold medal—and a tumble at the finish line.
“It was worth it,” he said with a smile. “Always worth it.”
The Most Decorated Sprinter in Colorado?
Peyton Sommers’ resume already rivals that of any prep sprinter in Colorado history. Across three seasons, he’s racked up:
- 6 individual state titles (100m, 200m x2, 400m x3)
- 5 relay titles (4x200m x2, 4x400m x3 — anchored all)
- 3 consecutive team championships with Cherokee Trail (2022, 2023, 2024)
The win also marked Sommers’ third consecutive 5A state title in the 400 meters, making him a back-to-back-to-back champion in one of the most grueling events on the track. His three-peat cements him as one of the most dominant quarter-milers Colorado has ever seen.
In 2023, Sommers claimed gold in the 200m, 400m, and anchored the 4x200m. This spring, he swept the sprint triple crown—winning the 100m, 200m, and 400m—and again anchored the 4x200m and 4x400m to victories. His anchor leg in the 4x400m helped set a new Colorado No. 1 and U.S. No. 90 time.
But his track dominance started early. As a freshman in 2022, he anchored Cherokee Trail’s 4x400m relay team to a state title. By the end of that season, he was already part of a team title and a state record pursuit.
Now, heading into his senior year, he’ll be the face of a dynasty—and the leader of a team looking to win its fourth straight team title.
More Than a Time on the Clock
Even though Sommers’ 47.09 wasn’t his personal best, it carried the most weight.
“This one means more because of the adversity,” he said. “Honestly, it was probably the worst race I’ve ever run at Jeffco. But it meant more because of what I went through just to get to the line.”
Through it all, Sommers has emerged as one of Colorado’s most mentally tough athletes. His dominance isn’t just about winning races—it’s about overcoming setbacks and showing up when it matters most.
As for what’s next? Sommers says he’s staying locked in for postseason races and long-term goals at the collegiate level.
“God wouldn’t have put this in front of me if I wasn’t built for it,” he said. “Now I’m ready to finish the season strong and come back next year better than ever.”
Denver Sports Media 
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