LAKEWOOD – Annabelle Weaver added a medal from Colorado’s state track and field meet to her collection after a couple of stops around the globe.
“I grew up in Texas, but I was born in Russia,” Weaver, a recent graduate of Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (CSDB), said through a sign language interpreter after placing eighth in the Class 1A 3200 meters.
“My hearing family adopted me, and we lived in Texas. That’s where I (previously) went to school and raced.”
That’s also where Patrick and Dalena Weaver, now Pagosa Springs residents, realized their new adopted daughter had a gift. While Annabelle communicates easiest with a translator, she doesn’t need any help once the starting gun goes off.
Mitchell’s Daryon Wilson competes in the 4A long jump Thursday at the state track and field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
Mitchell fans celebrate Daryon Wilson’s 4A state championship-winning long jump Thursday at the state track and field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
Annabelle Weaver, right, a senior at the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind, placed eighth in the 1A girls’ 3,200 on Thursday at the state track and field championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
Banning Lewis senior Mikayla Hutchison competes Thursday in the 100-meter hurdles on Day 1 of the state track and field championship at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood.
June 24, 2021 – Spectators line the fence to watch the action during the second session of track and field. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Mitchell Anderson of TCA prepares for his throw during the boys 3A shot put. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Mitchell Anderson of TCA grimaces during his throw in the boys 3A shot put. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – TCA runner rounds the turn during their heat of the Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Jahzara Davis of Sand Creek eyes the finish line in the girls 100 meter dash in 4A. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Myia Dantzler of Discovery Canyon, Janise Everett of Mesa Ridge (M) and Kaleah Ruff of Mullen battle to the finish line during the girls 100 meter dash in 4A. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Air Academy, Grand Junction, Cheyenne Mountain head dow the track in the boys 100 meter dash in 4A. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Early morning crowd take not he action during the Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Bryesen Roman of Pine Creek down the stretch in 5A action. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Jadyn Ledoux of Sand Creek hits the pit during her attempt in the girls 4A long jump competition. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – 4A girls stand on the podium during the awards ceremony. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Air Academy 4A girls stand on the podium during the awards ceremony. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Air Academy celebrate their 4th place finish during the Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Air Academy celebrate their 4th place finish during the Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Air Academy celebrate their 4th place finish during the Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Pole vaulters warm up prior to the competition at The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Pole vaulters warm up prior to the competition at The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Pine Creek runner turns the corner during 5A action. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Gabriella Beuperthuy of Doherty makes a throw in the girls 5A shot put. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Abigail Dall of Palmer Ridge makes her throw in the girls 4A discus competition. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Mikayla Hutchison of Banning Lewis eyes the finish line in the girls 100 meter dash. The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships kicked off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Tahjy McFall of Peyton explodes forms he block during their heat at The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Jumper shakes off her shoe during the long jump competition during The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Waiting for their heat to begin during The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
June 24, 2021 – Pine Creek runner turn the corner during The Colorado High School State Track & Field Championships off at Jeffco Stadium in Lakewood. (Photo by John Leyba)
“We figured out real quick she had a gift for running because we would go out for a five-miler and she would tag along,” Dalena said. “I thought, ‘that’s not by accident.’”
The Weavers moved to Colorado a couple of years ago, limiting Annabelle to one state meet showing after last season was canceled. She won her regional race in 13 minutes, 4.6 seconds and entered Thursday’s race with the third-best seed time. Annabelle went out fast, something she’s been coached on since adjusting to Colorado’s altitude, and drifted back to eighth place with a final time of 14:08.73. Heritage Christian’s Ainsley Stanton won the 1A 3,200 meters in 12:44.87.
“It was a good run, but my breathing was really kind of off the whole race,” Annabelle said.
Mom explained there’s a reason for that beyond the warm, late-June temperatures.
“She has a very restrictive ability to breathe,” Dalena said. “For her to get out there and compete with the state’s best for 1A is pretty impressive.”
CSDB track and field coach Max Wilding, a former Bulldog himself, agreed.
“Annabelle did really good,” Wilding said through assistant Janey Heard, who also serves as the team’s translator.
“It’s nice to have our school represented and the deaf community as well.”
Annabelle aspires to do more of that in the future. The family hopes she will be able to take part in CSDB’s post-graduate program, while Annabelle’s competitive itch hasn’t been sufficiently scratched despite medaling in her only state meet.
“I want to join the CSDB Bridges to Life program, but I want to also run … because I am a good runner and have been for a while. I have a lot of medals at home,” Annabelle said.
“I want to become a coach and compete with cross country.”
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