PROVO — High school athletes from across the state will converge at Brigham Young University this weekend for Utah High School Activities Association’s annual track and field state championships for all classifications, 1A through 6A.
As is typically the case, Southern Utah athletes and teams are expected to be in the mix to win various individual medals and team trophies.
The Snow Canyon boys, the two-time defending state champions, are among this year’s favorites, even among an expanded 4A field that includes twice as many schools as the classification had last year.
“The addition of the new teams makes every point that much more valuable,” noted Pine View head coach Dave Holt, whose Panthers recently took first place in the Region 9 championship meet they hosted on May 8-9.
Among the top athletes to watch include Snow Canyon speedsters Matt Maclennan, Semaj Thompson and Trevor Gough. Maclennan’s time of 14.00 seconds in the 110 hurdles at the Region 9 meet is a 4A state record and the fastest time posted in Utah this season, across all classifications. Thompson’s runner-up time of 14.09 in that same race is the third-fastest time in the state.
Other top contenders in sprints and hurdles events include Tyler West, Austin Eaton and Easton Lott of Crimson Cliffs, along with McKoy Smith of Cedar. West’s time of 10.54 in the 100-meter dash on May 9 is the fastest in the state this year and also ties the 4A state record.
Other top runners include 400-meter specialist Ammon York of Cedar, region 400-meter champion Aiddin Wilson of Dixie, along with longer distance runners Bridger Jaggi of Pine View and James Butterfield of Snow Canyon.
Pine View’s Teancum Jensen and Colton Sam Fong are favored in the throwing events (discus and shot put), along with Snow Canyon’s Owen Iloa. Meanwhile, Snow Canyon’s Joseph Smith is a top name to watch in the javelin, having easily won the region meet with a top throw of 174 feet, 2 inches.
In girls events, Snow Canyon sophomore sprinter Amelia Nadauld currently boasts the state’s best time in three different events across all classifications. She has run the 100 in 11.92 seconds, the 200 in 24.12 and the 300 hurdles in 42.02. Nadauld also has posted the second-best long jump mark in the state this season at 18 feet, 6.25 inches.
Desert Hills, which won last year’s 4A girls state title, is led by junior Lucy Harris, another top hurdler, sprinter and jumper. Harris clocked a best time of 14.54 in the 100 hurdles at the BYU Invitational on May 4, which is the third-fastest in the state.
Other top sprinters from Region 9 include Ashley Leavitt and Jade Reimer of Pine View. They are joined by teammates Tori Conrad (hurdles and high jump) and Kate Jones (distance races).
Cedar senior thrower Kiara Hansen is a top contender in both discus and shot, along with Hurricane junior Kate Carter, who also throws javelin.
Coach Holt said the 4A girls team state title is shaping up to be a tight competition among several schools.
In addition to Region 9’s Pine View, Snow Canyon and Desert Hills, Holt said he expects to see Timpanogos, Mountain View, Stansbury and Green Canyon in the mix as well,
The state championship track meet, staged at BYU’s Clarence F. Robison Track, officially gets under way on Thursday, May 16, with 5A and 6A running events.
Friday’s schedule will be filled with qualifying heats, along with selected finals. Saturday’s full slate of events will include all the finals, plus the awarding of the team trophies at the end of the day, after the final event, the 4×400 relays, have been run.
To see the full event schedule for all three days, click here.
Following is a brief look at the other teams and athletes to watch from Southern Utah schools in the 3A/2A/1A classifications:
3A
The only 3A high school in Southern Utah, Canyon View, won the girls Region 12 championship on May 8, with the Canyon View boys placing a close second to host team Juab.
Seniors Asher Groft and Qwentyn Petty are among Canyon View’s top male sprinters, while the Falcon girls have Gabriele Dabb, Kinzlee Brindley, Averi Pace and others in contention for top finishes in sprint and relay events.
Other possible top contenders within the 20-team 3A classification include Summit Academy, Union and Juan Diego.
2A
The 2A schools in Southern Utah’s Region 18 held their championship meet at Pine View High on May 8, with the Beaver boys edging Kanab 118 to 111 for the title. In the girls meet, Millard was the winner with 162 points, while runner-up Parowan finished with 107.
Sophomore distance runner Kenidee Glazier of Kanab pulled off a remarkable four-event sweep at region, winning the 400-, 800-, 1600- and 3,200-meter races.
Other girls who won multiple events at the Region 18 meet included Millard sophomore Olivia Bassett (100-meter dash, 300 hurdles) and Beaver senior Alina Lurth (shot put, javelin).
On the boys side, Beaver senior Baylor Blackburn won both the 100 and 200 at region, in addition to placing second in the 400.
At the state meet, Region 18’s top athletes will be up against competition from various other 2A schools in the other regions, including newly crowned champions such as North Summit, American Heritage and American Leadership Academy.
1A
Panguitch High School won the Region 20 meet on May 8 in Escalante, with the Bobcat boys scoring 221 points to runner-up Milford’s 170. The Panguitch girls also dominated, scoring 224.5 points to runner-up Valley’s 165.
With a deep and talented roster of athletes in both running and field events, both Panguitch teams are seen as favorites to repeat as state champs. The Panguitch girls have won the last 10 straight state titles, while the Bobcat boys seek their fourth consecutive first-place trophy.
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