Our Pick: Manny Olivo-Quiñones
School: Buena
Grade: SeniorFrom the beginning of the season, Manny Olivo was a clear favorite for the state championship for D2. Olivo began his season with a bang at the Catalina Foothills Distance Carnival, running a 9:28.40 in the 3200m. He then went on to finish in 3rd at Chandler Rotary with a time of 4:20.28 and moved up to the top runner in the state, passing all D1 runners. Manny had very few opportunities to race with the elite racers during the season and therefore wasn't able to prove himself to everyone early on. Olivo progressed through the season doing nothing but improving. Shaving 30 seconds off of his 3200m time from the beginning of the season. The Central Arizona College commit went on to win the D2 State Championships in the 1600m (4:22.28) and the 3200m (9:16.36). To finish off his impressive season, Olivo won the Meet of Champions, beating multiple D1 favorites by a fair margin. Manny Olivo proved himself to even the most elite athletes.
- Michael Barney (Saguaro)-Michael recorded the fastest time of the season for 3200 (9:07.78) at the Arcadia Invitational. He moved on to take 1st in the Division 3 3200m and 1600m races.
- Thomas Cain (Cibola)-After he ran an AZ #5 time of 9:16.08 for 3200, Thomas won the D1 3200 meter State Title in a wire to wire finish against Luke Mason.
- Hociel Landa (Brophy College Prep)-Hociel ran the second fastest 3200-meter time at the Arcadia Invitational and took 1st in the Division 1 1600.
- Luke Mason (Brophy College Prep)-Luke ran the 2nd fastest time for 1600 meters and the 4th fastest 3200m. At the D1 State Meet, he finished runner-up in the 3200.
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