Sam Shoultz won the Husky Invitational at 6-8 last weekend, look for 6-10 or better this weekend. Arizona Milesplit Photo.
Field events are sometimes overlooked in track and field. It is easy to pay attention to running race on the track though when the complexity grow a little sometimes fans tend to pay less attention. While that often is the case it shouldn't be. If you are new to watching field events in track and field, the Chandler rotary is an excellent place to start!
The hurdles should be an exciting place to start. Isaiah Oliver is the headliner here. After his national caliber performance in the 400m dash last week at the AMDG Invitational, he is prepped and read to go. His best times are from the Aztec Invitational just two weeks ago. No one expects those times to hold this weekend. Look for Isaiah to better his 3rd best all time 300H time of 36.79. In the 110Hs, it is a very real possibility that fans will see a sub 13 time since Isaiah ran 14.03 two weeks ago.
One thing that makes hurdles exciting is that anything can happen, just ask the folks up in Colorado. If for some reason Isaiah is not at the top of his game. Justin Collins of Carson and William Winfield of Chandler would love to score an upset over one of the nations finest. Even if Isaiah doesn't stumble look for those two to be neck and neck for second place. Look for Cole Tippit of Desert Vista as a dark horse as well. A rising star to watch is sophomore sensation Trey Johnson. He has obliterated west valley competition so far this season and just started to hurdle this season. Trey is in the second heat this year, though I would predict he surpasses he seed place.
The high jump at this meet is anyone guess on who will win. There are three jumpers with PR's 6-8 or above. That is very rare, but then again meets like Chandler Rotary are pretty rare. Sam Shoultz from Corona Del Sol looked sharp last week at the Husky Invite, but after missing last week he will look to clear 6-10. Reed Bussey (6-8) and Michael Williams (6-10) should be right up there with him. It will come down to who brings their A-game on Saturday. Just like there is a clear distinction between the top three in the high jump, there is a similar distinction in the long jump. In the long jump:
The favorite in the long jump is Derrick Monroe who comes all the way from Cibola High School in Yuma. He can't rest on his laurels though since Isaiah Banks of Mountain Pointe has a very similar mark to him. If either of them fail get scratch happy or have an off day, Isaiah Oliver would love to take down some of the states finest in an off event again (see above about the 400m at AMDG). Who knows the way he is competing maybe Mark Wetmore will have him doing the decathlon next year at CU.
Heat sheets, schedules and more information can be viewed here.