State meet prelims start tonight for 5A - II at Desert Vista and 4A I and II at Mesa Community College. Tomorrow evening 5A - I, 1A, 2A and 3A will begin their prelims with all divisions heading to the finals on Saturday evening at three separate venues. The boys 800m has the two top runners in the state and two of the top three in the country with John Kline (US#2) and James Echberger (US#3), however they will be competing in separate events as Kline (Desert Vista) runs is in 5A div. I and Echberger (Catalina Magnet) runs in 4A div. II. Both should easily win their events.
The 100m dash should be a great race to watch with the top 4 boys in the state all running in 5A div. I. Ryan Milus (Hamilton) will try to keep his number 1 spot (10.65) racing against #2 seed Giorgio Giurdanella, (Mountain Ridge 10.68), #3 Allante Battle, (Desert Vista, 10.70) and Nathan Jeffrey (Hamilton, 10.70). Battle, the 2007 State Championship in the 100, 200 and 400, will be the runner to watch again this year.
Sophomore Steve Magnuson (4:19.95) from Ironwood Ridge (5A-II) is running unattached this year and will not be able to race in the State meet, leaving Ben Jankunas (Horizon, 4.20.25) to battle it out with teammate and Footlocker finalist Jim Walmsley (4.23.99). Over in 5A-I, D.J. Johnson (Mesa Mountain View) 4:22.86) will try to beat Matt Boughton (Desert Vista 2:23.19) and Derek Breinholt (Highland 4:23.83). Walmsley, the top 3200 runner in the state will not be racing #2 seed Matt Boughton because of different divisions but Boughton should have some competition from Marcus Whitt (Mesa Mountain View 9:23.49) and his own teammate Chris Conway (9:27.64).
Cedrique Smith (Aguafria Union) will be going for two state titles in the 110 (13.97) and 300 (38.49) hurdles while Michael Woodham (Mt. Pointe), Chris Ingrassia (Deset Vista), Dion Jordan (Chandler) and Aaron Williams (Hamilton) will be fighting for the top spot in 5A-I.
All eyes will be on the jumping pit as two of the top jumpers will be competing for the top spot in the 5A-I div. Bryce Lamb (Chandler) is seeded first in the long jump (US#4) with a distance of 24-9 and second in the triple jump (US#3) at 50-7. Will Claye (Mt. Pointe) is seeded second in the long jump with a distance of 24-3 and first in the triple jump (US#2) at 51-7.5.