Spencer Chase has always been a big contributor to the Desert Vista team, scoring points every year including his freshman 8th place finish in the 400.
Last year at the 2008 Arizona State Meet he placed second in the 400 meter dash, 6th in the 100 and ran a leg of the record breaking 4x400 meter relay.
Last night Spencer Chase took home his first individual title and broke the All Time Arizona State Record while doing so. It was a goal he had been eyeing all season.
"This was the goal from day one," said a very out of breath Chase, " That's the way I trained to peak out and do it here and it looks like it worked."
Chase's time of 46.47 broke Maryvale runner Dwight Jones' 1977 record of 46.64. "I didn't think I was going to go much lower than it (the record) but I'm just glad I got it." His new time also moved him from 21st place in the US to #4.
Although this race was a dream come true for Chase, he still has fond memories of his relay state title. "Winnng an individual title is a completely different feelding but relay titles I feel are always so much more special because you get to share it with 3 other guys. This is still a fantastic feeling."
State Champs - Desert Vista
Desert Vista's 3rd Straight Title
Desert Vista holds records in 4 events; the 4x400 and 4x800 meter relays set at the State Meet in 2008; the 800 meter run set by John Kline in 2008 and now the 400 meter dash set by Spencer Chase. Desert Vista also took home the State Title for the 3rd straight year. Desert Vista earned 157.66 points to overtake Chandler (79.50) and Mesa Mountain View (64).
Here is how they did it!
Wednesday
Matthew Yalung (Jr.,) won the High Jump (6-05.00) and Michael Ingrassia tied for 4th (6-02.00)
(Photo left: Matthew Yalung)
The DV boys started with a win in the 4x800 meter relay in 7:55.92.
Junior Andrew Kellogg place 2nd (9:22.30) and senior Michael Johnson placed 4th (9:32.51) in the 3200 meter run.
Seniors Justin Janke (4th) and Lee Williams (5th) earned points in the Discus.
Saturday
Alec Hsu (Sr., photo above) was a State Champ in two events winning the 110 hurdles (14.25) and the Pole Vault (15-6.00). Alec looked a little suprised when he looked around to see no one near him when he cross the finish in the 110 hurdles.
Pole Vault had four more finishers; Kevin Willert (Sr.,) and Ryan Kunce (Sr., who is coming off of a hamstring injury), tied for 5th place (14-00.00) and Chris Whitton (Jr.,) and Ian Sankey (Sr.,) tied for 8th (13-06.00)
Spencer Chase (Sr.,) placed 3rd in the 100 dash (10.73) and 2nd in the 200 dash (21.23).
Anders Battle tied for 5th (10.86) in the 100 dash and finished 2nd in the long jump (22-05.00).
Senior Markus Washington took 8th in the long jump (20-8.00)
Andrew Kellog added a 2nd place in the 1600 (4:21.48) to his 2nd place 3200.
Sophomore Michael Ingrassia followed in his brother Chris's foot steps, becoming the new State Champion in the 300 hurdles in 37.98. Chris won the event in 2008.
In the 800 meter run, Adam Estavillo (Sr.,) placed 6th (1:56.93) and Darryl Banks (Sr.,) finished 7th (1:57.77)
The State Champ title in the shot put went to senior Lee Williams (54-06.25) and Darren Browne (Sr.,) finsihed 7th (47-09.00)
(Photo left: Lee Williams holding his first place medal)
The Desert Vista boys took 5th in the 4x100 meter relay and 6th in the 4x400 meter relay.
With 4 State Records and 3 consecutive wins the Desert Vista boys have created some great memories for departing Co-Head Coach Ryan Stanley who will be moving with his family to the midwest this summer. He will definitely be missed!