Nike will kick off it's inaugural "Nike Team Nationals" Friday evening at Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon. The meet is the first of it's kind with 24 teams from across the country competing for the national title.
In the past Nike held a National "Track Meet" over the internet with teams posting their top performances in 10 events (5 running and 5 field). This year Nike took it further by inviting the top teams from the on-line competition to Hayward Field. The winner from each region and 4 at large teams make up the top 12 boys and girls teams.
The format for the Nike Track Nationals emphasizes "Team" with head to head competition between one individual from each team on each event. Members of each team can compete in a maximum of two events.
Of the 24 teams heading to Oregon, three are from Arizona.
Chandler Girls:
The Chandler girls won the Southwest region and are ranked 2nd in the US and in May they won their 5th consecutive State title. Year after year the team's depth makes them a powerhouse in the southwest but depth is not what got them to the Nike Team Nationals. Top performances from seven girls pushed them over the top. Jasmine Todd won the 100 dash and the long jump at the state meet. Her 11.64 time in the 100 dash and her 19-11 long jump both earned over 1000 points and two AZ#1 marks. Hannah Carson also put up some big marks in the Discus (140-1.75, AZ#2) and the Shot Put (44-11.75, AZ#1) to earn well over 900 points in each event. Alexis Roberts earned a spot in the 400 with a 55.76 (AZ#1) time and Alexis Clay's 14.52 AZ#2 time in the 100 hurdles moved her into the top spot for the team. Haley Boswer (11-1 for Pole Vault), Mia Townsend (2:18.47 for 800) and Cadija Harris (5-6 for High Jump, AZ#3) round out the top seven.
Each week the Chandler team inched closer and closer to US#1 Long Beach Poly landing just 26 points out of first place.
Click here for the Chandler Nike Team Page:
Brophy College Prep Boys:
The Brophy boys may not have the depth they need for a State Title but they are loaded with talent. With individuals in top positions on the leader board the team is ready to prove what they can do. Harry Danilevics and Tommy Williams will both be competing in two events. Danilevics will run the 400 meter dash and the 110 hurdles while Williams will crank it up for the 800 meter run (1:54.65, AZ#5) and the mile. The mile is the last event of the night and hopefully will give Williams enough time to recover from the 800. Alex Bishop has the top Pole Vault jump in the state with 16-4.75 and Freshman Devon Allen will be competing in the 100 dash (10.84).
Also competing for the team are James Harper in the High Jump (6-3.75), Josh Dennard in the long jump (22-4) and Geoff Roxborough in the Discus (158-9).
Click here for the Nike Brophy Team Page:
Desert Vista Girls:
The Desert Vista girls are ranked 7th in the US and received an at large bid to Nike Team Nationals. The team also took 2nd at the Arizona State Meet. Helping the team get to Nationals is pole vaulter Heather Arseneau who cleared 13 feet this season (AZ#2) and Syndee Freeman who will be competing in both the 100 and 400 meter dash. Julia Kline also earned a spot on the team with her AZ#7 mark of 15.13 in the 100 hurdles and Yasmine Yacut ran a 2:16.22 (AZ#4) in the 800 meter run to clinch her spot on the team. Mary Krestchmar will be competing in the high jump, Lindsay Jantzi will be long jumping and Kadie McNamara will be competing in both the shot put and the discus.
Click here for the Desert Vista Team Page:
Arizona athletes compete in extreme heat for much of the track season and especially at the State Meet where the temperatures can hover over 100. The cooler temperatures in Oregon could be an advantage.
Today Nike flew the Arizona teams to Portland and drove them to the facility in Eugene where they spent time in the "Spike Shop" to get fitted for their team uniforms and running shoes. A recreation center was also set up for all the teams to get to know each other. Keep checking back to see the results come in as the Nike Team National event kicks off at 6 PM.