Before the 86th Annual Chandler Rotary Invitational begins on Friday, let's take a look at how this Arizona staple continues to deliver a state meet feel early in the season. Top athletes will get the chance to test themselves against elite out-of-state competition in one of the Southwest's premier showdowns.
You can watch it all LIVE on MileSplit this Friday and Saturday-- but first, here are five reasons you won't want to miss this meet.
U.S. No.1 Talents Against Elite Fields
Two of the top outdoor performers so far this season will aim to defend their status as the fastest in the nation against highly respected competition.
First, there's Rebekah-Jhade Garrett of North Canyon High School, who currently holds the fastest 100m hurdles mark in the nation at 13.48. She set an incredible time against Imani Galera-Young last week, and they will face off again on Saturday. Long Beach Poly's Kadence Bain also enters the chat with a 13.99 personal record from last year's California State Championships final.
The girls' 100m hurdles is expected to be one of the fastest in the meet's 86-year history, which could threaten Kori Martin's 13.32 meet record from 2024.
Brady Anderson from Faith Lutheran made history last year with a time of 4:07.51, breaking the Nevada state record, but he didn't win. This year, he enters the meet with a U.S. No. 1 ranking of 1:51.07 in the 800m, giving him the fastest seed time. Although Anderson will be looking for an 800m and 1600m sweep, it won't come that easily.
The trio of Nicholas Ponte, Zarian Rodriguez, and Symond Martin all have personal bests of 4:11 or better in the 1600m, making Saturday an exciting race. In the 800m, Maddox Bonilla is coming off a 1:52.75 personal best this February and aims to push Anderson to his limit.
Who Own's the Southwest?
In its 86th edition, a star-studded lineup of sprint talent has assembled to determine who is the fastest in the Southwest on both the boys' and girls' sides. Look no further than the top 100m fields, where Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, or California has a chance to win.
Mark Smith of Williams Fields HS (AZ) leads the boys with the fastest seed time of 10.52 in front of Long Beach Poly's (CA) Malachi Dawson at 10.52. Plus Tanner Montano of La Cueva (NM) and Brody Heussner of Highland (AZ) have run 10.60. This race won't be decided until the first person crosses the line, and they'll definitely have to look back at the tape for the photo finish.
On the girls' side, four student-athletes will line up with personal bests better than 11.80 from three different states. Addysan Prassas of North Canyon will aim to repeat as the Chandler Rotary 100m winner as the No.1 seed with a personal record of 11.65. She is followed by Brooklyn Lee from LB Poly (CA) at 11.69, Ellie Londo from Valor Christian (CO) at 11.73, and Rylee Klatt from Mead HS (CO) at 11.79.
-- Noah Smith (left) and Ejam Yohannes (right) rematch at the Chandler Rotary Invite | Photo by Tim McDonald --
Chasing 45
Could we see the first 45-second 400m in Chandler's history? If it goes according to Noah Smith and Ejam Yohannes' plan, we just might.
Noah Smith will toe the line as the defending champion with the meet record of 46.55. Meanwhile, Ejam Yohannes enters with the momentum of running 46.24 to beat Smith last week at the Redondo Nike Invitational. Expect an epic rematch this week between two California State title contenders.
Don't rule out anyone in this elite field, because they can all be spoilers. Both Ryan Fick (Valor Christian) and Tyree McSwain (Williams Field) ran 47 last season, giving them a chance to win it all this year.
How Many Boys Will Go Sub-9
Last year, Symond Martin separated himself as one of the best distance runners in Arizona when he ran 9:00.33 to decisively win the 3200m. He then set a personal record of 8:57 that season, won the D3 AIA State XC title, and claimed the Brooks XC West Championship to qualify for the Brooks XC Championships.
Can he become the fourth boy to break the 9-minute barrier at the Chandler Rotary Invite? Or might someone else do it.
Both
Zarian Rodriguez of Hamilton (AZ) and
Nicholas Ponte of Albuquerque Academy (AZ) could steal the spotlight from Martin and become the fourth boy to break 9 minutes at Chandler. That nine-minute barrier should fear this trio, including Brady Anderson, Luke Lopez, and
Nikko Mihan, who are always competitive.
-- Nicole Ripperdan (left) outleaning Bianca Hurtado (right) to win the 800m at the Chandler Rotary Invite | Photo by Tim McDonald --
Champions Return with Targets
Although we've already mentioned a few returners who could repeat as champion on the track, who else has a chance to put a stamp on their dominance as a double Chandler Rotary champ?
With the help of a home track advantage last season, Imani Galera-Young of Chandler HS (AZ) swept the hurdle races last year with a 13.83 and 41.50 double. With this year's competition better than the last, she'll have the opportunity to run even faster in both events. Her meet record of 41.50 is in jeopardy, not just for her but for the entire 300m hurdles field.
Nicole Ripperdan of Queen Creek (AZ) may face the hardest challenge to repeat because you never know what may happen in the 800m. Last year, she beat Bianca Hurtado by 14-hundredths of a second, and this year, we get to witness the epic rematch.
Then in the 200m, Devyn Henderson will attempt to repeat her success in her 200m opener of the season. She enters the race with a personal best of 23.93 seconds, making her the only girl under 24 seconds besides Kiana Cumings from Windsor (CO).
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