Overview
Last week in Arizona was filled with highlight performances that are sure to have implications as we enter the state championship season this May.
The boys' 300m hurdles were on fire this weekend, with the top three athletes competing across the state. At the DVUSD Meet, there was an epic battle between Sanel Eminovic and Ryan Patterson-Lopez, separated by just 0.13 seconds. Although these weren't personal records for either young man, their performances demonstrate how they've maintained consistency at 37 seconds. However, the top hurdler of the weekend was Matthew Heitz, who ran a state-leading 37.45.
The biggest highlights of the weekend came in the boys' and girls' javelin, with state leads that would have won both AIA State Championships last season. Brooks Zuluaga improved by more than 12 feet, launching the javelin 157-8 feet to win the Chandler City Meet and rank her fourth in the nation. At the same track meet, Kelson Hogan threw the javelin 211-2 feet, ranking him #8 in the U.S. Both of these throws are the third farthest in Arizona history.
Arizona's best athletes are now peaking for the near-championship season, and these performances showcase some of their highlights.
New Arizona State Leaders
Bryn Kupfer (Snowflake) - Girls High Jump, 5-8
Brooks Zuluaga (Seton Catholic) - Girls Javelin, 157-8
Matthew Heitz (Red Mountain) - Boys 300m Hurdles, 37.45
Dameon Brender (Red Mountain) - Boys 200m, 21.40
Colin Duffy (Corona Del Sol) - Boys Discus, 185-0
Kelson Hogan (Corona Del Sol) - Boys Javelin, 211-2
Distance
At the Shaun Hardt True Grit Invitational, competitive 1600m races were on display on the boys' and girls' sides, determining who would gather momentum as we enter May.
Audra Huempfner barely beat Milanni Pedraza by 0.07 seconds as they both crossed the line at 5 minutes flat. This wasn't a personal record for either, but it was a great test as they gear up for championship season in May. Camryn Delancey shaved a couple of milliseconds off her personal best to finish third, demonstrating her ability to be in any race.
In the boys' race, Brandon Delancey captured his first 1600m victory since February, convincingly in a time of 4:19. The super sophomore led a Highlighand High sweep along with his teammates, Samuel Davis and Easton Askew, who both ran under 4:25.
Outside the Shaun Hardt True Grit Invitational, Crew Comish continued his hot streak of stellar performances in recent weeks, dominating the 1600m field at the Mesa County Championships with a 4:15 to secure the win. Brecken Bellows continued his streak of personal bests with another PR while winning the DVUSD Meet 800m. He finished with a time of 1:54, placing him 12th in AZ.
Other Notable Performances
Dameon Brender, (Red Mountain High School, 11th) | 100m - 10.59 | Mesa City Championships (4/24)
Amare Holley, (Red Mountain High School, 12th) | 100m - 10.61 | Mesa City Championships (4/24)
Austin Reese, (Chandler High School, 11th) | 110mH - 14.16 | Chandler City Meet (4/22)
Tyree McSwain, (Williams Field High School, 12th) | 300mH - 38.06 | Shaun Hardt True Grit Invitational (4/24)
Dash Wasson, (Queen Creek High School, 12th) | Pole Vault - 16-6 | Shaun Hardt True Grit Invitational (4/24)
Amerah Richardson, (Arizona College Prep, 12th) | 100m - 11.87, Long Jump - 19-0 | Chandler City Meet (4/22)
Imani Galera-Young, (Chandler High School, 12th) | 100mH - 13.72 | Chandler City Meet (4/22)
Karsten Lewis, (Canyon Del Oro High School, 12th) | 110mH - 13.84 | Southern Arizona Championships (4/24)
Overview
Last week in Arizona was filled with highlight performances that are sure to have implications as we enter the state championship season this May.
The boys' 300m hurdles were on fire this weekend, with the top three athletes competing across the state. At the DVUSD Meet, there was an epic battle between Sanel Eminovic and Ryan Patterson-Lopez, separated by just 0.13 seconds. Although these weren't personal records for either young man, their performances demonstrate how they've maintained consistency at 37 seconds. However, the top hurdler of the weekend was Matthew Heitz, who ran a state-leading 37.45.
The biggest highlights of the weekend came in the boys' and girls' javelin, with state leads that would have won both AIA State Championships last season. Brooks Zuluaga improved by more than 12 feet, launching the javelin 157-8 feet to win the Chandler City Meet and rank her fourth in the nation. At the same track meet, Kelson Hogan threw the javelin 211-2 feet, ranking him #8 in the U.S. Both of these throws are the third farthest in Arizona history.