PROVO – BYU’s Clarence F. Robison track and field stadium has been a positive venue for Region 9 teams over the years. Last year, for example, both the Desert Hills boys and girls won Class 3A championships.
This season, the Desert Hills boys and Cedar girls are among the contenders at the meet Friday and Saturday. Thousands of athletes and their supporters will throng the stadium for the 10 concurrent meets which begin at 7:30 a.m. Friday and end around 6 p.m. Saturday.
“We will need to score big in the distance races,” said Desert Hills boys coach Dace Goulding. “We are also looking to score in the shot put. Justice Alo and Jake Nisson will need to have big meets as well as Chanse Riding and Nick Warmsley in the javelin and the discus.”
Sprinter Bradley Earl has some of the top times in the state in the 200 and 400, events he won at region.
“I’m super-excited for state,” Earl said. “I’m looking forward to the other athletes pushing me and to pushing back.”
Cedar girls coach Josh Bennett also expects a battle for the championship.
“There is some tough competition in 3A this year,” Bennett said. “For us to have a chance at the state title, we are going to have to have our best performances in each event and peak.
“Some key people this weekend will be the field events along with our distance runners of Halsey Curry, Whitney Yardley and Mic Webster.
“We also need our sprinters and hurdlers to do well in their respective events,” Bennett continued. “This group consists of Brooklyn Shakespeare, Julia and Rachel Hunt, Jasie York and Sam Twitchell.
While the team championships are the focus for many people, there are plenty of Southern Utah athletes who will be in the running for individual honors. Among these are Enterprise’s Jaslyn Gardner, who has the best time in the state in the 100-meter dash, regardless of classification; Parowan’s Brandon Robinson, one of the best long jumpers; the Panguitch boys and girls; and Dixie’s Starlee Woodbury, who has some of the best marks in the sprints and the jumps.
“I’m hoping to win at least two events,” said Woodbury, who had personal records in three events at last week’s region meet. “I think I can if I just focus.”
Friday’s portion of the meet includes a handful of finals and preliminaries in the sprints and hurdles.
Track the track meet here: Track and Field Results via runnercard.com.
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