Nyle Norris Highlights
Stormy weather across the state this past weekend did not dampen the efforts of local track athletes statewide to position for a shot to make some noise going into this weekend’s BYU Invitational and the state meets in mid-May.
Besides the Davis Invitational, plenty of other solid meets took place last Saturday. Here are some highlights from one such meet, the Nyle Norris Invitational held at Richfield High.
Most Impressive Performances:
Trac Norris, Panguitch — We know the 1600 meters is the senior’s specialty, but Norris is looking awfully tough in other mid-distance and distance events too. He set a meet record in the 800 after posting a winning time of 1:57.58. Norris added another first-place finish in the 3200, where he won with a time of 10:28.47. I see multiple state titles at season’s end in store for him.
Kyler Jones, Juab — Jones put together a solid performance in the sprints. The Wasp runner scored a victory in the 100 meter dash after finishing in 11.38 seconds. He returned to take the top spot in the 200 with a top time of 23.40 seconds. Those kind of performances are good news for Juab, who will need whatever advantage it can get to defend its 2A title against powerful Richfield.
Cheyenne Thatcher, Gunnison — Thatcher looks more and more like one of the top sprinters in the state, not just 2A, as time goes on. Her winning time of 12.75 seconds in the 100 meter dash exceeded even the 5A qualifying standard. Thatcher added a victory in the 200 after finishing in 27.19. She doubles nicely as a thrower too. Thatcher claimed another first place finish in the javelin after throwing 113 feet flat. The most impressive part is that throw exceeded the 5A qualifying mark by almost five feet.
Felicia Olmos, Carbon — Olmos looks to be a strong favorite in the long jump when the 3A meet rolls around. Her winning jump of 16 feet and 6.5 inches would have been good enough to win at the Central Utah Invitational and would have been good enough for a top five finish at the Davis Invitational.
Tayson Whittaker, Richfield — Whittaker put together an impressive showing in the discus. How does his winning throw of 146 feet 7 inches compare statewide? Let’s just say he would have won with the same throw at Central Utah and finished in the top five at Davis. Very impressive indeed.
Carson Bray, Wayne — Bray definitely would have won at the Davis Invitational if he had thrown 160 feet 11 inches like he did at Richfield. As it stands, he got an impressive victory under his belt after exceeding the top state qualifying mark by more than five feet.
Most Impressive Teams:
Richfield — Get used to seeing the Wildcats in this category. They are far and away the most talented 2A boys team this season. Four athletes scored individual event victories to help Richfield win on its home track. Besides Whittaker at discus, you had Dane Whittaker win the 400 with a time of 51.37 seconds, Josh Monsen claim first in the 1600 after finishing in 4:44.52 and JD Michaelson win the long jump with a jump of 21 feet and 2.75 inches.
Juab — The Wasps may have lost tons of seniors from last season, but they aren’t going to give up the 2A title without a fight. The strength of Juab appeared to be in short distance events. Besides Jones claiming the 100 and 200, you had Seth Owens winning the 110 hurdles in 15.43 seconds.
North Sevier — The Wolves will be hard to beat if Mishaelle Sampson and Kenzie Robins can stay in top form. Sampson claimed victories in both the 400 and 800. She finished the 400 with a winning time of 1:02.45 and claimed the 800 title after crossing the line in 2:32.51. Robins won the shot with a throw of 34-7 and took the high jump after clearing a 4-foot-10 height.
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