State track meet storylines
It is hard to believe the prep track season is already nearing its end. Schools from all classifications will descend on BYU’s campus to compete in the state track meet this weekend. The stakes are high and the drama will be in abundant supply at Clarence F. Robison Track.
For you track and field fans out there, here are some potential storylines I’ll be following this weekend at BYU:
Four-peat?
Both Trac Norris and Adam Hine have a chance to cap off their distinguished high school careers with four state titles in four years. Norris, a Panguitch senior, is gunning for his fourth 1A title in the 1600 (and defending titles in the 800 and 3200 as well). Hine, a Snow Canyon senior, Is hoping to claim his fourth title in both the high jump and the long jump. He won both events twice at the 3A level and swept them when the Warriors moved to 4A last year. If the future BYU RB can do it, he’ll accomplish an outstanding feat. The same goes for Norris.
Sprints = Sweep?
It could happen in both the boys and girls events in at least one or two classifications. Syracuse standout Tyrell Yardley has to be a runaway 5A title favorite in the 100, 200 and 400 based on what he has done in those events all season. I’ve seen him pick up plenty victories in all three events plenty of times this spring, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it again. The same goes for Riverton standout Aubrie Haymore. She has proved almost impossible to beat in the 100, 200 or 400. I would honestly be really surprised if I don’t see her claim multiple state titles at this point. Let’s not forget about Parowan’s Tanner Orton on the 2A level. He successfully pulled off the 100, 200 and 400 sweep at the BYU Invitational.
Break out the record books
Until a soggy second day at the BYU Invitational disrupted the trend, we were seeing state records start to fall like dominoes in different events. The fun of the state meet will be seeing who can set new state records in the process of winning individual titles. We’ve already seen Haymore, Lone Peak’s Angela Kaplar, Monticello’s Macee Nielson and Richfield’s Josh Monsen — to name a few — who have added their name to the state record books this season. My guess is there will be a few more joining them on Friday and Saturday.
Team battles go into overdrive
We could end up seeing some of the most heated team battles we have seen in years. In 3A, it should be really interesting to see Cedar and Ogden duke it out for the girls team crown. The Redmen have Shaye Maurer — a defending state champ in four events — to lead them. Aubrey Bryson is also capable of claiming titles and big points in the sprints. Ogden’s strength will be in the distance — where Sarah Callister and Chole Calton are among the state’s best — and the high jump where Lauren Crockett has been simply amazing. In 5A, Davis and Riverton have an opportunity to pick up both team titles or split. Given their depth, the team title chase will likely go to one or the other on both girls and boys sides at this point.
Who will be this year’s surprise winners?
You always see athletes who’ve flown under the radar or barely competed in any meets because of participation in other sports show up and blow people away at the state meet. It happened last year with Mountain View distance runner Travis Fuller, who literally split time between the soccer team and the track team during the meet and still won the 800, 1600 and 3200. Who will emerge as this year’s unheralded title winners? If we knew that, it wouldn’t be a surprise.
I could go on and on about other potential storylines, but I’d like to hear your opinions instead. What do you think will be the big stories coming out of this year’s state track meet when it is all said and done?
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