BYRD IS THE WORD AT TRACK MEET TODAY

Sepulveda to feature all classifications

Manzano sprinter Jordan Byrd is the headliner for today’s Sepulveda Invitational, an all-star high school track and field meet at UNM.

Manzano sprinter Jordan Byrd is the headliner for today’s Mariyln Sepulveda Invitational all-star high school track and field meet at the University of New Mexico.

The meet invites top athletes from all classifications.

Athletes from schools such as Pecos, Loving and Cottonwood Classical Prep test their mettle against everyone.

The electrifying Byrd, the three-time Class 6A state champion in the 100-meter dash, is entered in the 100 and the 200 today. In the 100, Byrd ripped off a blistering time of 10.39 seconds recently at the Storm Relays at Cleveland.

The running finals today begin at 4:15 p.m.

Some of the other top boys to watch include Taos’ Jonah Vigil in both the 200 and 400, plus Volcano Vista’s Blaine Grant, who is a threat to win the 200 today alongside Vigil and Byrd, and also is strong in the long jump, as is Vigil.

Rio Rancho’s outstanding hurdler, Noah Fay, is entered at both distances this afternoon.

Recent Air Force signee A.J. Kedge of Albuquerque Academy is entered in the 800. However, as is often the case at the Sepulveda, some of the top local distance runners — in particular Volcano Vista’s Jericho Cleveland and Eldorado’s Harrison Smith III — are skipping this meet since the popular Richard Harper meet at Academy is scheduled the same week. The Harper begins Friday.

Academy teammates Zack Jaramillo and Teagun Glenn are both among the top favorites in the javelin.

Sandia’s Caleb Bulten is a threat in the pole vault.

Cleveland and Rio Rancho’s girls, who feature many of the state’s top athletes, do not have any entrants today.

The 800-meter final could prove compelling, with Albuquerque High’s Alisa MerazFishbein and Academy’s Grace Alley leading a strong field that also includes Cibola’s Nicole Lawrence and Sandia Prep’s Skylar Gee.

From St. Pius, Haley Rizek is probably New Mexico’s best hurdler; she and teammate Ari Martinez in the high jump both are scheduled to compete.

The meet begins with field finals at 3 p.m.