What to look for at this week’s championships
Will records be broken two years removed from the last state championships?
Here's a look at what to look for this week during the Arizona high school track and field championships at Phoenix Desert Vista and Gilbert Perry high schools:
When and where
The Division I boys and girls meets are Wednesday and Saturday at Desert Vista with the Division III meets being held Friday and Saturday at Desert Vista.
The Division II meets are at Perry on Thursday and Saturday and the Division IV meets Friday and Saturday at Perry.
They start at 4:30 p.m. each of those days with some field events and running events finals on the first days of the meets.
Heat wave
Temperatures are picking up with it expected to hit or be close to hitting 100 degrees on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Athletes will test their wills in the heat and against topflight competition.
Triple threat
Queen Creek Casteel senior Dayton Carlson leads the state in three events: the 800 meters (1 minute, 51.71 seconds), the 1600 (4:08.89) and the 3200 (9:16.43). Can Carlson break Bernie Montoya's state record in the 800? Montoya ran 1:50.19 in 2013 for Yuma Cibola.
Hurdling to victories
Surprise Valley Vista senior Trenton Givens will try to pull off a double in the hurdles in Division I. He has the state's fastest times in the 110 hurdles (14.04) and the 300 hurdles (37.58).
Comeback kid?
Chandler junior Quaron Adams is aiming for his second 100-meter-dash state title in D.I. He won it as a freshman. But last year COVID-19 wiped out the season and there was no state meet. He comes in as a slight underdog with the third-fastest time this season at 10.69. The top sprinter is Peoria Centennial senior Dominick Brister at 10.58, followed by Mesa senior Khamis Hasan (10.59). Adams did not compete in the Chandler Rotary Invitationals, where the state's top competition went at it. Adams ranks 10th in the 200 at 22.07 seconds.
Climbing the sky
There are three pole vaulters who have cleared at least 16 feet: Chandler Valley Christian's Logan Kelley, Chandler Hamilton's Jagger Wilkes and Chandler Basha's Jacob Kauffman.
Breaking 12 seconds
Only one female has run faster than 12 seconds this season. Alyssa Colbert of Gilbert Williams Field ran 11.98 at the Chandler Rotary. Is it time for a breakthrough? On the edge is Phoenix North Canyon senior Ella Escobar, who ran 12.0 at the Brophy Prep meet early in the season. Casteel freshman Nathalie Lewis is right on the edge at 12:02.
Chandler dynasty
The girls team is ready to add to its state track and field dynasty. They've won 13 of the last 14 championship, and has another talented team, led by sprinters Trinity Henderson and Jocelyn Johnson.
50-foot club
The girls shot put has been nothing short of spectacular this year with two Makaylas both throwing over 50 feet. Makayla Long of Perry has thrown a state-record 53 feet, 33⁄8 inches. Makayla Hunter of Chandler has tossed it 50-5.
Before this year, the state record was 47-7, set by Chandler's Ky Westbrook in 2013. Long and Hunter are the top two discus throwers in the state, as well, with Long throwing 163-2 and Hunter 150-0.