The Republic’s Elite 50: Girls track and field prospects
In a span of 476 days, 12 Arizona state records were set in track and field.
Starting in the 2023 season with Phoenix Desert Vista’s Hayden Gorovitz, who is now headed off to Nebraska, in the javelin, and now most recently with Gilbert’s Vance Nilsson in the 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, the record books are being rewritten. Nilsson, an incoming freshman at Florida, has put Arizona on the map with his record-breaking spring.
The Arizona Republic recently released its top 50 recruits for the class of 2025. Next up is the 2026 class, which features three talented incoming juniors — Phoenix North Canyon’s RebekahJhade Garrett, Laveen Cesar Chavez’s Mayen Usoro and Queen Creek’s Dash Wasson — who are ranked high nationally among their peers as well.
We will start with the first 10, and add another 10 each week until it reaches the top 50 class of 2026 girls’ prospects in Arizona.
1. Rebekah-Jhade Garrett, Phoenix North Canyon, hurdles
A rising star in the sport who has a future that goes beyond the NCAA. She just ran the fastest all-conditions time in the 100-meter hurdles at 13.28 seconds. While it doesn’t count as an official state record since it was slightly wind-aided at 2.7 meters per second, she will likely break it next season and could challenge running under 13 seconds. Her long stride — Garrett is almost 5-foot-8 — make for an ideal hurdler. She’s already showing interest from Georgia, ASU, Arizona, Texas Tech and Illinois. Her coach, Airabin Justin, has a long track record of developing and producing successful athletes.
2. Mayen Usoro, Laveen Cesar Chavez, sprints
She burst onto the scene as a freshman and hasn’t stopped. Usoro, at 23.48, is close to breaking the state record in the 200 meters of 23.37. In the 100 meters, Usoro is inching closer as well. Her time of 11.50 is faster than Jadyn Mays, who just completed her career at Oregon and ran at the Olympic Trials. The state record of 11.31 is in sight. Usoro is a fluid runner who is sound in her technique and form. Things look effortless for her.
3. Kyana Williams, American Leadership Academy Queen Creek, jumps
She put the state on notice when she
cleared 5-8 feet in the high jump in December. While she didn’t jump higher than that the rest of the season, she backed it up by winning the AIA state championship at 5-6. At her progression rate, 6-0 could be possible. That would put her in state record territory. She’s got heptathlon potential as well.
4. Bianca Hurtado, Gilbert Campo Verde, mid-distance
Provided one of the best performances at the AIA state meet when she out-kicked Queen Creek’s Nicole Ripperdan for the title in the 800 meters, 2:11.62 to 2:12.80. She has dropped 26 seconds in the event since starting high school. Got down to 58.68 in the 400.
5. Saylor McMillon, Peoria Liberty, sprints
She’s close to cracking the all-time top-five list in state history for the 400 at 55.82. Won the AIA state titlr. Very consistent on the track — ran every single 400-meter race this season under 58.90. Ranked near the top for the 200 meters as well at 24.85. A future Division I athlete.
6. Nicole Ripperdan, Queen Creek, mid-distance
The younger sister of Zachary Ripperdan, a 2024 alum who is one of the fastest 800-meter runners in state history and is competing at Utah State after completing a mission with his church. Nicole has developed into one of the state’s top 800 runners herself, winning the Division I title and finishing runner-up at the AIA state championships. Personal best of 2:12.80.
7. Aniyah Martin, Phoenix Sunnyslope, hurdles
She’s already run the fastest time in state history for the 300-meter hurdles for freshmen and sophomores, putting her on record-breaking trajectory. Her time of 42.67 makes her the top returning athlete for the 2025 season. Martin’s mother, Tawnie, was a former athlete at Chandler Hamilton who competed mainly in the 200 and 400 meters and now is a certified United States Track and Field (USATF) coach.
8. Imani Galera-Young, Chandler, hurdles
Only .02 seconds behind Martin in the 300-meter hurdles, meaning there are a pair of athletes in the same class who could challenge the state record of 40.90 by their senior years. Galera-Young, learning under legendary coach Eric Richardson, is at one of the state’s top programs. She’s also developing into one of the state’s top athletes in the 100-meter hurdles as well — her time of 14.15 puts her at No. 2 in the state for next year.
Phoenix South
9. Faith Gentry, Mountain, throws
Ended her freshman year as one of the top javelin throwers in the nation for her class, and ended her sophomore year as one of the top javelin throwers in the nation for her class. Threw 136-8 this past season. She won the Division I state title and was runner-up at the AIA state championships. With 1976 Olympic bronze medalist Dwayne Evans at the helm of the school’s track and field program, Gentry’s in a good spot.
10. Jaiden Ware, Chandler Hamilton, jumps/sprints
A dynamic athlete who excels on the track (100, 200 meters) and in the field (long jump). She’s not far off the state lead in the long jump with her best of 1811.75 and has run 11.99 in the 100 and 25.02 in the 200 meters. Played a pivotal role in the team winning its first-ever state title in track and field. Her coach, E.J. Martin, was The Republic’s 2024 girls track and field coach of the year.