The Republic's Fab 50: Top Class of 2025 girl's track and field prospects

The sport of track and field is undergoing a transformation here in Arizona as the level of quality rises. Just in the past year, 11 state records have been broken. Athletes are getting faster, jumping higher and throwing further. With the new format of the state championships, which brings together all of the schools regardless of division, the competitiveness has been cranked up.

This is The Arizona Republic's Fab 50 girls' track and field prospects for the 2025 high school class. The state is filled with talented athletes across many events; this is a way to let everybody know about them. We will start with the first 10, and add another 10 each week until it reaches the 50 top prospects in Arizona. We will also have a Big 50 recruiting list for the 2026 class.

1. Zalaya Dupre, Glendale Copper Canyon, jumps

A top-tier, no-question Division I prospect with sky-high potential. Four weeks after trying out triple jump for the very first time, Dupre broke Jasmine Todd’s 2011 state record in the event when she went 41-9.5 feet to win the AIA state championship. Also the state leader in the long jump at 19-3.

2. Rickaiya Whitman, Phoenix Desert Vista, sprints

One of the state’s top sprinters with Division I talent. Sub-12 seconds in the 100 meters (11.91) and sub-25 seconds in the 200 meters (24.35). Won both events at the AIA Division I state championships.

3. Eleanor Borchard, Phoenix Xavier Prep, hurdles

Has massively improved under new hurdle coach Jarret Eaton, a two-time medalist in the 60-meter hurdles at the World Championships. The No. 1 returning athlete in the 300-meter hurdles (42.64) and No. 5 in the 100-meter hurdles (14.78). Tantalizing future.

4. S’Niyah Cade, Chandler, sprints

Burst onto the scene in her first season when she ran the all-conditions freshman state record in the 100 meters at 11.71 (+2.3 wind) and won the Division I state title in the event. Has dealt with some injuries since then. But still has been able to run 24.31 in the 200 meters and 11.78 in the 100. She's the daughter of Keri Suell, one of the best sprinters in state history. Also has gone 19-4.5 in the long jump.

More high school sports: Big 150 2025: The Arizona Republic's top high school football prospects

5. Sofia Boonzaayer, Glendale Prep Academy, throws

Had perhaps the biggest improvement out of any athlete in the state as she started out the year throwing 30 feet in the shot put and ended the year as the AIA state champion at 42-3.75. Her season-best was 43-3. Boonzaayer has transformed from a hurdler as a freshman to one of Arizona’s best throwers. Has thrown 128-4 in the discus as well.

6. Cloe Baugh, Gilbert Highland, distance

The little sister of the 2022 AIA Division I state champion in cross country, Emma, Cloe has carved out a name for herself. Cloe has more speed on the track than Emma, who is now competing at Utah Valley State. She has run 2:13.52 in the 800 meters and 5:02.52 in the 1,600 meters, both ranked near top of the state. She’s also a good soccer player.

7. Sydnee Finch, Eagar Round Valley, throws

She is one of the state’s most consistent throwers. Since her freshman season, Finch has competed in 28 shot put competitions. She has only lost once in that time span, which happened recently at this year’s AIA state championships when she came in third. Has a lifetime best of 43-6.

8. Aniya Smith, Waddell Canyon View, sprints

Will challenge for the title of the state’s top quarter-miler next season as she owns a personal best at 56.58. Also has run 25.04 in the 200 meters. Member of both sprint-relay teams. Could even bump up in distance and run the 800 meters – got down to 2:20.63 this season. Learning under head coach Muhammad Oliver, a former decathlete at Oregon.

9. Donice Ezealah, Chandler, hurdles

One of the top returning athletes for both the 100-meter hurdles (14.85) and 300-meter hurdles (44.45). With talented sophomore teammate Imani Galera-Young as a training partner, these two will push each other in practice on a daily basis. Ran on both sprint-relay teams as well.

10. Evangeline Dunckley, Scottsdale Saguaro, distance

Will likely be the state’s top 3,200-meter runner next season she is the only returner at the moment with a personal best under 11 minutes (10:54.32). Has run 5:09.14 in the 1,600 meters too. Also one of Arizona’s best cross-country runners.

11. Mia Kemp, Peoria Liberty, jumps

One of the state’s top overall high jumpers, tied for the top of her grade at 5-4. Kemp cleared that height in her season opener on March 1. She finished third at the AIA state championships. Should push American Leadership Academy Queen Creek sophomore Kyana Williams and Snowflake freshman Bryn Kupfer for the state lead next season.

12. Addison Johnson, Queen Creek, hurdles

On the verge of dipping into the 43-second range for the 300-meter hurdles with her personal best of 44.09. Could even challenge running in the 42’s. With head coach Shaun Hardt — who won the NFHS Girls Track and Field National Coach award this past January — leading the way, Johnson is in one of the state’s top programs.

13. Juliana Garcia, Chandler Basha, throws

She is the little sister of one of the best javelin throwers in state history, Gabriella (who is now off to Oklahoma to play softball). Juliana is a great athlete herself, one of the top discus throwers in Arizona. She is the top returning athlete in the event at 139-3.

14. Keira Mesa, Gilbert Campo Verde, jumps

At the moment, she is the only athlete coming back for 2025 with a personal best of 12-0 or higher in the pole vault. Was the Division II champion and finished runner-up at the AIA state championships.

15. Coco Velasquez, Mesa Red Mountain, throws

Will look to step up this next season as one of the state’s top athletes in the javelin. She’s No. 1 in her grade and No. 2 overall at 134-3. Velasquez is also in the top 10 in the discus at 121-7.

16. Gabby Taylor, Gilbert Highland, jumps/sprints

One of those athletes tied at 5-4 in the high jump. But her future may be in the 400 meters, where she has run 56.75. Also has relay potential; she was a member of the Hawks’ 6th-place 4x400-meter relay team at the AIA state championships. Can excel on the track and in the field.

17. Arianna Carry, Chandler, sprints

Only three juniors ran faster than 12 seconds in the 100 meters last season – Carry was one of them. One of the others was her teammate, S’Niyah Cade. Carry also ran 25.31 in the 200 meters. Her coach, Eric Richardson, is one of the best in Arizona at developing athletes for the next level.

18. Marley Stoller, Phoenix Xavier Prep, sprints

One of seven returning athletes in Arizona at the moment who will enter 2025 under 57 seconds in the 400 meters (56.79). She’s No. 3 in her grade and No. 7 overall. Also has run 25.58 in the 200.

19. Kayla Lark, Chandler Basha, distance

Don’t let her size fool you – Lark is a fierce competitor and one of the top 800-meter runners in the state. She has run 2:13.87, the No. 2 time among juniors. Lark finished fourth at the AIA state championships. Also ran 5:08.56 in the 1,600 meters.

20. Amelia North, Rincon University, distance

With Goodyear Millennium senior Landen LeBlond heading to Oregon, the mantle for best distance runner in Arizona is now up for grabs. North is one of those athletes who can grab it – the only returning runner ranked in the top four for both the 1,600 meters (5:08.18) and the 3,200 meters (11:01.32).

21. Addison Kohlmeier, Chandler Hamilton, jumps

Played a big role in Hamilton winning its first-ever state title in track and field with her third-place finish in the pole vault. Has a lifetime best of 11-9 in the pole vault, tied for second overall in the state. Should get into the 12-foot range next season.

22. Liz Ugwu, Tucson Sahuaro, throws

A top thrower in Southern Arizona. One of the few returning athletes who is ranked in the top five for both the shot put (38-3.5) and discus (132-2).

23. Aubree Gleason, Gilbert Williams Field, throws

The next best discus thrower in the state behind Basha’s Garcia. Gleason is No. 2 at 137-11. Also No. 10 in the shot put at 37-2. Williams Field, under the guidance of coach Kelvin Hunter, is developing into one of Arizona’s top programs.

24. Addison Bisceglie, Gilbert Christian, distance

Did well in her first season transferring over from nearby Gilbert Higley, running 2:17.56 in the 800 meters and 5:07.09 in the 1,600 meters. She’s the second-fastest returner in the 1,600. Also runs cross country as well, where she’ll get to potentially train with a state champion in sophomore Mila Russo (if Russo competes this fall – her main focus is soccer).

25. Natalie Roberts, Mesa Mountain View, distance

One of the six returning athletes who has run faster than 2:15 in the 800 meters – Roberts is at 2:14.87. Ran 5:17.03 for the 1,600 meters. An elite cross-country runner too. She finished third at the AIA Division I state championships.

26. Sienna Barnwell, Gilbert Campo Verde, throws

Will be vying for the state title in the javelin next season. She is the No. 3 returner at 133-0, one of the few athletes who has a mark above 130 feet. Campo Verde has produced Division I track and field athletes in the past.

27. Susie Mack, Thatcher, jumps

She’s not only the top Division IV athlete in the high jump, she’s also in the mix for being at the top of the state. Mack is at 5-4, tied with two other athletes (Liberty’s Kemp and Highland’s Taylor) for No. 3 overall.

28. Sophia Bryant, Phoenix St. Mary’s, jumps/hurdles

Ranked third in her class for the long jump at 18-1.5 and sixth in the state. Also ran 15.32 for the 100-meter hurdles and 46.71 for the 300-meter hurdles.

29. Sophronia Okpara, Tucson Mica Mountain, jumps

She’ll be the one trying to close the gap to the state record-holder, Copper Canyon’s Dupre, in the triple jump next season. Okpara is No. 2 overall at 37-7.5. Only two other returners have jumped further than 37 feet.

30. Jazmyn Kinzel, Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, jumps

Tied with Hamilton’s Kohlmeier at 11-9 in the pole vault. Finished second at the Division II championships and eighth at the AIA state championships.

31. Hannah Bridge, Glendale Mountain Ridge, sprints

Came close to running under 12 seconds in the 100 meters. Finished fourth at the Division I championships and came in seventh at the AIA state meet, running 12.01. Also qualified for state in the 200, run 25.52. Has a lifetime best of 25.19 in the event.

32. Ryah Zakula, Anthem Boulder Creek, distance

Shaved off 23 seconds from her season-opening time in the 1,600 meters, running 5:10.57 to finish ninth at the AIA state championships. Also close to going under 2:20 in the 800 meters – she’s at 2:23.59. Ran 19:43 for 5,000 meters in cross country.

33. Janessa Segay, Chinle, distance

One of the top distance runners in the northern Arizona region and the whole state. Was the runner-up in the 3,200 meters at the Division IV championship and ran a personal best of 11:11.87 to come in 10th at the AIA state championships. Ran at the RunningLane Cross Country Championships held in Alabama in the fall.

34. Ruby Barker, Chandler, hurdles

Just ran 15.02 in the 100-meter hurdles at the Great Southwest Classic. Probably has the best training group in the state with sophomore Imani Galera-Young, a top 2026 prospect, and Donice Ezealah, No. 9 on the list, as her teammate at Chandler.

35. Nicole Hipps, Snowflake, jumps

Has one of Arizona’s most promising high jumpers, freshman Bryn Kupfer, to jump with every day in practice. Hipps has a lifetime best of 5-3. Her coach, Alicia LaDuke, is a former state champion and competed at BYU in college.

36. Tyra Starkey, Queen Creek Casteel, jumps

The younger sister of state record-holder in the pole vault, Taylor, who cleared 13-6 in 2020 to break Highland’s Nicole Barker’s old mark. Tyra is 11-6 so far in her high school career, tied for No. 4 among returning athletes.

37. Teagan Martin, Flagstaff, jumps

Tied with Hipps at 5-3 in the high jump. Finished third at the Division II championships and qualified for the AIA state championships. Opened her season at 5-2.

38. Ashlyn Powell, ALA Gilbert North, jumps

Has cleared 11-6 in the pole vault, tied with Casteel’s Starkey for No. 4. Nobody else in the state is above 11-1 in the event. Improved big time this season – started the year at 10-0.

39. Madeline Falls, Queen Creek Benjamin Franklin, jumps

Has heptathlon potential. Falls is ranked in the top 10 for her class in three different events – the high jump (5-3), shot put (35-1.25) and long jump (17-7).

40. Dominique Reagan, Phoenix Mountain Pointe, jumps

Went 18-0 in the long jump, one of five returning athletes in her class to do so. She’s ranked No. 7 overall in the state. Finished third at the Division II championships and ninth at the AIA state championships.

Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, ASU and Olympic sports. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Stanley at logan.stanley@gannett.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: The Republic's Fab 50: Class of 2025 girl's track and field prospects