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

The sport of track and field is undergoing a transformation 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 boys athletes 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.

*Goodyear Desert Edge sprinter Jamar Beal-Goines would be on this list, but he’s already committed to Texas A&M for football only.

1. Sam Novak, Paradise Valley Phoenix Country Day School, jumps

One of the nation’s top pole vaulters. Provided one of the biggest shocks at the AIA state championships when he recorded a huge personal best in the pole vault to beat American Leadership Academy Queen Creek senior Taylor Searle, a BYU commit who was trying to take down the state record in the event. Novak cleared 17 feet to win the state title, and now will have a whole senior year to chase after the record of 17-7 himself. At the moment, he is the No. 3 returning athlete in the United States for 2025.

2. Bryson Nielsen, Mesa Eastmark, distance

The state’s premier distance runner. Nielsen has the chance to become the first Arizona athlete to go under nine minutes in the 3,200 meters since Gilbert Highland’s Leo Daschbach (now at Washington) did so in 2019. He has range across all three distance events on the track and is a top cross-country runner as well. Owns lifetime bests of 1:52.47 in the 800 meters, 4:10.49 in the 1,600 meters and 9:03.49 in the 3,200 meters.

3. DeMar Coleman, Phoenix South Mountain, sprints

Ran one of the all-time efforts in state history for the 200 meters when he recorded a time of 21.22 seconds. That time is just outside the top 10. He could become the first Arizona athlete in over a decade to run in the 20-second range next season. With the state record-holder Dwayne Evans — who won famously bronze in the event at the 1976 Olympics — leading the way as his coach, Coleman is in good hands. Also, he has run 10.67 in the 100 meters.

4. Bellemy Amina-Harris, Avondale West Point, hurdles

While Gilbert senior and Florida commit Vance Nilsson re-wrote the record books in the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles, Amina-Harris quietly put together a great season in the background. He ran a 14.07 in the 110-meter hurdles and a 37.73 in the 300-meter hurdles, not far off from Nilsson’s times as a junior. Amina-Harris could enter elite territory next season for both events.

5. Lucas Schiermeyer, Phoenix Desert Vista, throws

The excellence in the javelin continues at Desert Vista as Schiermeyer has picked up right from teammate Hayden Gorovitz, the state record-holder in the event who is now off to Nebraska. Gorovitz missed his senior season due to an injury, but Schiermeyer was able to still make the school’s presence felt as he won the AIA Division I state championship with a personal best throw of 189-11. He could crack 200 feet next season, which would put him on the all-time list.

6. Kai Espinosa-Golinski, Mesa Westwood, distance

Not far off of Nielsen as the state’s best distance runner. He is the No. 2 returning athlete in Arizona for both the 800 meters (1:53.92) and 1,600 meters (4:10.98) and is No. 6 for the 3,200 meters (9:17.47). Undoubtedly a Division I-caliber athlete.

7. Tyreeq Jones, Surprise Willow Canyon, sprints

Steadily improved over the season to become one of the state’s top sprinters, running a 10.51 in the 100 meters and a 21.45 in the 200 meters. He won the AIA Division II state title in the 200, one of Arizona’s most competitive divisions for sprints. He should be fighting at the top all season long next year for the right to be called the state's fastest athlete.

8. Logan Yackley, Goodyear Desert Edge, sprints

This name may come as a surprise since Yackley did not compete in 2024 at all due to an injury. Yackley could have been out on the track this spring, but his coaches decided to hold him out to focus on his senior year. With talented up-and-coming coach Sharod Selph taking over the program, Yackley is a hidden gem for Desert Edge waiting to pop off in 2025. He ran a 10.62 in the 100 meters and a 21.68 in the 200 as a sophomore.

9. William Feagles, Scottsdale Notre Dame Prep, jumps

Performed his very best when it mattered the most, clearing 6-8 in the high jump to win the AIA state championship. Feagles had only jumped 6-3 before. He could become one of the few athletes in state history to jump higher than 7 feet next season.

10. Trig Riefkohl, Buckeye Verrado, throws

A threat in both throwing events. He will enter next season as the state’s top returning athlete in the discus at 166-0. He finished fifth at the AIA Division II championships. For the shot put, he’s the No. 2 returning athlete at 51-0. He has even managed to throw 159-5 in the javelin as well.

11. Trace White, ALA Anthem South, jumps

Hit 48 feet in the triple jump at three different meets last season, including finishing runner-up at the AIA state championships. Has a personal best of 48-8. Close to getting into the 49-foot range. That would put him close to the all-time top-five list in state history.

12. Jaymis Brown, Gilbert Perry, jumps

At 23-6, he is one of two athletes at the moment who will return in 2025 with a personal best over 23 feet in the long jump. His all-conditions best is 23-10, which was wind-aided at 3.9 meters per second. Finished second at the AIA state championships. Has the chance to hit 24 feet next season, which hasn’t been done since Phoenix Brophy Prep’s Brennen McHenry did so in 2023, who is now competing at Texas.

13. David Cabrera, Goodyear Desert Edge, sprints

Won the AIA state title in the 100 meters in 10.61. Ran the first leg of the first-place 4x100-meter relay team (40.99). Had a season-best of 10.54 in the 100 and 21.74 in the 200. And that was coming off a limited build-up for the season following knee surgery in November. Has some offers for football, but he has a bright future in track. Learning from one of the top sprint coaches in the state.

14. William DeSpong, Phoenix Brophy Prep, hurdles

Very close to going under 14 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles (14.15). Also has run 38.79 in the 300-meter hurdles. Member of the sprint-relay teams. He comes from a school with a rich history in the hurdles as both state records used to be held by former Bronco athletes.

15. Rylan Sargent, Mesa Desert Ridge, sprints

One of the state’s top returning sprinters in both the 100 meters (10.65) and 200 (21.72). A two-way player who is also a defensive back and wide receiver on the football team. Very athletic.

16. Reiss Rinaldi, Chandler Hamilton, sprints

His sister, Treasure, was an all-state sprinter with Phoenix North Canyon and is now competing at Oregon State. Reiss is turning into a fine track athlete himself with a lifetime best of 48.21 in the 400 meters, No. 2 in the state. He also plays wide receiver. Just left Scottsdale Saguaro and is heading to Hamilton. Will be under coach E.J. Martin, one of the best in the state.

17. Henry Dilworth, Peoria Liberty, distance

His teammate, Ryan Denhof, an ASU commit, won the Division I state title in cross country and was named the Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year, but Dilworth was not far off in terms of performance. He was runner-up at the state cross-country meet behind Denhof and ran 9:10.99 in the 3,200 meters this track season, the No. 2 time in Arizona. Also ran 4:22.07 in the 1,600.

18. Josiah Wallace, Gilbert Williams Field, hurdles

One of the top returning athletes in the 110-meter hurdles at 14.67, which is third in the state. Twin brother of sprinter Jeremiah Wallace. Training in a good setting as well under the guidance of coach Kelvin Hunter at Williams Field, which is developing into one of the top track and field programs as the school comes off a Division II team state title.

19. Levi Hellmann, Gilbert, throws

Has thrown 184-11 in the javelin, ranked No. 2 entering next spring. Only three returners have thrown further than 180 feet – Hellman is one of them. Was the runner-up at the AIA state championships.

20. Donovan Davidson, sprints/hurdles, Tucson Empire

The only returning athlete who has run under 48 seconds in the 400 meters (47.93). Finished fourth in the event at the AIA state championships. Also has run 39.56 in the 300-meter hurdles. Plays basketball as well.

21. Jeremiah Wallace, Williams Field, sprints

Comes from a very athletic family. He is the twin brother of Josiah Wallace, a hurdler and No. 18 on the list. One of the top sprinters in the state. Has run a 10.68 in the 100 meters and a 21.64 in the 200 meters. He's ranked in the top 10 for both events and he's at one of the emerging track and field schools in the state.

22. Maddox Davis, Chandler Basha, sprints

A versatile sprinter who has range across all three events. Has run a 10.81 for the 100 meters, a 21.64 for the 200 and a 48.65 for the 400. His best event is probably the 200, but he’s ranked slightly higher in the 400.

23. Jack Kemling, ALA West Foothills, mid-distance

Ran a 1:54.65 in the 800 meters, the third-fastest time among returning athletes. Won the Division IV state title and finished seventh at the AIA state championships. He has improved mightily with coach Jason LeVander since transferring from Goodyear Trivium Prep Academy after his freshman season, running 2:07 as a freshman and 1:58 as a sophomore.

24. Darius Alberty, Brophy Prep, throws

Possesses a rare skill set. He’s one of the state's top returning athletes in the 300-meter hurdles at 39.69, but it’s the javelin where Alberty excels the most. Has thrown 183-2.5, one of the best marks in Arizona.

25. Addarius Miles, Avondale Westview, jumps

Was one of only two athletes last season to hit 6-8 in the high jump (Notre Dame Prep’s Feagles was the other). Opened his season at 6-5. Finished third at the Division III championships.

26. Theo McDaid, Hamilton, distance

Steadily improved this spring to go from 9:47.20 to 9:14.28 in the 3,200 meters. That’s a big drop in time in just 10 weeks of running. Also ran 4:22.60 in the 1,600 meters.

27. Keiton Blake, Mesa Eastmark, throws

The only returning thrower to be ranked in the top five for both the shot put (49-2) and discus (152-5). Came in fourth in the discus at the AIA state championships.

28. Geramiah Flunder, Chandler, sprints

Ran a 10.68 in the 100 meters, one of the top times in the state last season. He was a part of the 4x100-meter relay team that ran 41.08. He was also on the first-place 4x400-meter relay team, which went 3:14.91 for the third-fastest time in state history. With coach Derrick Richardson — who has watched his father, Eric, win 15 state titles with the girl’s team — leading the way, Flunder is in an ideal setting.

29. Drake Kent, ALA Queen Creek, throws

Came close to cracking the 50-foot barrier in the shot put when he threw 49-10 at the Division III championships to finish fourth. With the way he improved this season, beginning at 44-6, he should get well into the 50’s, and could even touch the low 60’s on a good day.

30. Keane Abril, Tempe Corona del Sol, throws

Should be challenging to be one of the top athletes in the shot put in 2025 as he has a lifetime best of 51-1. He is one of just two who have thrown further than 50 feet heading into next season. Also has thrown 150-10 in the discus.

31. Gabriel Romero, Red Mountain, throws

Not far off Kent in the shot put at 49-8.5, which he threw at the Division I championships to come in sixth.

32. Khalil Young, Surprise Shadow Ridge, jumps

Will be battling ALA Anthem South’s White in the triple jump. Young is at 48-2 and White is at 48-8. Missed the last half of the season.

33. Alexander Blecha, Phoenix Pinnacle, jumps

One of three returning athletes who has cleared higher than 15-1 in the pole vault. Has a lifetime best of 15-6. Was the runner-up at the Division I championships and finished fifth at the AIA state championships.

34. Bode Wagner, Mesa Red Mountain, jumps

A dual-sport athlete – also plays wide receiver in football. He is one of the state’s top returning long jumpers at 22-10.25. Should push himself into the 23-foot range, which will make him a contender for a state title.

35. Lance Bingham, Gilbert Highland, jumps

The little brother of Zach Bingham, a 2023 graduate who cleared 17-4 in the pole vault as a senior for the No. 4 mark in state history. Zach is now at BYU. Lance is following in big brother’s footsteps – he’s at 15-0.

36. Thomas Chisley, Phoenix North, jumps

Ranked in the top 10 for both the triple jump and long jump. Chisley has gone 46-3 in the triple jump and 22-3.35 in the long jump.

37. Marcos Diaz Rodriguez, Phoenix Desert Vista, sprints

One of the state's top returning sprinters. Has run 10.69 in the 100 meters and 21.97 in the 200 meters. Also has run on a 43.29 4x100-meter relay team and a 3:17.84 4x400-meter relay team.

38. Jeremy Dewey, Phoenix Pinnacle, jumps

Tied with Highland’s Bingham at 15-0 in the pole vault. Only six returning athletes have a personal best of 15-0 or higher. Finished in eighth at the AIA state championships. Missed the last half of the season — should be able to jump even further with a full season.

39. Michael Bostrom, Scottsdale Desert Mountain, mid-distance

Ran 1:55.88 in the 800 meters, which is the sixth-fastest time among returning athletes in the state. Was third at the Division III championships and 12th at the AIA state championships. Has run 52.41 in the 400 meters.

40. Kwontis Davis, Mesa Red Mountain, jumps

Only five returning athletes have cleared 6-5 or higher in the high jump – Davis is one of them. Davis’ 6-5 came in his season opener last year, so he’ll look to build on that in 2025.

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: Top Class of 2025 boy's track & field prospects