Top high school boy's track and field performances: Week 8
The high school track and field season is here and in full swing, as the two-month mark hits us. The state is coming off a historic year in which seven Arizona Interscholastic Association records were broken. We've already had two taken down this spring.
During the 2024 season, The Arizona Republic will be tracking the top performances each week as Arizona’s best athletes compete on the oval and in the field.
Here are the top boy’s performances from the eighth week of the season.
1. Vance Nilsson, Gilbert, hurdles, Sr.: Became the first athlete in Arizona high school history to run under 36 seconds in the 300-meter hurdles when he ran 35.67 at the Hohokam Invitational held at Mesa Westwood High School to set the new state record in the event. Nilsson had already run 13.54 in the 110-meter hurdles earlier in the day, which is No. 2 all-time in state history. It was a long build-up for Nilsson, who had been inching his way toward the 300-meter hurdle record this season before obliterating it. It’s the No. 1 time in the country and puts Nilsson into rarefied air. Truly a breathtaking performance.
High School baseball rankings: Arizona Republic's high school baseball rankings through April 15, 2024
2. DeMar Coleman, Phoenix South Mountain, sprints, Jr.: Ran 21.22 in the 200 meters at the Hohokam Invitational, which is the second-fastest time in the state this season. Coleman is No. 6 in the state for the 100 meters. With the 200-meter state record holder, Dwayne Evans, leading the way as his coach, Coleman is forging his own path to success.
3. Dash Wasson, Queen Creek, jumps, So.: Recorded a mark of 16-5 feet in the pole vault at the Hohokam Invitational to move up to No. 2 in the state. Wasson made the decision to transfer over from Crimson to Queen Creek after his strong debut freshman season and that decision is starting to pay off. While American Leadership Academy Queen Creek senior Taylor Searle has grabbed most of the headlines with his chase after the state record, Wasson is somebody else to watch for with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
4. Diego Aguirre-Stewart, Goodyear Millennium, hurdles, Sr.: Tried his hand, or I guess feet, in the 300-meter hurdles at the Hohokam Invitational, and ran 37.89 at the Top of the Mountain Invite held at Mesa Red Mountain High School. It’s the No. 2 time in the state this season. Aguirre-Stewart — who is already the state leader in the 200 meters — only started running this event six weeks ago, and has already managed to shave off almost five seconds. With Nilsson setting the pace at an all-time level, Aguirre-Stewart could be pushed to some historic times.
5. Mosese Hala'ufia, Marana Mountain View, throws, Sr.: Threw 176-6 in the discus at a home meet against Tucson Palo Verde, St. Augustine, Sunnyside and the Gregory School. That throw moves Hala'ufia to No. 3 in the state. It’s the furthest he has thrown in his career and continues his undefeated streak in the event so far this season.
Other highlights
Mesa Mountain View senior DeAndre Gatlin tied the state lead in the high jump, going 6-8 at the Hohokam Invitational.
Mesa Red Mountain senior and BYU commit Tyler Mathews ran 4:12.65 in the 1,600 meters at the Top of the Mountain Invite. It’s a new state lead for Mathews, who is already the state leader (and the state record holder) in the 800 meters for this season.
Gilbert junior Levi Hellmann moved to No. 2 in the state for the javelin, throwing 184-11 at the Hohokam Invitational, while Mesa Desert Ridge senior Greyson Farthing moved to No. 3, throwing 184-6 at the Top of the Mountain Invite.
Phoenix Desert Vista senior Mekhi Toms ran 14.35 in the 110-meter hurdles at the Top of the Mountain Invite, the No. 3 time in the state.
Chandler set the state leads in both the 4x100-meter relay (41.29) and the 4x400-meter relay (3:20.71) at the Hohokam Invitational.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Top high school boy's track and field performances: Week 8
