By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

First Round - BOYS | GIRLS

Here are summaries of the second-round meets:

WEST REGIONAL

Chandler AZ 90, Tahoma WA 46

Aliya Wilson secured wins in the 100 and 200 meters, in addition to anchoring the Bears’ 4x100 relay to victory, but Chandler dominated the rest of the competition, relying on seniors Jai Gruenwald, Diamond Black, Samantha Ponds, Haley Wolf, Raven Jordan and Anna Foreman to produce another impressive triumph. The Wolves outscored Tahoma with just their performances on the track, but also showcased depth by sweeping the shot put and discus, along with taking two of the top three spots in the long jump and triple jump. Tahoma’s Laena Tieng and Bryana Rogers split the high jump points with Chandler’s Kimarah Holt, as all three athletes had 5-2 clearances.

Fargo Davies ND 76, Mountain View ID 60

Davies doubled up Mountain View in the field events and it carried the Eagles to another impressive victory over a distance-based program after defeating Great Oak CA in the opening round. Although the Mavericks had senior Tori Sloan win the high jump and long jump, as well as sophomore Ashlyn Cormier prevail in the discus, Mountain View couldn’t overcome Davies sweeping the shot put and triple jump. Lexy Halladay and Makenna Schuler accumulated important distance points again for the Mavericks, who also won both relays, but senior twins Rose Gaye and Roseline Gaye were instrumental in Davies establishing a significant advantage in the sprints. The Eagles also stepped up with a timely sweep in the 100 hurdles, the only one recorded by either team on the track.

Valor Christian CO 95.5, Minnetonka MN 40.5

Valor Christian accumulated 61 points on the track, including sweeps in the 400 and both hurdles events, to become the first Colorado girls team to advance to the quarterfinals in tournament history after Fort Collins and Grandview both suffered second-round losses the past two years. Faith Robinson won the 100, Elizabeth Halbmeier prevailed in the 800 and Annika Muller secured a triple jump victory for Minnetonka, but Anna Hall earned wins in the 200, 300 hurdles, high jump and long jump for Valor Christian to counter those points for the Skippers. Joy Gerow, Jane Powers and Caroline Reinkensmeyer swept the discus for the Eagles, who also received significant points from freshmen Taylor Whitfield, Camille Peisner and Reese Dragovich.

DeSoto TX 82, Mansfield Lake Ridge TX 50

In case anyone wondered what the Texas UIL state championship meet would look like if there was only one overall crown at stake instead of titles in six classifications, three-time 6A winner DeSoto reaffirmed its dominance with a convincing performance against first-time 5A champ Mansfield Lake Ridge. DeSoto produced sweeps in the 400, 800, 1,600 and both hurdles events, in addition to winning both relays, which was enough points to earn the victory against Mansfield Lake Ridge, despite being outscored in every field event. Jasmine Moore prevailed in both horizontal jumps and Faith Ette won the throwing events for the Eagles, who also received victories in the 100 and 200 from Kelly Rowe. Bryannia Murphy, Jalese Moore, Rachel Anderson, Ishmia Black, Antoinette Bradley and Lauren Perry all earned wins for DeSoto, which accumulated 68 track points.

EAST REGIONAL

Western Branch VA 89, Hoover AL 47

Perhaps the most impressive example of Western Branch’s depth was showcased when Hoover, one of the storied hurdling programs in the country, was swept in the 100 hurdles and managed only one point in the 300 hurdles. Jazmine Tilmon, Shadajah Ballard and Adriana Shockley – members of the quartet that set the national record in the 4x100 shuttle hurdles relay – led the way for the Bruins, who accumulated 59 track points. Deja Washington prevailed in the shot put and Genesis Jones won the high jump for Hoover, which also received strong performances in the 1,600 and 3,200 from Sydney Steely, Emma Langley and Ava Weems. But Jessica Tucker, Ltamra Weeks and Imani Gaston helped Western Branch secure valuable points in the long jump and triple jump, with Zoe Shenton, Eryn Byrd and Joellen Driscol combining to sweep the discus for the Bruins.

St. Thomas Aquinas FL 72, Lincoln OH 55

A contrast in styles resulted in St. Thomas Aquinas’ strength in the hurdles and sprints being able to offset Lincoln’s depth in the distance races after the teams were evenly matched in the field events. Neither team contested the pole vault. Sophomores Zatoria Thompson and Jermecia Brown sparked St. Thomas Aquinas in the 100, 200 and 400, with Eddiyah Frye, Imani Christian, Emelia Chatfield and Nikia Smith lifting the Raiders by combining to sweep the two hurdles races. Madison Martinez, Claire Steigerwald and Shynae Deas helped the Golden Lions accumulate 26 points in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200, but despite splitting the relays, Lincoln only managed additional victories from Lacey Stringer in the shot put and Bronte Johnson in the discus. Thompson stepped up with another win the high jump, as did Frye in the long jump for the Raiders.

Marietta GA 71, Union Catholic NJ 65

Sterling Lester proved every bit of her worth and versatility by winning four individual events – 100 hurdles, 200, long jump and high jump – to help Marietta prevail in a thrilling matchup. The absence of Lester on the Blue Devils’ relays allowed Union Catholic to win both races, but Marietta’s two-point edge in the field events was instrumental in the final margin after holding a 43-39 advantage on the track. Josie Konigsmark won the pole vault, Karena Grigenas prevailed in the discus throw and freshman O’Niece Roberts earned a win in the shot put for Marietta to support Lester’s success in the high jump and long jump. Depth allowed Union Catholic to keep pace throughout, with the Vikings only receiving wins from Khamil Evans in the 400 and Tyler Scott in the triple jump. But juniors Ellie Hall and Ani Henderson came through with timely victories in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 for Marietta to prevent Jerika Luefrano and Leena Morant from playing spoiler for Union Catholic.

Miami Northwestern FL 69, Bullis MD 58

A heavyweight matchup showcasing some of the elite sprinters and hurdlers in the country wound up being decided by Miami Northwestern’s strength in the field events, especially the throwing competitions. Chanel Dawson, Alyssa Richard and Chaniya Dawson give Miami Northwestern the most impressive throwing corps in the country, which helped offset the outstanding performances of Bullis jumpers Aniella Delafosse, Sierra Leonard and Cierra Pyles. The teams both accumulated 41 track points, including a split of the relays, with Miami Northwestern earning the only sweep in the 3,200. Markalah Hart earned the most significant win for Miami Northwestern in the 100 hurdles, with her 13.74 effort holding off three additional sub-14 performances from Bullis. Masai Russell doubled in the 300 hurdles and 200 for the Bulldogs, with Nina Burgos winning the 1,600 and 3,200 for Miami Northwestern.