By Erik Boal, DyeStat Editor

First round  BOYS | GIRLS

Second round  BOYS | GIRLS

Here are summaries of the girls regional semifinals (national quarterfinals):

WEST REGIONAL

Chandler AZ 103, Fargo Davies ND 33

Chandler amassed the most points by any girls team in a quarterfinal victory in tournament history, winning both relays, sweeping three events and taking both first and second in five others to end the memorable run of Fargo Davies in the debut for the North Dakota Division A state champions. The Eagles swept the high jump with Kaia Schneider, Elise Rue and Jenna Bergantine all clearing at least 5-3, in addition to Rose Gaye producing a victory in the 100, but that was the extent of Davies’ success against the defending champions. Chandler received three wins from Jai Gruenwald, along with two each from Haley Wolf and Samantha Ponds, plus additional victories from Zaire Chest, Anna Foreman, Morgan Foster, Raven Jordan and Diamond Black. The Wolves accumulated 64 track points, only exceeded by their 65 in a first-round victory against Kansas 5A champion Newton, to reach a third consecutive regional final.

DeSoto TX 72, Valor Christian CO 62

For the third year in a row, DeSoto will face Chandler AZ in the West Regional final after overcoming an exceptional individual effort by Valor Christian junior Anna Hall to keep their aspirations of reaching a national championship alive. Valor Christian held a 10-point advantage in the field events, with Hall prevailing in the high jump and long jump to go along with her victories in the 300 hurdles and 200. But DeSoto won both relays, in addition to sweeping the 100, 400 and 100 hurdles, which was too much for Valor Christian to overcome in the first quarterfinal appearance by a Colorado girls team. Ja’Era Griffin, Deandria Hart and Jada Laye swept the 100, with Bryannia Murphy, Cierra Wash and Jalese Moore taking the top three spots in the 400 for DeSoto. With Hall winning the 200 instead of contesting the 100 hurdles, it allowed DeSoto to secure another sweep, led by Antoinette Bradley, Jayla Hollis and Jalaysiya Smith. Valor Christian battled valiantly to earn a combined 21 points in the distance events, led by Taylor Whitfield and Keely Jones, but even with that success, DeSoto still held a 20-point overall advantage in the track events to earn the win.

EAST REGIONAL

Western Branch VA 89, St. Thomas Aquinas FL 47

Western Branch returned to the East Regional final to earn a rematch with Florida 3A champion Miami Northwestern after a convincing victory over state 4A winner St. Thomas Aquinas, which only managed track victories in the 300 hurdles and 100. Sophomore Zatoria Thompson prevailed in the 100 and led a sweep in the high jump, but despite a victory from Imani Christian in the 300 hurdles against a talented group of challengers and St. Thomas Aquinas scoring nine points as a result of the Bruins not contesting the pole vault, there was little else the Raiders could do to slow Western Branch’s momentum. Chernell White, Portia Gainey, Eryn Byrd, Zoe Shenton and Joellen Driscol combined to sweep the shot put and discus throw for the Bruins, with Ltamra Weeks, Imani Gaston and Raven Goodman taking the top three spots in the triple jump. Western Branch, which also won both relays, relied on the usual strong contributions of Na’Taja Ballard, Adriana Shockley, Jazmine Tilmon, Shardonnay Nichols and Sara Belamarich to accumulate 56 track points.

Miami Northwestern FL 79, Marietta GA 57

Sterling Lester did her best for Marietta to counter the strengths of some of Miami Northwestern’s best athletes, but her performances weren’t enough to prevent the Bulls from reaching a third consecutive East Regional final. Lester earned a big victory in the 100 hurdles, in addition to winning the 200, 400 and long jump, but despite Ellie Hall doubling in the 1,600 and 3,200, along with Ani Henderson winning the 800, the Blue Devils didn’t win another head-to-head event, earning nine unopposed points when Miami Northwestern didn’t contest the pole vault. The Bulls prevailed in both relays, with Ulani Toussaint securing a victory in the 100, Markalah Hart taking the 300 hurdles and Gabrielle Grant earning a valuable win in the high jump. Dascha Robinson, Jada Holton and Stephanie Jobe produced a significant sweep in the triple jump, with the reliable trio of Chanel Dawson, Alyssa Richard and Chaniay Dawson contributing a combined 15 points in the shot put and discus throw to help Miami Northwestern double up on Marietta in the field events.