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Preview: Southern Nevada 4A/5A Regional

Published by
DyeStat.com   May 9th 2023, 12:00am
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State Berths On The Line In Nevada At Southern Regional

By John Dixon for DyeStat

Nevada's Southern Regionals, for classes 5A through 1A, begin on Tuesday, May 9. The meet will qualify athletes to the NIAA Championships at Henderson Liberty HS, May 19-20. 

Here is an overview of how the 5A and 4A regionals are shaping up, with some locks and possible outcomes on the horizon. The top four from each event will advance to the state championships. 

5A Boys

Sprints 

It's “Lock City” for Palo Verde senior Nasir Tucker for the 100-200 (10.43/21.44) barring any mishaps. He's been the top sprinter in the state this season. Gorman sophomore Derek Meadows will be a factor in the 200 (21.74). In the 400, Tucker will be challenged by Liberty junior Lonnie Kendrick (47.54).

It could be advantage Kendrick in the 400 but Tucker has run 48.47 and hasn't shown all of his cards in the event yet. 

Distances

In the 800, Faith Lutheran and Bishop Gorman athletes look like the best bet. If Faith Lutheran’s Tobi Albi (1:55.14), Bishop Gorman’s Jordan Kreisberger (1:56.01) and Faith Lutheran’s Logan Scott (1:57.02) are all involved, this could be one of the highlights of meet. 

Don’t count out Faith Lutheran freshman Brady Anderson, the top freshman in Nevada in the 800 and 1,600. His 800 PR is 1:57.73, but it will take a 1:54 or better to win.

In the 1,600, Scott (4:16.49), Kreisberger (4:21.29) and Albi (4:22.02) will meet again. The all-time Nevada 1,600 is 4:08.67. The may not come this week, but it may require sub-4:15 to win. 

Although the Nevada best times come from the North, expect the 3,200 to be a battle as well. Scott (9:35.81), Kreisberger (9:38.86) and Green Valley’s Diego Chavez (9:41.26) look like the top picks to advance. If Chavez doesn’t let the field get away, he has the best kick in the field and has closed eight-lap races in 61 seconds. Don’t count out Green Valley sophomore Andrew Poirier (9:49.07) for a state berth.

Hurdles

Bishop Gorman’s 6-foot-7 sophomore, Derek Meadows is still learning the event and could be an extreme talent when he gets more experience. He has 14.99 in the 110-meter hurdles and is even more impressive in the 300-meter event, where he ran 37.61 at the BYU Invitational on Saturday. 

Gorman senior Giovanni Moya (14.97) and Liberty’s Landon Bell (15.20) are leading contenders in the 110-meter hurdles. If anything goes wrong, Green Valley's Elyjah Cobwell (15.44) and Palo Verde’s Omari Jones (15.50) could scoop up a state berth.

Meadows, who is coached by Natalie Bonds, the mother of Nevada's best hurdling family (Tiana, Talie, Zoey and Quincy), could soon be a state record breaker in the 300 hurdles (36.51). Moya (39.34) and Bell (40.96) and Liberty's Ethan Hilliard (41.14) will challenge.

Relays

The top three are Liberty (42.18), Silverado (42.81) and Palo Verde (43.04). If Palo anchors with Tucker…watch out! These three teams, should make it to state with clean hand-offs. On the outside with a shot is Green Valley (43.23).

In the 4x200, it's Liberty (1:27.95), Palo Verde (1:29.40) and possibly Arbor View (1:31.26). Tucker can’t run everything for Palo, though. Look for Silverado to qualify for State (1:31.85).

Faith Lutheran is three seconds ahead of the field in the 4x400 (3:23.65) leads the Nevada list, but that's with Albi in the lineup. Will he run the 4x400 at Region? Next in line is Liberty (3:26.63) and Bishop Gorman (3:26.89) and Palo Verde (3:28.86). No telling who will run on these relays though.

The only team under 8 minutes this season in the 4x800 is Faith Lutheran (7:57.30), but they loaded it up at the Skyhawk Invitational. Many times, teams save their best runners for individual events and hope to qualify with a modified “B” team. Big coaching decisions will be made here. If Green Valley loads it, they’ve run 8:25.90 and Bishop Gorman has run 8:26.90. Arbor View has a 8:28.00 to their credit, so the Aggies may be a factor. It's a far cry from the early 1990s when Cheyenne would run sub-eight minutes at weekday dual meets. 

Horizontal Jumps

The class of the long jump field is Tucker. Without a doubt, he's the premier male athlete in Southern Nevada. But he can only choose four events. His PR (23-5) is a foot beyond the rest of the field. Next best is Arbor View’s Dylan Cooks (22-0) and Liberty’s Jaden Riley (21-10.50). 

If Cooks doesn’t win the long jump, his shot for a gold lies in the triple jump. He has the top mark (44-8). He has a two-foot advantage over Liberty’s Joshua Ashley-Solis (42-8.50). Next in line is Palo Verde’s Jimmie Moody (42-6). 

Vertical Jumps 

High jump is a weak event in Southern Nevada thanks to volleyball taking many of the top athletes. Nobody has jumped higher than 6 feet, but there are five tied at that height: Jahsire Morris, Las Vegas HS; Landon Bell, Liberty; Evan Odle, Palo Verde; Takeo Moore, Palo Verde; Liberty’s Damien Samuda. No predictions here. Winner will come on a first-attempt success.

In the pole vault, Faith Lutheran’s James Vogel (15-1) qualifies as a lock. Next best is Centennial’s Aspen Warner (13-9) and Faith Lutheran’s Thomas Aldrick (13-8). Liberty's Jonathan Steiner (13-6) is also in the picture.  

Throws

Faith Lutheran junior Preston Beery (60-4.50) has an eight-foot cushion over the competition. Southern Nevada would have multiple 60-footers if not for Spring Football getting in the way.

Beery is also the top thrower in the discus and has a best mark 41 feet better than anyone else (178-1). Silverado’s Blayke Michael (147-6) and Liberty’s Sawyer Gates (147-4) will look for second . Centennial’s Evan Martin (144-2) is also a possibility, along with Bishop Gorman’s Seth Wilfred (142-1) and Palo Verde’s Jacob Chatman 140-8). 

5A Girls

Sprints

Centennial’s Iyonna Codd has run 11.72 in the 100 meters and the junior is in the "Lock City" category. She's the favorite for the state title. The next best is Faith Lutheran’s trio of Jayden Lightford (12.04), Zakiya Hill (12.14), and Jordan Jackson (12.27). Nobody else is  in contention.

In the 200, it's Codd again (24.30). In the hunt will be Hill (24.56), Jackson (24.87) and Lightford, in that order. 

Codd, again, in the 400 (55.31). She is more than a second better than next-in-line Lightford (56:08) and her teammate Zakiya Hill (56.48). Liberty will have two  girls close with Kennedy Robinson (57.17) and Jayden Lopes (57.41)

Distance

The 800 meters is up for grabs, with 10 girls having a shot at a medal. Mackenna Calvin from Centennial sits atop the list with a 2:18.70 at the Mt. SAC Relays. Her PR is 2:15.17 in winning the 2022 state championship as a freshman. It may take that time or better for the win. Looking for a podium finish will be Arbor View senior Zoe Christensen (2:20.04); Liberty’s trio of Jayden Lopes (2:22.26), Gena-Rosa Brown (2:29.06) and Kiana Harworth (2:30.68PR).

Bishop Gorman’s trio of Sophia Kellogg (2:28.13), Brianna Sorrillo (2:31.08) and Eden Dutrey (2:31.62); Faith Lutheran freshman Brianna Lee (2:24.47); and finally Desert Oasis’ Mya Libatique (2:31.60) all have a shot.

Calvin's best 1,600 comes from a mid-March meet (5:06.58 at Laguna Beach) and holds the top spot in  Southern Nevada. She may not have to run that fast at the regional with the next-best runner 20 seconds back. Bishop Gorman sophomore Gabriella Martinez (5:26.00) and teammate Sophia Kellogg are also looking for state qualifiers. 

The top two in the 3,200 should be a lock with Martinez (11:27.83) and Calvin (11:35.35).

Hurdles

In the 100-meter hurdles, three girls have times under 15 seconds and there is no clear-cut favorite. One slip up, and it's over in this event. Centennial junior Saniyah Miles has a slight edge (14.59) over Liberty freshman Sofia Lopes (14.64). Misa Holland from Sierra Vista rounds out the sub-15’s with 14.89. Looking for a top-three finish is Liberty’s and Nevada’s best all-round athlete Ali’a Matavao (15.09). 

Kennedy Robinson continues the tradition of Centennial’s hold on the 300 hurdles. She has the only sub 44-second time (43.86). All 10 girls in the Top 10 have run under 48 seconds. 

Relays

Faith Lutheran (47.22) and Centennial (47.66) will battle it out for the regional championship in the 4x100 relay.

Faith Lutheran also ran 1:39.90 in the 4x200 at Arcadia. This is another event where handoffs will play a key role. Centennial (1:43.22), Liberty (1:43.95) and Coronado (1:44.92) are all in the hunt. It's unclear which teams will employ their best lineups. 

Liberty could threaten the all-time Nevada best if the load it. The team's best time is 3:52.41. Nevada all-time is 3:47.15. Centennial comes in with a 3:54.06. These are the only teams under 4 minutes. Not that far behind is Faith Lutheran’s 4:09.06. 

No team has gone faster than 10 minutes so far this season. Liberty has the top time of 10:04.83, followed by Bishop Gorman (10:15.78) and Faith Lutheran (10:20.08).

Throws

Rancho senior Camryn Cadle (44-6) has the top throw in the shot put this season, but don’t count out Liberty’s Ali’a Motavoa who recently PR'd with a 43-3. Liberty’s Chayanne Gordon also recently PR'd with a 40-5. It's a big drop off after that.  

Faith Lutheran’s Emma Kwok (133-6) has a 6-foot advantage over the next best thrower. Looking for the upset are Rancho’s Cadle (127-02) and Liberty's Gordon (125-7) and Sophia Clark (122-3). 

Horizonal Jumps

Multi-sport superstar Ali’a Montavao from Liberty (17-9.50) leads the list of 17-foot jumpers. Looking for the upset will be Centennial’s Ke’marah Howard (17-8), Liberty’s Jayden Lopes (17-6.75) and Coronado’s Kayli Middleton (17-0).

Howard tops the list with 37-9.50). This is not a lock, however, with Coronado teammates Middleton (37-5) and Rowan Bringhurst (37-0) lurking in contention. 

Vertical Jumps

Howard has been the top high jumper in the state this season with a best clearance of 5-5. Challengers will be Liberty’s Sophia Lopes (5-2), Ali’a Motavao (5-2) and Green Valley’s Tatiana Buono (5-0) and Coronado’s Addison Hunt (5-0).

Coronado junior Kaylee Daniel (12-1) has dominated the South and State this season in the pole vault. This event can turn unpredictable. Faith Lutheran’s Kennedy Benjamins (11-4) ranks No. 2. Third place is up for grabs with 10-0 vaulters Maddie Beam of Green Valley and Arbor View’s Jasmine Gottschaldt.

4A Boys

Sprints 

Unfortunately, there will be no more match-ups between state leader Nasir Tucker (5A) and current 4A leader Evander Thomas from Shadow Ridge. 

When the two met at the Las Vegas Track Classic, Thomas won 10.73 to 10.75. The only other 4A boy faster than 11 seconds so far is Canyon Springs’ De’Andre Jenkins (10.81). Third through fifth are separated by just .03.

Cimarron-Memorial’s pair, Justin Cohn (11.06) and Makai Curry (11:07) as well as Sierra Vista’s Jazarien Johnson (11.09) will battle for the bronze.

In the 200, it’s Thomas (21.54) and Jenkins (21.94) heading the list. The No. 1 freshman sprinter in Nevada in the 100-200 and 400, Andres Pollard from Clark (22.33w) will be pressed by Somerset Sky Pointe’s Tyren Taylor (22.41) and Canyon Springs’ Josiah Moon (22.42).

In his first full season of high school track, Clark’s Werrason Bakindo has improved steadily all spring, starting out with 53’s and now with a current PR of 49.97 in the 400 meters. Second on the list is Canyon Springs’ Jesse Stark (50.41). The next six on the list are all 51-second guys. Mojave’s Troy Williams III (51.03), Clark’s Andre Pollard (51.05) Sky Pointe’s Jose Torres (51.37), Shadow Ridge’s Hawkin Ledingham (51.40), Desert Pines’ Elisah Banks (51.78), and finally Sky Pointe’s Christian Andrade (51.92).

Distance

Shadow Ridge’s Carson Wentzel is the only one under 2 minutes (1:58.96), but he has four other teammates ranked below in the 800 meters. It's a big-point event for the Mustangs. Kevin Jentzch (2:00.42), Makai Thurgood (2:02.36), Leonardo Flores-Santa Cruz (2:03.32), and Ethan Hughes (2:03.70). Only four from a team can enter.

Wentzel has a six-second margin in the 1,600 meters (4:23.21) over No. 2 Kenan Dagge (4:30.83) from Desert Oasis. Dagge has been improving all season. Next in line is Sky Pointe’s Jack Medina (4:31.78) and Shadow Ridge’s Jentzch (4:35.95). Break 4:30 and the season continues.

There are three runners under 10 minutes so far in the 3,200 meters: Dagge (9:35.72), Medina (9:47.77) and Wetzel (9:57.64). Fourth place should go to one of these three: Sierra Vista’s Nathan Nations (10:00.27), Foothill’s Alexander Ibarra (10:03.58) and Desert Oasis’ Aidan Miller (10:05.32).

Hurdles 

Nobody under 15 second here. Yet. Shadow Ridge has the top two with Aden Nguyen (15.00) and Jarbirey Carter (15:40). Four more under 16 seconds have a shot at making it to state.

Mojave’s Antwan Hawkins (40.21) is the only one under 41 seconds, but six more hurdlers are on the cusp and under 42 and looking for a breakthrough. 

Relays

There are three teams under 44 seconds …Mojave(43.22), Desert Oasis (43.34) and Sky Pointe (43.89).

Shadow Ridge has emerged as the favorite in the 4x200 (1:27.60) with Sierra Vista (1:29.96) having the only other team under 1:30. Sky Pointe has run 1:30.93. 

Clark looks like the favorite in the 4x400 (3:29.96). Legacy (3:32.50) and Shadow Ridge (3:35.15) as well as Foothill (3:35.36) will challenge. 

Shadow Ridge has the top time in the 4x800 with 8:25.34. Basic (8:30.03) and Clark (8:30.61) are in the hunt. 

Throws

Far and away the best thrower here is Shadow Ridge’s Nathan Smith (53-7). He has a 7-foot advantage over Mojave’s Donte Hookfin (46-0) and Clark’s Aaron Seastrong (45-10).

It's all Smith again in the discus. His best is 130 feet. Travis Earvin from Cimarron-Memorial (126-7), Basic’s Sosefa Vake (123-11) and Cimarron-Memorial’s Elias Laula (123-7) aren't far behind. 

Horizontal Jumps

Canyon Springs’ Armondo Lewis comes in with the top high jump clearance of the season (6-2). Seven other jumpers are at 6-0, so this will be a competition is wide open. 

Chance Juden from Shadow Ridge is the class of the field at 14 feet. No one else has made 12 feet.

Vertical Jumps

Legacy’s Myron West has the best long jump mark at 21-8. He rates as a co-favorite, along with Mojave’s Zatravion Stevenson-Henderson (21-7) and Shadow Ridge’s JaQuieze Holland (21-5). 

In the triple jump, Shadow Ridge’s JaQuieze Holland has the top jump of 46-2, followed by teammate Nysir Johnson (45-6) and Sierra Vista’s Jerron Baker (45-1). 

4A Girls

Sprints 

Canyon Springs junior Jasmine Davis tops the list in all three events (12.40/25.29/58.68). She could bring huge points to the Pioneers. Legacy’s Mailaya Taylor is No. 2 in the 100 and 200 (12.46/26.11). Spring Valley’s Kamari Sherwood (12.47/26.43) and Cimarron-Memorial’s SunJun Supek (26.24) will be in the hunt. Legacy’s Amaya Stepp is the only other 4A girl under 60 seconds in the 400 meters (59.93). Other challengers include Shadow Ridge’s Ava Stosich (1:00.85), Palo Verde’s Tia Brown (1:01.39PR), Legacy’s Samiyah Washington (1:01.46) and teammate Zya Glover (1:01.49). 

Distance 

Shadow Ridge has dominated the distance events all season with five of its 800-meter runners in the top 10. Lea Okuda (2:17.11P5:32.23/11:55.11) has the potential to win all three events. She be challenged by freshman teammate and sister, Elynn Okuda (2:26.17/5:24.29/12:03.26). In the 1,600 look for Palo Verde’s Liliana Devore (5:33.65) and Sky Pointe’s Kennedy Cox (5:34.14). Don’t count out veteran Soleil Fullmer (5:40.69) from Foothill. Fullmer is No. 2 ranked in the 3,200 (12:00.98) followed by Elynn Okuda and Cox (12:06.45). 

Hurdles

Four girls have dipped below 16 seconds this season. Topping the list is Legacy’s Ana Amerson (15.78 PR), followed closely by Shadow Ridge’s Savana Chalmers (15.84). Then comes a trio from Palo Verde, with Tia Brown (15.87), Berklie Ahlander (15.88) and Asia Wilson (16.03)/

Canyon Spring’s speedster Jasmine Davis leads the way in the 300-meter hurdles with a 43.69. Then comes Brown (45.86), Wilson (46.26) and Ahlander (47.97). 

Relays

Spring Valley ranks No. 1 in the 4x100 (49.47), followed by Legacy (50.17) and Canyon Springs (50.47). Watch out for Cimarron-Memorial (50.94). Will coaches load the relays or save their speedsters for individual events? 

In the 4x200 there are five teams are under 1:50.00. Legacy leads the rankings (1:44.83), followed by Spring Valley (1:45.47) and Desert Pines (1:47.14).

Canyon Springs (4:10.11), Legacy (4:11.82) and Palo Verde (4:14.77) are the top three in the 4x400. Not far behind are Foothill (4:15.52) and Shadow Ridge (4:17.43).

The distance crew at Shadow Ridge should be deep enough to load up and win the 4x800. Palo Verde, Foothill and Sky Pointe should battle for the next spots. 

Throws

There is no clear-cut favorite in the shot put. Foothill’s Elizabeth Duffy ranks No. 1 in 4A with 36-7.50. Cimarron-Memorial’s Julia Robergeau (35-5) and Bonanza’s Jay Rosales (35-1) are next.

Cimarron-Memorial has four of the top seven discus throwers, so big points are possible for the Spartans. Elenise Fotu (121-6) and Miracle Siaosi (114-8) rank 1-2. Foothill has third and fourth with Duffy (106-1) and Alyse Marshall (102-6).

Horizontal Jumps

Canyon Springs’ Jasmine Davis can only compete in four events, but if she chooses to jump, she’ll be the top seed in the long jump at 17-3.50. Two more girls have bettered 17 feet, including Palo Verde’s Tia Brown (17-2.50) and Foothill’s Lily Mayo (17-1). Shadow Ridge has two jumpers who are close with Elaina Smith (16-11.50) and Savana Chalmers (16-8). 

Chalmers (37-5) leads the triple jump list. Foothill’s Savanna Truax (36-6) and Shadow Ridge’s Smith (35-0) will challenge. 

Vertical Jumps

Cimarron-Memorial’s Maya Hobbs (5-3) and Palo Verde’s Tia Brown (5-2) are the only ones over 5 feet. Five girls are tied with 4-10. They are: Foothill’s Lily Mayo, Shadow Ridge’s Katelyn Cuthbertson and Jaslyn Jefferson, Spring Valley’s Miranda Dooley and Sunrise Mountain’s Mekhia Williams.

Misses will play a factor.

In the pole vault, nobody has cleared 10 feet yet, but it make take a clearance there to win. Palo Verde’s freshman Selma Eros (9-4) and Basic sophomore Eli Miranda (9-0) are the leading contenders for gold.



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