Best of the best: Dozens of area runners, throwers and jumpers chase records and medals at the state championships

Track and field state champions will be crowned this weekend as hundred of athletes converge on the Boise area.

The 6A/5A meet is Friday and Saturday at Mountain View High and the 4A/3A/2A competition is at Middleton High.

Here are a few storylines to watch as area teams vie for hardware.

It should be a good weekend for area hurdlers, but the top question of the meet is an easy one.

How fast is Spencer Van Orden?

The Highland junior leads the state in the 200 meters (21.53), the 400 (47.73) and is third in the 100 (10.79).

But it’s the hurdles where Van Orden shines and will likely challenge his own state records of 13.55 in the 110 hurdles and 36.60 in the 300 hurdles.

Tegon Lords of Nampa and Chase Lawyer of Boise are a close second and third, respectively, in both events and could present a challenge.

BOYS

Any other potential double winners?

There are several in all classifications.

Skyline sprinter Zyan Crockett is second in the 100 (10.89) and fourth in the 200 (22.12) on the 5A list, but the competition will be tough. Seven other 5A runners have broken 11 seconds and the 100, and two have gone under 22 second in the 200.

Hillcrest’s Garrett Cook comes off an impressive district meet, setting personal bests in the 110 (14.40) and 300 hurdles (39.63).

Both times are second in the 5A state rankings behind Kenyon Carter of Emmett.

Jose Torres of American Falls lead 4A with times of 10.81 in the 100 and 21.73 in the 200. A potential 100 final with Teton’s Jack Joyce (10.88) could be amazing.

Teton hurdler Canon Kunz is second in both 4A hurdle events.

The 3A sprints could provide a double winner as Aberdeen’s Emanuel Berrera tops the field at 10.98 while Firth’s Kaleb Bame is first in the 200. Barerra is sixth in the 200 and Bame is third in the 100 rankings.

West Side’s Ethan Willis has the top 800 time and is second in the 800.

Rawley Calder of West Jefferson has a long jump of 23-2.5, which leads 3A by nearly two feet. He also lead in the triple jump at 44-7.25.

Koden Krosch of Butte County could challenge in the 2A 100 and 200 races.

Who else has the top mark in their event?

Pocatello’s Gavin Schiffman has the top mark of 57-11.5 in the 5A shot put by more than three feet.

American Falls senior Austin Adair lead 4A with a time of 49.76 in the 400.
Degan Stoor of Soda Springs tops the 3A 110 hurdles field at 15.01 and is second in the 300 hurdles.

The Cardinals’ Cole Garbett leads 3A discus by nearly seven feet with a mark of 166-1. He’s also ranked third in the shot put.

Tanner Henderson of West Side leads 3A pole vaulters with a mark of 13-10.

Javelin thrower Stetson Wanstrom of Butte County leads 2A at 148-2, while teammate Keaton Archibald leads the division with a long jump of 22-9.75.

Who’s the best distance runner?

Area runners should flourish in the distance races.

Zane Lindquist of Teton will challenge in the 1,600 and 3,200 in 4A, while North Fremont’s Corbin Johnston leads the 3A field in the 1,600 and 3,200. Rockland’s Hayden Smith could challenge in the 2A 1,600 and 3,200 races.

GIRLS

Any potential double winners?

In 5A sprints, Idaho Falls’ Hallie Burton leads 5A with a time of 12.34 in the 100 and is third in the 200 at 25.78.

Idaho Falls’ hurdler Abby Coleman is second in both the 100s and 300s in 5A.

Blackfoot’s Cambrie Waterhouse leads the shot put field at 42-10 and is third in the discus at 131-4.

Pocatello’s Adrie Johnson sits second in the 5A long jump (17-2.) and the triple jump (35-11.75).

4A hurdles will be competitive with Lydia Townsend of Marsh Valley holding the second spot at 14.87 and Snake River sophomore Paetyn Polatis third in the 300 hurdles. South Fremont basketball standout Brianne Bailey looks to challenge in both races.

Look for Firth’s Baylee Johnson in the sprints. She’s second in both the 3A 100 and 200.

Aberdeen’s Sage Rowlan leads the 3A 300 hurdles competitors by more than three second and is second in the 100 hurdles.

Who else has the top mark in their event?

Hillcrest’s Leah Pebley is tied for the top high jump mark in the state at 5-7. Her mark is three inches better than the next jumper.

Just a freshman, Rigby’s Gracie West leads the 6A pole vault field at 12-0. Teammates Lizzy Poston and Kaylei Kelley are right behind at 11-6 and 11-0.

Lauren Christiansen of Blackfoot leads the 5A triple jump field.

Blackfoot is strong in the weight events. Eva Grimm has the top spot in the discus at 137-1.

Townsend of Marsh Valley also has the top 4A pole vault mark of 11-6.

Firth’s Madison Torgerson tops 3A shot putt at 39-10.

Ririe high jumper Clara Hayes is tied for the top mark in the 3A high jump at 5-2.

Paityn Messick of Firth leads 3A pole vaulters at 9-9, with Salmon’s Kyla James and Soda Springs’ Ameliarose Harris right behind at 9-6.

More area hurdlers expected to shine this weekend as Challis sophomore Lilly Stebbins enters with the top times in the 2A 100 hurdles (15.99) and the 300 hurdles (46.36).

Stebbins also has the top high jump, clearing 5-6.

Who’s the best distance runner?

Jaycee Jensen of Idaho Falls leads 5A in the 1,600 and is fifth in the 3,200. Century’s Hailey Jackson is second in the 3,200 and fifth in the 1,600.

Kynzie Nielson of Firth has been a staple of the program for four years and enters her final state meet with the top 3A times in the 800 (2:18.61), the 1,600 (5:22.27) and the 3,200 (11:28.42).

Coming off a state cross country team title, Ririe’s Lucy and Liza Boone will be chasing medals.