Off and running

Every year, the state of Utah boasts some of the top prep track and field athletes in the nation, and 2004 is no exception. As athletes near the midpoint of the always-quick-to-go-by season, favorites are starting to emerge in every direction.

Teamwise, the usual contenders should be fighting for glory again May 14 and 15 when the high school state championships are held at Brigham Young University. Among the top contenders for boys' team titles will be defending champ Viewmont along with Davis, Alta, Bingham, West Jordan and Taylorsville in 5A; Mountain View, Box Elder, Provo and Lone Peak in 4A; Judge Memorial, Ogden, defending champ Hurricane and perhaps three or four others in 3A; Richfield and North Summit (who put on a great dual last year with Richfield winning the title) and Juan Diego in 2A; and Panguitch trying to defend its title in 1A against St. Joseph's and Duchesne.

The girls' team title races look very interesting as well. In 5A, defending champ Alta looks strong again, along with Davis, Jordan, West Jordan, Skyline, Taylorsville and Fremont. In 4A, it will be tough for anyone to beat Mountain View, but Spanish Fork, Provo, Lone Peak and a couple of others will give it a try. Judge Memorial, Ogden, Cedar and Pine View are among top contenders in 3A; North Summit's girls will battle Richfield again for the 2A title, along with Juan Diego; and in 1A, St. Joseph's and Panguitch, which battled to the wire last year, will likely be front runners for the title.

That said, here's a look at some of the state's top athletes this year.

5A: In 5A, perhaps the state's most exciting athlete is Alta's Dan Hutson. He put on a classic battle in the sprints last year, taking titles in the 200, 400 and 800 meters. He's a big reason the Hawks have a shot to win the state crown. Other top sprinters include Alta's Collin Robinson and Chase England, Sok Nhim of Taylorsville, Aaron McKinley of Layton, Bingham's Kevin Biesinger, and Ryan Smoot of Davis. In hurdles, West Jordan's Matt Wolfsfeld, Enrique Reyes of Bingham, Taylor Pebley of Fremont, Jameson Frasier of Alta, and Casey Webb of Riverton are among top performers so far this year.

Distance running standouts in 5A include Weber's Nick Fisher, Jordan's Jared Bienlien, Thomas Lingard and Josh Adams of Davis, Daniel Yockey of Taylorsville, Alta's Brett Kotter and Viewmont's Brian McKenna. In field events, Trevor Heiner of Viewmont is a threat in high jump and long jump. Joining him are Gus Steadman of Jordan, Jason Ballash of Bingham, Alta's Chase Ricks, Ryan Spencer of Davis, Clearfield's Kody Lewis and Blake Parkinson, and Skyline's Brent Collins.