Field loaded for run at track titles

Without question, the biggest story coming out of last year's Utah High School Track and Field Championships was the end of the streak — Spanish Fork's girls ending the 11-year reign of Mountain View as state champions. Now the new season has begun, and once again, everyone else will be looking up at the Lady Dons, who are positioned to repeat the feat at next month's finals.

As the prep track season enters its midway point this month, some of the old favorites, and a few new ones, are taking center stage again.

Girls preview

Starting with the girls, both Spanish Fork and Mountain View are now in 5A, with the realignment of Region 4. Both will be battling Davis, Fremont, Alta and Jordan for the gold. Spanish Fork is led, of course, by the Stewart sisters — Diane, Nachelle and Natalie. They were so dominant last season that they almost single-handedly (or triple-handedly) beat all other teams.

Diane is the defending champ in both hurdles races, but she's still coming back from an injury she suffered last fall and has yet to compete. Twins Natalie and Nachelle are excellent sprinters, having shown their wares at the recent coaches association meet. The Dons also boast top distance runner Chelsea Loss. If Diane Stewart can return to form, Spanish will be hard to beat.

Mountain View comes back with Sarah Yingling who will try to fill the shoes of graduated Heidi Houle, and with defending javelin champ Brittany Harvey. Davis counts on star hurdler Ashlee Cannon (who should give the Stewarts some great challenges in those events), along with discus and shot put star Alayna Ferrin. Alta has strong distance runners in Marissa Floodman, Ashley Nelson and Mellie Wegener; and long jumper Haylee DeYoung. Fremont will bring its always strong distance runners to the table — Kim Quinn, Lexie Meyer, Katie and Jessie Chugg and Cassie Ricks, along with sprinter Madison Zaugg. Viewmont's Ada Robinson and Jordan's Jennifer Neddo lead the high jumpers.

Lone Peak could also be in the 5A mix. Hurdler Chelsey Kaplar returns, along with middle distancer Lacey Cramer. Kacee Nildebrandt is also back at long distance, and high jumper Kristi Carpenter won the title at the coaches' meet

With the Dons and Bruins moved out of 4A, the title here is up for grabs, and Sky View should be in the mix led by sprinter Tiera Zaugg. Other 4A standouts so far have included Ashley Christensen and Mikenna Smith of Woods Cross, Payson's Melissa Baird, and Ally Dean of Bonneville. Orem's Krystal Harper is the leader in distance races.