Dons, Bruins anxious to compete

PROVO — Perhaps the biggest story coming out of last year's state high school track and field championships was how Spanish Fork won the 4A girls team title over perennial power Mountain View. Now, both schools have jumped up a classification to 5A and will have to contend with defending champ Davis when titles are awarded this weekend at BYU. And that team race should be fun to watch.

The annual season finale begins Friday in Provo with finals in the 1,600 meters starting at 7:30 a.m. For two days, athletes from more than 110 Utah schools will compete in all five classifications. Here's a brief look at some of the favorites:

CLASS 5A: Davis High won both team titles last year and could do it again this weekend. The boys team lost to Viewmont in this year's Region 1 meet, and the Vikes, who took second to Davis last year, could be the biggest challenger. Bryce Hall, Spencer Hall and Alex Hill give Davis lots of points in field events, and Jared Ward paces the distance runners. Viewmont high jumper Ryker Morgan, distance standout Kyle McKenna, hurdler Zach Nyborg and sprinter Marshall Milligan are among the best in the state.

Region 2 champ Alta will be tough, paced by hurdler Dan Seethaler, sprinters Matt Frogley and Sausin Shakerin, field standout Dave Adams, long jumper Boston Walbeck and javelin throwers Steve Bowen, Jordan Middlesworth and Chris Tucker. Bingham won the Region 3 title and comes in with standouts in sprinters Brooks Measom and Dan Workman, distance runner Chris Sorensen and hurdler Zach Cook, as well as strong relay teams.

Mountain View is led by distance runner Adam McDonald along with teammates Derek Zabriskie and Coulson Goodwin. Others to watch in the boys' competition are Ryan Jones, Travis Krebs and Brent Jenkins of Fremont; Allen Beck and Matt Revelli of Lone Peak; Ryan Scott of Copper Hills; Geoff Harmon of American Fork; Clay Ostberg of Kearns; Javier Sanchez and Jaymin Vickers of Riverton; Skyline sprinter Chase Pendley, and middle distance runners Ben Bradshaw and Connor Kamm; Aaron Clements of Taylorsville; and David Kamaroff of Hillcrest.

Perhaps no finer overall competition in Provo will match the 5A girls, where the Spanish Fork Stewart sisters — Diane, Natalie and Nachelle — will take on the Davis contingent of Ashlee Cannon in hurdles, Alayna Ferrin in field events and premiere distance runner Candace Eddy. It could be a classic battle between two great teams.