Big regional showdown looms between Davis and Viewmont

As the Region 1 track and field championship draws closer, so does the anticipation of a stellar showdown between powerful Davis and defending league champion Viewmont. Both boys teams are loaded with talent, and both should be considered strong contenders at the state level.

For now, the Vikings are content to play possum with the favored Darts.

"Right now, if I had to call it ... Davis is the clear favorite," says Viewmont coach Cory Swenson. "We have a good kid in every event. The problem is they have three or four good kids in every event."

Waiting in the wings are Fremont and Weber, and both teams should put pressure on the league's elite. The Silver Wolves have a number of experienced runners to rely on, including hurdler Brent Jenkins, but Fremont coaches worry if the team has the confidence to beat Viewmont or Davis. Weber is probably a year away from putting up a serious challenge. The Warriors have several top athletes, but most of them are young and inexperienced.

On the girls side, look for a lot of gold jerseys to be in the winner's circle. When the region crowns its champions May 10, the Davis girls should be front and center for the celebration. Led by Candace Eddy and Natalie Haws, the three-time state champions seem to have all the depth and talent to win the region again. Fremont is well-rounded this year, relying on Jessie Chugg and Lindsey Spencer. Viewmont has state champion high jumper Ada Robinson back with an improved squad. Weber is also in position to finish in the top tier of the region as Natalee Bailey does it all for the Warriors.

DAVIS: This could be the best Darts team in a decade. Led by distance runner Jared Ward and thrower Bryce Hall, the Darts can go three deep in several events. Sprinters Shaun Webb, Ben Jacobson and Jake Van Weezep have been tough to beat in the hurdles this season. Jared Clouse is a point maker for the team in the 800 and 1,600 meters. High jumper Matt Daley and pole vaulter Taylor McKay provide good balance in these specialty events. The girls team has the fastest miler in the state in Candace Eddy. She's also the defending state champion in the mile and 2-mile. Natalie Haws is also one of the state's best distance runners and she will score points in both the 1,600 and 3,200 meters. Senior hurdler Camille Lott will be a big point maker for the Darts if she can recover from a leg injury. Thrower Allison Dunford and hurdler Brooke Jensen add depth to a team that has battled through injuries and illness.