REGION TRACK: Centennial boys, girls take aim at region titles

Centennial’s track teams dominated the Sunset Region meets last year, with the boys winning by 60 points and the girls by 106.

Posting such a wide margin of victory again might be a tall task.

But it wouldn’t be a surprise, either.

“I believe both teams are just as strong, if not stronger, than last year’s teams,” Centennial coach Roy Sessions said.

The Sunset and Sunrise Region meets begin at 3 p.m. today at Silverado. Finals in all field events, as well as the 3,200-meter run and 3,200 relay, will take place today and Friday, along with preliminary rounds in the other events.

Finals in the remainder of the running events will be May 11.

“Some of our young kids have really stepped up in some places we needed them to; it allows us to move the kids around,” Sessions said. “Also, Sydney Badger is having the kind of season we were hoping for, running really well. Jackson Carter has been a big surprise on the boys side since this is his first year running track.”

Then there’s Nick Hartle.

As a junior last year, Hartle won the 800 and 1,600 at state, shattering records in both. This year, the UCLA signee is ranked No. 3 in the nation in the 800 by dyestat.com and has the top time on the Southern Nevada honor roll in the 400, 800, 1,600 and 3,200.

“Nick will have a full plate again this year,” Sessions said. “He would like to go out with a track team state title. And, yes, one of his main goals is to go after the 3,200 state record.”

Last year, Hartle bypassed the 3,200 at state so he could run on two relay teams.

Still, Sessions, the third-year coach, expects plenty of competition from the Bulldogs’ side of the valley.

“Arbor View, Palo (Verde) and (Bishop) Gorman have some really good teams that can give us a solid challenge,” Sessions said.

While 106 points might seem like a wide margin, consider what Centennial’s girls bring into the region meet.

The Bulldogs have the top Sunset mark on the honor roll in every running event, led by Badger in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200. Centennial also has the best mark in the high jump and long jump.

In the Sunrise Region, the competition should be tighter, but Canyon Springs’ boys and girls should be favored, according to John Dixon, the meet’s competition director.

“Both teams are especially strong in the sprints and relays,” Dixon said.

Donnel Pumphrey, Isaiah Charles and Diamonte Luna lead the Pioneers boys. The girls team features Southern Nevada’s top hurdler in Courtney Robinson; Mandy Chitwood, a top Sunrise 400 and 800 runner; and sprinters Quinisha Hicks, Bridget Payton and Mia Russell.

Silverado’s boys, the defending state champions, feature depth and figure to give the Pioneers a run for the title.

Coronado’s girls also could challenge for the region title, led by Sara Dort, who tops the Sunrise honor roll in all three distance races.