4A STATE BOYS: Canyon Springs’ record-breaking relay not enough to take title from McQueen boys
RENO — After losing to the North in seven of Friday’s nine events, Southern Nevada athletes rebounded on Day 2 of the Class 4A boys track and field championships at Damonte Ranch, claiming four of the seven individual events and both relays.
Canyon Springs’ 61 points finished second to McQueen as the Lancers surged to 65 points Saturday. Spanish Springs was third with 47 points and Centennial finished fourth with 45.
Faced with chilly conditions and a few snow flurries, Saturday saw the fall of multiple meet and stadium records, including both relay events.
Canyon Springs set a stadium record in the boy’s 800-meter relay, finishing in 1 minute, 28.37 seconds.
Pioneer senior Paul Woodward, who usually runs the opening leg for the Pioneers on relays, was pleased with the way the teams pulled together, netting two first-place finishes (400 and 800) and a second in the 1,600.
“This was the best we’ve run this year,” Woodward said. “We ran faster at Mount SAC but not in these conditions.”
Centennial set a state record in the 3,200 relay, winning in 7:53.94, breaking Elko’s 2007 record of 7:56.31. Nick Hartle ran the second leg and opened up a strong lead for the Bulldogs that was never seriously challenged. McQueen finished second in 8:01.69.
Valley’s Garic Wharton turned in another 4A double, adding a win in the 200 to Friday’s 100 title. Wharton, who has signed with Arizona, took the 200 in 21.44, more than half a second faster than second-place Daveon Collins of Canyon Springs (22.01).
The senior Viking finishes his high school career with five state championships, including four individual titles in the 100 and 200.
“(Wharton) is a true champion in all kinds of weather, hot or cold,” Valley coach Mark Salzman said. “He likes to compete and does a great job at that. I consider the way he has handled the pressure his greatest asset. It’s a shame the weather didn’t cooperate this weekend. He was set to run really fast.”
Elko’s Zach Stetler added to his shot put title with the boys discus crown, tossing the disc 181 feet, 6 inches — exactly 25 feet further than the second-place throw by Green Valley’s Allen Maddox.
Carson’s Richard Shroy, who won the 3200 on Friday, picked up where he left off with a 4:18.80 finish in the 1600, breaking the stadium record. Bryan Jordan of Galena (4:21.98) and Colin Smith of Del Sol (4:28.98) finished a distant second and third, respectively. Wade Meddles of Sierra Lutheran turned in the fastest 1600 time of the day, pumping out a season-high 4:16.88 during the 1A meet.
