STATE GIRLS: Warriors ride Tyler’s coattails

With a strong breeze in her face, Western junior Tierra Tyler caught her second wind and blew away the competition. She spent the weekend chasing perfection, and she found it.

Tyler emerged as one of the brightest stars at the state track championships, blazing a trail to the Warriors’ first girls title since 1984.

“I’m so excited,” said Tyler, a four-time winner in the two-day event at Del Sol.

Tyler retained her Class 4A state championship in the 100 on Saturday by winning in a time of 12.19 seconds. She was eyeing a state record, but the elements held her back.

“The wind was really strong. I knew it was going to be a little harder,” she said. “It was hard for me to push the way I wanted to push.

“I didn’t really get out the way I wanted to get out. I kind of got out slow. This is the first time I ever ran against a wind like this at a real track meet.”

The Warriors ran away with the title by scoring 88 points, 30 more than second-place Centennial. Michaelanne Laurent won two events for third-place Coronado (41½).

Centennial junior Tatijana Davis won the triple jump with a mark of 37 feet, 0¼ inches.

Ansherae Devine did her part for Western, as the senior won the 800-meter run in 2:11.82.

Devine, Unique Conner, Antionette Garrett and Megan Keys carried the Warriors to a win in the 1600-meter relay.

“It feels really good to win,” Devine said. “It means a lot because every year we never make it. We have a really small team, but we do the best with it we can. Everybody really stepped up and did their best.”

Sophomore Joi Goynes won four events, including two relays, to lead Faith Lutheran to the 3A state title. The Crusaders scored 136½ points to edge Spring Creek at 127½.

Goynes, who won the 200-meter dash Friday, took Saturday’s 100-meter dash in 12.85 seconds. She was surprised at her feat because she outran Dayton’s Erika Garcia, the defending champ who finished fourth.

“I’m very happy. I thought Garcia was going to win,” Goynes said. “It was just the challenge that she gave me pushed me harder.”

Faith Lutheran’s effort was helped by senior Keely Bakken, who won the 3200-meter run in 12:07.78.

Incline claimed the 2A title with 119 points, ahead of Whittell (112) and The Meadows (85½).

Wells edged Smith Valley 67-66 to win the 1A championship.