Utah State Track & Field Championships
May 15, 2009 - May 16, 2009 @ Brigham Young University in Provo, UT
Hosted by Brigham Young University Timing/Results: Runnercard.com 
Official Meet Web Site
Vindication for Kipp
Following the friday 5A girls 1600 meter championship a clamor filled the stadium regarding Skyline senior Shalaya Kipp's stunning victory over defending state champion Candace Eddy. In a race that will go down as an epic battle of two of Utah's great distance runners Kipp narrowly edged Eddy at the line winning her first track & field championship by .88 tenths of a second.
Shalaya Kipp, best know for bursting onto the scene at the 2006 UHSAA Cross Country State Championship claiming the cross title as a sophomore. In that race Kipp unyeilded a ferocious final sprint closing a 30 meter gap in the final 150 meters to defeat the undefeated senior from Bingham Kim Quinn by .2 tenths of a second. The following year Shalaya again produced an epic final push against the senior from Davis Natalie Haws losing in the final lean by .4 tenths of a second to claim runner-up. Kipp quickly became known as a lethal sprinter in the closing stages races and a feared competitor among distance athletes throughout the state.
Entering her senior season Shalaya Kipp had her sights set on reestablishing herself as state cross champion. After an epic dual with frosh phenom Danielle Menlove throughout the regular season competition Kipp entered the 2008 State XC Championships with one goal in mind, a state championship victory. The race proved to be one for the ages as Menlove and Kipp battled back and forth until the line with Kipp finishing runner-up in an impressive 17:51 over the heralded 5000 meter sugarhouse state championship course. Her time would go down as the third fastest performance in state championship history ranking up there with the legendary Laura Zeigle of Bingham. But trouble was a brew...
Controversy
In what may go down as the most controversial decision in Utah State Championship history UHSAA officials ruled that Kipp had violated the state uniform policy. Shalaya had simply rolled the waistband of her shorts down with one fold thus altering the waistband. As a result, the decision was made to disqualify Shalaya based upon an article of clothing violation. As absurd as the decision has seemed state officials wiped Kipp's performance from the record books. Not only has it been regarded as a blatant misuse of power but many within the running community have felt the UHSAA went to far in invalidating one of the great individual performances in Utah State history.
Resiliancey Wins the Day: DQ did not crush Kipp
Entering the 2009 UHSAA State Track & Field Championships there was not an official that could stop the determination of Kipp. Kipp channeled her emotion and displayed one of the truly inspiring moments of the 2009 season and recent memory. After enduring a grueling battle with defending state champion Eddy in the mile Kipp set her sights on the holy grail of Utah distance running, the 3200 meter championship. It was Shalaya who broke Eddy in the final stages of the race to claim victory in an impressive 10:55.
After six long months of preparation and training Shalaya Kipp left the State Championships with two individual championships. The double victor received what many have seen as vindication for a decision gone awry. Displaying individual courage and determination beyond her years Kipp completed her quest victorious. In the end, Kipp let her actions do her talking putting the state on notice that once again the road to individual glory (state championship) runs through Shalaya Kipp.
Kipp is expected to compete for Colorado and will represent Utah well.
Day Two Results
| Boys Division Champs | Girls Division Champs |
| 5A: Davis | 5A: Riverton |
| 4A: Timpview | 4A: Skyview |
| 3A: Hurricane | 3A: Ogden |
| 2A: Richfield | 2A: North Summit |
| 1A: Rich | 1A: Saint Joseph |
Complete Team & Individual Results (www.runnercard.com)
Summary:
· Tyrell Yardley completes the distance triple with a 10.75 100m, 21.45 200m, and 47.46 400m. It was Yardley's 21.15 200m in prelims on Friday that shocked Utah and set the stage for a historic triple.
· In a surprise upset, the davis girls are upset for the girls team title by Riverton.
· In the distances, Trac Norris of Panguitch again left most perplexed with a solo 1:54 800m effort in the 1A division easily establishing himself as the male distance athlete of the meet.
· In other action Delta senior Brayden Brunson confirmed pre-meet prognosticators with a superb 21.72 effort to claim the 3A 200m state championship.
· Macee Nielson runs 11:04.01 3200m winning by over 46 seconds to add to her 5:16.96 1600m blowout.
· Seth Gutzwiller of Davis avenges early season losses to claim the 5A 3200m crown with an impressive 9:29.10 for 1st individual track state championship adding to his 2008 5A State Cross Country Championship.
· Bingham & Davis boys duel in an epic 4x100m relay with the miners coming out victors with a 41.68 to the darts 41.89.
· Aubrie Haymore claims 200m crown in 24.8 to add to her 400m (55.81) and 100m (12.02) victories. Haymore was instrumental in Riverton's upset of the defending state champion davis darts. Haymore also was a part of the Riverton 4x400m relay victory.
Day One Results
As the opening of the 2009 Utah State Championships ensued many qualifying events took place setting the stage for day 2 finals. But it
was the 1600 meter finals that sent buzz through the air. Trac Norris, a panguitch senior, blasted the 1A 1600m field with a top time 4:19.38. Without the aid of any competition Norris set an early blistering pace and never looked back. While 3A, 4A, and 5A powerhouses edged close and competitive battles for top times it was Norris who stole the show with the top performance of day one.