The BYU High School Invitational is likely the biggest meet of the year. With nearly all the best competition from around the state converging in Provo, this year could be the best BYU invite ever. It comes just one weekend after Davis hosted their invitational that saw 4 State Records, a mark that would be hard to beat.
The meet got off to a fast start on Wednesday and Thursday with the Decathlon, steeple, and a new meet record in the Girls Heptathlon. Day 1 & 2 Recap
Boys 3200m Run- The action continues on Friday with what could be the most exciting event of the meet. 2013 is the deepest year Utah has had in the 3200m ever with Ben Saarel setting the fastest time ever run by a Utah Athlete, Jake Heslington Joining the sub 9 crew, Conner Mantz, and Jordan Cross both running very strong and in the low 9 minute range. There are also about 10 other athletes that could challenge for a win, just read the heat entries. Ben is ranked #1 in the nation and has looked unbeatable this season. But there is no way the rest of the field is going to give this to him. Prediction: I usually don’t make blunt predictions but this event is too exciting not to. Ben goes for the state record of 8:54, and in the process brings Mantz, Heslington, Cross, and a big pack with them. I predict Mantz or Heslington get the 4a record of 9:11 in the process.
Girls 3200m Run- On the girls side of things it will be nearly as stacked as the Boys. The only difference is that Sarah Feeny already has the state record so now she has the monkey off her back and can just go show her skills. She will be joined by Summer Harper, Emily Rich, the Park City Duo of Ali Walker and Alyssa Snyder, McKayla Morgan and more. Watch for the 3a girls to do battle again as Feeny, Walker, and Snyder match up for the first big in state meet of the season.
Javelin Boys 3A-5A- The Javelin is one of the deepest events in the state this year with 5 athletes on the girls and boys side of things ranked nationally. Austin Kafentzis holds the state record in 5a set last year and has missed it by inches this year. He will challenge it again on Friday. The Juab duo of Joshua Clark and Jeff Rowley will also challenge their own state record in the process.
Shot Put Boys 3A-5A- Lavontae Calhoun of Jordan Leads the state in the shot with Ben Bracken of Davis close behind. Miller Crawford of Riverton is also in the meet and this should simulate pretty well the state championship matchup we can expect in just a few weeks. They will be joined by Seth White of Skyview looking for a big mark as well.
High Jump Girls- Marissa Appiah of Woods Cross, Britten Duerden of Morgan, and Audrey Muir of Union are the top 3 in the event, and are also ranked nationally. It should be fun to see how high the girls push each other.
Javelin Girls 1A-2A- Anden Lyman set the 2a state record last weekend at SUU. She will see if she can improve on that mark again this weekend. Read more about her record here.
Discus Girls 3A-5A Megan Glasmann Leads the charge in this one with Kassie Nagel Close behind. Less than a foot separate the two this season.
Discus Boys 1A-2A- This one puts three athletes against eachother that are separated by only 9 inches. Adair, Hawkes and Brown are the top slated competitors.
Shot Put Boys 1A-2A- Daven Russell of Kanab is the top competitor in the boys 1A- 2A shotput and is entered with a mark of 48 feet 11.5 inches.
Long Jump Boys 3A-5A- Marcus Daley of Davis has jumped 22 feet 3.5 inches and leads a great group of jumpers, all of which in his heat have jumped over 21’6” this season.
Long Jump Boys 1A-2A- Brennan Thomas of Richfield has the top seed mark by a long shot at 21 feet 4.75 inches and if he comes close to this he will win going away.
Pole Vault Girls- The Bingham Duo of Sainsbury and Foster Lead the state in this event and will battle each other for the win in this event.