Breaking Down Utah’s Top Boys Returners For 2026

100 Meter Dash 

1. Gavin Hurst (Layton | Class of 2026) - 10.57

2. Jaden Heap (Juab | Class of 2026) - 10.62

3. Davis DeGroot (Bonneville | Class of 2026) - 10.69

Takeaway: With three seniors separated by just 0.12 seconds, the 100m is shaping up to be one of the tightest title races in the state, where the smallest execution detail could decide everything.

200 Meter Dash

1. Davis DeGroot (Bonneville | Class of 2026) - 21.16

2. Jaden Heap (Juab | Class of 2026) - 21.17

3. Kaden Fairbanks (American Fork | Class of 2026) - 21.52

Takeaway: The top two returners are separated by just 0.01, making the 200 arguably Utah's most razor-thin sprint battle heading into the season.

400 Meter Dash 

1. Davis DeGroot (Bonneville | Class of 2026) - 46.11

2. Jordan Jensen (Viewmont | Class of 2026) - 48.14

3. Tyson Pugmire (Maple Mountain | Class of 2026) - 48.17

Takeaway: DeGroot's 46.11 clearly stands out, but the battle behind him is closely packed, making for one of the most competitive duel on the track.

800 Meter Run

1. Austin Plewe (Pleasant Grove | Class of 2026) - 1:50.60

2. Jackson Spencer (Herriman | Class of 2026) - 1:52.23

3. Peter Mecham (Orem | Class of 2026) - 1:52.53

Takeaway: With a 1:50 returner leading and two more proven low-1:52 athletes behind, the 800 meters looks like a top-tier, tactical championship race.

1600 Meter Run

1. Jackson Spencer (Herriman | Class of 2026) - 4:00.97

2. Austin Plewe (Unattached - UT | Class of 2026) - 4:07.24

3. Aidan Neal (Alta | Class of 2026) - 4:07.41

Takeaway: Spencer's 4-flat separates him nationally, but the depth behind him suggests Utah's 1600 will still demand fast times to win.

3200 Meter Run

1. Jackson Spencer (Herriman | Class of 2026) - 8:51.26

2. Aidan Neal (Alta | Class of 2026) - 9:08.46

3. Austin Plewe (American Fork | Class of 2026) - 9:10.04

Takeaway: An 8:51 leader raises the standard, but the presence of several sub-9:10 returners makes this one of the state's top distance events.

110 Meter Hurdles

1. Joshua Hamblin (Weber | Class of 2026) - 13.90

2. Demetrius Taylor (East | Class of 2027) - 14.03

3. Dylan Dye (Orem | Class of 2026) - 14.57

Takeaway: A sub-14 returner provides elite-level firepower to the event, and with experienced athletes supporting him, the hurdles continue to be one of Utah's most refined technical races.

300 Meter Hurdles

1. Joshua Hamblin (Weber | Class of 2026) - 37.29

2. Isaac Strong (Orem | Class of 2026) - 38.37

3. Demetrius Taylor (East | Class of 2027) - 38.66

Takeaway: With three returners under 39 seconds, the 300 hurdles look deep and dangerous, where rhythm and endurance will separate contenders late.

Shot Put

1. Jace Cook (Syracuse | Class of 2027) - 63-7

2. Matthew Bryant (Lone Peak | Class of 2026) - 63-3.5

3. Kingston Bailey (Dixie | Class of 2026) - 58-2.25

Takeaway: Two 63-foot returners immediately establish shot put as one of the top power events in the state, with real head-to-head competition at the highest level.

Discus

1. Matthew Bryant (Lone Peak | Class of 2026) - 198-9

2. Jon Barker (Davis | Class of 2027) - 172-10

3. Benjamin Asay (Layton | Class of 2026) - 161-10.25

Takeaway: A near-200-foot leader raises the ceiling of the event, while a strong returning group behind him keeps the discus competitive statewide.

Javelin

1. Bristol Woods (Dixie | Class of 2026) - 193-6.75

2. Kobe Driggs (Delta | Class of 2026) - 177-7

3. Tripp Palmer (San Juan | Class of 2026) - 175-6

Takeaway: With three returners over 175 feet and a 190-foot thrower returning, javelin has both top-end strength and genuine depth entering the season.

Long Jump

1. Davis DeGroot (Bonneville | Class of 2026) - 24-1.25

2. Eli Connelly (Crimson Cliffs | Class of 2026) - 23-10.25

3. Makai So'o (Northridge | Class of 2026) - 23-3.5

Takeaway: A 24-foot returner leads a field where several athletes are within striking distance, making the long jump one of the most explosive events on the schedule.

High Jump

1. Eli Connelly (Crimson Cliffs | Class of 2026) - 7-0

2. Tripp Palmer (San Juan | Class of 2026) - 6-9

3. Kenny Whitmer (Morgan | Class of 2026) - 6-7

Takeaway: A returning 7-footer raises the championship bar, demanding consistency and big-meet composure to meet it.

Pole Vault

1. Brennan Powell (Timpanogos | Class of 2027) - 13-9

2. Bronson Miller (American Fork | Class of 2027) - 13-6

3. Joshua Conlin (Davis | Class of 2027) - 12-6