Grand County just might be number one in the state in scenery. It looks as if they're aiming for number one in the state in track and field, as well.
Let's be clear about this. The 2A boys state title is anything but decided at this point. But, if you had to name a team in the driver's seat right now, you'd probably name Grand County.
There's good reason for that. Grand County figures to score in just about every event at the state meet. That kind of breadth of point production is very tough to overcome. Key figures for the Devils include sprinter/long jumper Wesley Rodda, distance ace Jacob Francis, and hurdler Andy Bathemess. The unique strength of the Grand County team, however, lies in the throws. Between Kevin Ballard, Spencer Smith, and Tyler Rockwell, Grand County figures nail down some serious points at the state meet.
Can the Devils be caught? If so, it will be a major undertaking, and it would most likely be done from somewhere in southern Utah.
Teams with a chance at making a serious run at the state title include Manti, Richfield, Parowan, and Enterprise. Thrower Christian Boorman anchors the Manti hopes. Richfield will lean on guys like high jumper Brenan Thomas. Parowan will be counting on a huge contribution from Ammon Blauer at every event from 400 meters on up, as well as from pole vaulter Sean Halterman. Enterprise will look to sprinter Sage Palmer. All four teams will be scrambling to piece together the kind of depth that serves Grand County so nicely.
Most of the hopefuls for the team title take their turn at hosting meets. And these meets should bring at least most of the contending teams together. Look for little previews of the state meet action when these invitationals take place across the southern half of the state.
2011 UT HS M Outdoor Track Team Scores (Returners Only)
Calculated as of March 03, 2012
These rankings were calculated by scoring the rankings as a meet.We took the individual rankings only and scored them as a normal meet: 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.
Athletes whose graduation years are unknown were left out of the list.
| 1. | Grand County | 97 |
| Andy Bathemess (300H 10 = 10) | ||
| Jacob Francis (1600m 8 + 3200m 8 + 800m 5 = 21) | ||
| Kevin Ballard (110H 4 + D 8 + LJ 2 + S 4 = 18) | ||
| Spencer Smith (D 1 + S 8 = 9) | ||
| Treyton Helquist (3200m 1 = 1) | ||
| Tyler Hugentobler (800m 2 = 2) | ||
| Tyler Rockwell (D 6 = 6) | ||
| Wesley Rodda (100m 8 + 200m 10 + LJ 10 = 28) | ||
| Zak Hazlett (400m 2 = 2) | ||
| 2. | Manti | 57.67 |
| Austin Jackson (400m 5 = 5) | ||
| Chris Lauti (D 2 + S 3 = 5) | ||
| Christian Boorman (D 10 + S 10 = 20) | ||
| Jason Cole (HJ 6.33 = 6.33) | ||
| Joe Creery (HJ 6.33 + J 1 + LJ 5 = 12.33) | ||
| Nathan Adair (D 5 = 5) | ||
| Taylor Coburn (J 4 = 4) | ||
| 3. | Richfield | 56 |
| Brenan Thomas (HJ 10 = 10) | ||
| Burton Griffin (800m 8 + J 3 = 11) | ||
| Caleb Monsen (3200m 2 = 2) | ||
| Colton Brown (LJ 3 = 3) | ||
| Derrick Sorensen (100m 3 = 3) | ||
| Jazz Peppelaar (100m 6 + 200m 5 = 11) | ||
| Micah Mason (200m 4 + 400m 8 = 12) | ||
| Tyrone Hink (300H 4 = 4) | ||
| 4. | Parowan | 53 |
| Ammon Blauer (1600m 10 + 3200m 6 + 400m 10 + 800m 10 = 36) | ||
| Garrett Robinson (110H 3 + 300H 1 = 4) | ||
| Jaylund Hammonds (400m 3 = 3) | ||
| Sean Halterman (PV 10 = 10) | ||
| 5. | Enterprise | 47 |
| Brett Schill (D 3 + J 2 + S 2 = 7) | ||
| Dustin Delahoussaye (LJ 8 = 8) | ||
| Jacob Clark (400m 1 = 1) | ||
| Kendrick Stahelil (1600m 4 + 800m 1 = 5) | ||
| Sage Palmer (100m 10 + 200m 8 + J 8 = 26) | ||
| 6. | Kanab | 29 |
| Daven Russell (S 1 = 1) | ||
| Jared Southwick (110H 5 = 5) | ||
| Josh Urianza (LJ 1 = 1) | ||
| Tyler Glover (110H 8 = 8) | ||
| Yanni Gallagher (1600m 6 + 3200m 4 + 800m 4 = 14) | ||
| 7. | North Summit | 25 |
| Braden Brown (200m 1 = 1) | ||
| Donovan Robertson (200m 2 + 400m 6 + PV 8 = 16) | ||
| Frank Buchanan (S 5 = 5) | ||
| Ryan Hicks (300H 2 = 2) | ||
| Zach Simpkins (110H 1 = 1) | ||
| 7. | San Juan | 25 |
| Ammon Mitchell (110H 10 + 300H 3 + LJ 6 = 19) | ||
| Jade Grover (1600m 1 + 3200m 5 = 6) | ||
| 9. | Emery | 23 |
| Brendon Jorgensen (110H 6 + 300H 8 + LJ 4 = 18) | ||
| Lucas Vanskyhawk (J 5 = 5) | ||
| 10. | Rowland Hall-St. Marks | 21 |
| Andy Gilbert (1600m 2 + 800m 6 = 8) | ||
| Cameron Galt (400m 4 = 4) | ||
| John Gilbert (1600m 3 + 800m 3 = 6) | ||
| Ryan Westermann (3200m 3 = 3) | ||
| 11. | Millard | 19 |
| Dallin Shields (HJ 4 = 4) | ||
| Easton Richardson (1600m 5 + 3200m 10 = 15) | ||
| 12. | Gunnison Valley | 17 |
| Colton Caldwell (J 10 = 10) | ||
| Kaelob Miller (110H 2 + 300H 5 = 7) | ||
| 12. | Wasatch Academy | 17 |
| Justin Kwon (100m 5 + 200m 6 + 300H 6 = 17) | ||
| 14. | South Summit | 13.33 |
| Keyton Gines (100m 4 + 200m 3 = 7) | ||
| Taylor Anderton (HJ 6.33 = 6.33) | ||
| 15. | South Sevier | 10 |
| Joey Leavitt (D 4 + S 6 = 10) | ||
| 16. | Beaver | 6 |
| Kendell White (J 6 = 6) |