Prep track and field: Records fall at Dixie Invitational

Written by Bob Hudson
April 23, 2016
Dixie Invitational, Track and Field, St. George, Utah, Apr. 23, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Desert Hills boys won six events and used their depth to win the Dixie Invitational track meet on Saturday. The Thunder finished with 144 points to 61 for Dixie and 59 for Richfield.

Spanish Fork had 57 ½ points and Cedar was fifth with 57. Fifteen teams participated.

Boys 100 meter dash, Dixie Invitational, Track and Field, St. George, Utah, Apr. 23, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Boys 100 meter dash, Dixie Invitational, Track and Field, St. George, Utah, Apr. 23, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

“The thing I really liked is our seniors stepped up,” said Desert Hills coach Dace Goulding. “Another impressive thing was we had four athletes in the 110-meter hurdle finals and four of the top eight in the shot put.”

Garrick Sharp won the 100 for the Thunder while Zak Fuchs (coming off a broken leg near the end of the football season) won the 300-meter hurdles, Bradley Earl won the 200 and Chanse Riding won the discus. The 4×100-meter and 4×400-meter relay teams also won championships.

Cedar City claimed the girls’ title with 115 points while Box Elder finished with 104 points and Desert Hills had 87. Richfield was fourth with 58 and Dixie had 51.

Desert Hills' Elly Williams wins the girls shot put, Dixie Invitational, Track and Field, St. George, Utah, Apr. 23, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Desert Hills’ Elly Williams wins the girls shot put, Dixie Invitational, Track and Field, St. George, Utah, Apr. 23, 2016, | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

The Lady Reds shook up their lineup and used their depth to claim the victory, riding three first places and their depth to the victory. Winners included Reagan Hulet in the discus and the medley relay and 4×400-meter relay teams.

In addition to the Desert Hills boys already credited with wins, southern Utah champions included Brandon Robinson of Parowan in the long jump, Austin Carter of Beaver in the shot put, Ike Urquhart of Dixie in the 800 and Hurricane’s medley relay team. Josh Thomas of Richfield won both hurdle events and the high jump.

Girls winners included Laynee Wells of Desert Hills in the 1600, Whittni Orton of Panguitch in the 3200, Starlee Woodbury of Dixie in the 100-meter hurdles, Brooklyn Lott of Desert Hills in the the 400 (setting a new school record along the way), the Thunder’s Kaylee Carter in the 300 hurdles, Desert Hills’ Elly Williams in the shot put and Shelby Lyman of Enterprise in the javelin.

Jaslyn Gardner of Enterprise again won the 100 and 200, keeping her unbeaten streak going this season.

“I just want to improve my times,” Gardner said of her goal for the remainder of the season. “I’ve learned to work harder against bigger schools. Weights have been helping me.”

Gardner was a two-time state champion last season.

Although his team finished third despite four first-place finishes, Desert Hills girls coach Logan Fielding said, “We’ve been really happy with how our girls have performed.” He noted that Elly Williams and Brooklyn Lott each broke school records.

Next weekend, most Southern Utah teams will be at the Snow Canyon Invitational.

Complete results are at www.runnercard.com.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @oldschoolag

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2016, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bob Hudson is a graduate of Brigham Young University. He has been a sportswriter in central and southern Utah and Southeast Idaho. He has also worked as a news editor and managing editor. He has lived in St. George since 2000.

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