Cibola senior Bernie Montoya (in white) ends his high school career with three state track records in distance running.
Photo by Jason Skoda
shook
Devon Allen's hand as they crossed paths at the award podium at Saturday's Arizona state track meet.
No one was really in earshot of the two phenoms when it happened, but while they were at it they could have made plans to one day meet back up when they are eventually inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame.
The end of their high school careers were a major part of the highlight from the weekend of action.
Montoya won the 800 meters on Saturday with a state record time of 1 minute, 50.19 seconds, besting the mark (1:31.33) set in 2008 by Desert Vista's John Kline. It gave the
Cibola (Yuma) distance runner his third state record in track to go along with the 3,200 (8:47.07) and the mile (4:01.32), while ranking second in the 1,600.
The Arizona State recruit is heading to New York for the adidas Dream Mile on May 25 with hopes of finishing off his career in style.
"We are getting better each week," he said. "New York is going to be the big race. Everyone says it is going to be a stacked field. I loved what I did (at state) and I am excited for New York."
Allen was challenged on Saturday and his final kick let him go out the champion he has been the last two years. The
Brophy College Prep (Phoenix) senior was defeated in the 100 by
Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) sophomore
Paul Lucas and Allen, who was slowed early in the year by an ankle injury sustained in football, said he wasn't going to let it end that way when they lined up in the 200 later in the day.
Allen edged Lucas, who also won the 400, with a time of 20.98 to finish a fantastic career that has him owning the state records in the 110 hurdles (13.50) and 300 hurdles (36.39) while ranking fourth in the 400 (20.98) and seventh in the 100 (10.49).
"I didn't want to get second place again," Allen said.
There were plenty of other stars including Lucas, who clocked the fifth-fastest time (10.44) in state history.
Dylan Fischer of
Desert Vista (Phoenix) won the shot put and discus, Desert Vista's Dani Jones won the 800, 1,600 and finished second in the 3,200 and
Horizon (Scottsdale) senior pole vaulter
Grant Sisserson was one of five athletes to clear at least 16 feet with a winning effort of 17-00.
The other Division I star was
Chandler junior
Ky Westbrook, who set the state record in the shot put with an effort of 47-9 and the 200 dash in 23.39 while winning the 100 in 11.45 (third-best in state history).
"I felt like I had to come back," she said after not recording the time she wanted in the 100. "It's not like the 100 wasn't good, but I really wanted to do better. I feel like I got a really good start and I came off the turn really fast. But then I died. I didn't think I was going to get it. Oh, man, I died, but I just pushed through it."
Here is a look back at some of the results from the weekend.
Division I team champions: Brophy (boys), Chandler (girls)
Division I multi-event winners: Paul Lucas (Mountain Pointe, 100, 400), Devon Allen (Brophy, 200, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles), Dylan Fischer (Desert Vista shot put, discus), Bernie Montoya (Cibola, 800, 1600, 3200),
Corona del Sol (Tempe) boys (4x400, 4x800), Ky Westbrook (Chandler 100, 200, shot put),
Dani Jones (Desert Vista 800, 1600), Chandler girls (4x100, 4x400).
Division II team champions: Kellis (Glendale, Ariz.) (boys),
Salpointe Catholic (Tucson) (girls)
Division II multi-event winners: Jelani Brice-Moore (Verrado, 100, 400);
Andrew Garcia (Canyon del Oro, 1600, 3200),
Deddrick Harris (Queen Creek, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles),
Michaela Crunkleton-Wilson (Salpointe Catholic, 100, 200, 400),
Tatiana Gillick (Flagstaff, 1600, 3200),
Alyssa Thompson (Salpointe Catholic, 100 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump, triple jump).
Division III team champions: Williams Field (Gilbert) (boys),
Mingus (Cottonwood) (girls)
Division III multi-event winners: Tristan DaCosta (Higley, 100, 200, 400),
Jacob Moore (Sedona Red Rock, shot put, discus),
Morgan Chilson (Payson, 100, 200),
Heather Calandra (Mingus, shot put, discus).
Division IV team champions: Arizona Lutheran Academy (Phoenix) (boys),
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (Tucson) (girls)
Division IV multi-event winners: Jerardo Samarripas (Joy Christian, 100, 200),
Josh Hoskinson (Arizona Lutheran, 1600, 3200),
Wayne Newman (San Manuel, 110 hurdles, 300 hurdles, long jump),
Savannah Brown (St. Johns, 100, 200, 400, long jump),
Sarah Macdonald (Pusch Ridge, 1600, 3200),
Samantha Weeman (200, 300 hurdles),
Scottsdale Preparatory Academy girls (4x400, 4x800).
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Ahwatukee Foothills News staff writer, is an 18-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com or 480-272-2449.
