Carlos Villareal of Rio Rico will be part of a contingent of Arizona track and field athletes headed to the Arcadia Invitational in California.
Photo by Kevin Abele
It used to be that Arizona's impact on the Arcadia Invitational was minimal.
There used to be a few individuals who would make the trip over the California state line and possibly find the podium while the rest of the west track and field powers dominated.
Things started to change when
Brophy College Prep (Phoenix) made a point about 10 years ago to make Arcadia a focal point of its schedule, and once the Broncos had some success, other Arizona programs followed suit.
This year, Arizona will have 16 programs making the trip to the Los Angeles area at Arcadia High and there will be plenty of individuals and relay teams competing for top honors. And that's not easy at the 48th annual Arcadia Invite.
The meet has produced 25 national records while an amazing 152 meet alumni have gone on to represent the United States in Olympic Games competition.
Paul Lucas, Mountain Pointe
Photo by Kevin Abele
"Arizona never had a big presence until 2007 when (Brophy) started bringing people every year," said former Brophy assistant and current
Mountain Pointe (Phoenix) coach Tim O'Neil. "We did well and everyone started to buy in and made it a tradition."
Then Devon Allen won five golds as a junior in 2012 at a meet where winning three is considered rare.
There might not be an Allen in the crowd this year – at least with Mountain Pointe's
Paul Lucas still dealing with hamstring issues – but Arizona will be well-represented.
Desert Vista (Phoenix) distance runner
Danielle Jones,
Page distance runner
Jeffery Miller, Brophy hurdler
Isaiah Oliver,
Rio Rico distance runner
Carlos Villarreal and pole vaulters
Nicole Baker of
Highland (Gilbert) and
Vanessa Davis of
Desert Vista (Phoenix) all have competed nationally and put up times or heights that either broke their personal records or registered on the national best list for 2015.
"Heading out there has really helped Arizona as a whole," O'Neil said. "I can't believe you can find a better high school setting than Arcadia. It's a completely different animal when you are competing nationally.
"I think it has helped a ton and there is more parity in our high schools now."
Lucas said he is frustrated that he is heading to Arcadia less than 100 percent and figures he will never feel right this season. He is scheduled to compete in the 100 meter dash, the long jump and with a couple of relays.
"I'll probably never get to where I want to be, but I am still competing and winning," he said. "People keep telling me I'm not beating my times from last year and I don't know if I will."
Jason P. Skoda, a former Arizona Republic and current Prep Sports Director for 1013 Communications, is a 20-year sports writing veteran. Contact him at jskoda1024@aol.com.
