Carson's Greg Wallace competes in the high jump at an early season meet at the Jim Frank Track and Field Complex this past March.
More than 20 track programs from all four classifications around Northern Nevada meet Saturday on the Jim Frank Track and Field Complex for the annual Carson Invitational.
Field events begin at 9 a.m., and running events get underway at 9:30.
Elko and Spring Creek are competing for the first time, and CHS coach Robert Maw said there are many 1A and 2A schools in the field. He attributed that to the fact Carson figures to be the permanent host for regional track in the north.
“I would be doing the same thing if I had a chance to compete where the regional meet was,” Maw said earlier this week. “It’s a good opportunity for people to get acquainted with our track, and the conditions they might face.”
Maw said the Carson meet is running against some top-notch meets in California this weekend, thus no California teams are entered this year. He does have some pretty good talent.
Perhaps the biggest name in the field is Dayton’s J.J. Ply, who has gone 6-10 in the high jump twice this year, and is favored in the high jump again. Ply is also the top seed in the hurdles with a 14.94. He’s seeded 10th in the 1600 with a 4:54.36. He’s also seeded 10th in the pole vault with a 11-3 3/4.
Ply is coming off a sensational performance in the decathlon at the Mt. SAC Relays where he finished with more than 6,300 points en route to second place.
Another top performer is Elko’s distance specialist Alex Klekas, who’s seeded first in both the 1600 and 3200.
Also keep an eye on Reed’s Jorge Moreno in the 110 hurdles (15.11) and the 300 hurdles (40.25). Douglas standout John Munyan is seeded first in the 800 (2:01.67) and second in the 1600 (4:33.44). Teammate Dawson Coman is ranked first in the 100 (11.29) and third in the 200 (22.98). The Tigers’ Logan Kyle has cleared 14 feet in the pole vault. Damonte Ranch’s Adonis Williams is favored in the shot put with a best of 56-3 and the discus 166-9.
On the girls’ side, Carson’s Abigail Pradere is favored in the 1600 (5:14.33) and the 800 (2:15.45). She’s also one of the fastest in the region in the 400.
South Tahoe’s Maya Brosch is an overwhelming favorite in both hurdle events with times of 15.49 and 44.37. Spanish Springs’ Jessica Ozoude is favored in the 100 with a best of 12.34, the 400 at 57.60, the long jump at 17-7 and the 200 at 25.43. Spanish Springs’ Alexis Melendez is seeded first in the 3200 (11:43.89) and second to Pradere in the 1600 (5:23.04). Dayton’s Rebecca Mason is seeded third in the high jump with a best of 5-feet.
Outlook for Carson
The news isn’t great, however, for Carson entering the meet. Dylan Mayo, the team’s top long jumper, triple jumper and a threat in the 300 hurdles, will be out of action for a while. He suffered an ankle injury in a recent meet, and that will cost the Senators some points.
“Hopefully we will have him back for regionals,” Maw said. “It really hurts us in the jumps and the 300 hurdles.”
The Senators will be counting heavily on Harry Meyer in both hurdle events (16.28 and 43.30), and he will undoubtedly also will run in a relay event.
Maw also is counting on solid performances from Greg Wallace (high jump) and Ben Granados (sprints, relays). Carson’s best chances may come in the various relays.
Besides Pradere, the CHS girls are relying on Abbey Paulson (jumps, relays), Anya Woodbury (jumps), Azlynn McFadden (shot, discus), Ashley Britt (hurdles), Ku’ulei Haupu (high jump, long jump) and Gabriella Fernandez (distance). Fernandez is seeded sixth in the 1600 (5:31.95).
“I think Abbey will do well in the triple jump (34-4 1/2),” Maw said. “The same with Anya (33-10). They have progressed the last four weeks. Ku’ulei has been doing well in the high jump. Her best is 4-10 right now, but I think she can get to 5-2. McFadden is seeded fifth in the discus (113-9) and 10th in the shot (30-5).
“Azlynn is third in the North in her division, and I think she can get better. Gabriella has a shot in the 3200.”
