The top track and field teams in Utah County gathered this week at Springville High, and some may prove to be the best in the state.
At the conclusion of the two-day Utah County Invitational on Wednesday, Spanish Fork's girls claimed their third invitational championship in as many weeks, showing once again that they are primed for another title run.
On the boys side, Timpview edged out 5A's Timpanogos for the team title. The question was still in doubt all the way down to the last step of the final event.
Spanish Fork's girls showed once again that they are not just a one-family team, as they gathered points from various contributors besides the famed Stewart sisters.
"Our girls have run well all season," said Spanish Fork girls coach Bart Thompson. "And they continue to do so, despite losing some of our top runners to injuries. We had some kids step up and run well. It was really a team effort this time for the girls."
Amanda Morse picked up points for the Dons in the 100 and 200-meter sprints, and Sonja Ponis finished third in the 800m run. Those finishes, coupled with Nachelle Stewart's individual titles in the 100, 200 and 400, helped Spanish Fork rack up 113.5 points to finish on top. Stewart's time of 24.91 seconds in the 200m established a new meet record.
"We continue to be where we want to be," Thompson said. "We're definitely getting closer to our goal of having a good strong crew qualified for state next month."
Springville came in second in the girls competition, using high finishes by Nichole Campell in the throws and Allissa Huffaker in the hurdles. Other individual winners included: Mountain View's Sarah Yingling in the 1600 and 800m runs; Timpview's Jasmine Stone (shot put) and Kristina Nibley (long jump); Orem's Delyse Downey in the javelin; and Lone Peak's Chelsey Kaplar in the 100m hurdles.
The boys competition was back and forth the entire meet, with Timpview picking up enough points in the final event, the 4x400m relay, to come out on top. Timpanogos was still in the chase at the end, but a disqualification in the 4x400 relegated it to second place.
Timpview also triumphed in the 4x100 and medley relays, and Stephen Paea took the championship in the discus. High finishes by Bennett Wilson and Beau Healey in the 300m hurdles added to the T-birds' cause.
Other individual boys winners included: Lehi's Josh White in the 110m hurdles; Timpanogos' Silas Pimentel in the 100 and 200m races and Chris Bringhurst in the 800m; Mountain View's Adam McDonald in the 1600m; American Fork's Matt Harward in the high jump; and Lone Peak's Colton Fox in the 300m hurdles.