High school track: Herriman’s Jackson Spencer, Weber’s Josh Hamblin shine in setting new state records at BYU Invite

Published: May 1, 2026, 6:54 p.m. MDT

Weber’s Josh Hamblin, center, clears the final hurdle as he improves his state record to 13.55 to win the 110-meter hurdles during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

James has been covering high school sports in Utah for the Deseret News for three decades.

A pair of future BYU track athletes took center stage at their soon-to-be home Friday afternoon and did not disappoint.

Herriman’s Jackson Spencer and Weber’s Josh Hamblin, two of the best runners in the country this spring, both broke overall state records at the BYU Invitational.

Hamblin already owned state records in the 110 and 300 hurdles from earlier this season, but he lowered the 110 record by .04 on Friday to 13.55, which ranks in the top six nationally.

Spencer, meanwhile, broke the 800-meter state record with a blistering time of 1:49.38, eclipsing the old state record by .02.

Spencer had a dominant cross country season last fall, and he’s spent much of the spring traveling to national track meets. This weekend is all about showcasing himself in front of the local crowd and trying to set records as well.

“It’s very exciting to be able to compete for the home crowd. There’s lots of competition in Utah, and I definitely feel like I’ve been able to give my full-out effort here, so it’s definitely fun, and I’m glad to be here,” said Spencer, who was named the Gatorade National Cross Country Runner of the Year last fall.

Athletes compete during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Lone Peak’s Brielle Nilsson (7) out leans Carbon’s Rozlyn Stowe (9) at the line to win the girls varsity 800-meter race in 2:09.96 during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

A pair of spikes sit on the track during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Herriman’s Jackson Spencer collects himself after running a state record 1:49.38 to win the varsity boys 800-meter race during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Snow Canyon’s Amelia Nadauld clears the final hurdle as she wins the girls varsity 100-meter hurdles during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Alta’s Macey Rockwood dives to the line to take home the win in the girls varsity 400-meter dash over Corner Canyon’s Willow Stevens during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Alta’s Macey Rockwood celebrates after winning the girls varsity 400-meter dash during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Bonneville’s Davis DeGroot celebrates after winning the boys varsity 400-meter dash during day one of the 2026 PACS BYU Invitational high school track meet at the Clarence F. Robison Track in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News

Spencer is certainly capable of finishing this season with the state records in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters, and Friday’s win over Orem’s Peter Mecham (1:49.84) crosses the first record off his list.

“I was hoping that I was able to win, and I knew that if I was able to win, I’d probably get the state record, so it was great to be able to get that and I finally have a state record under my belt,” said Spencer, who will try to chase another record in Saturday’s morning 1,600 meters.

For Hamblin, after what he described as a disappointing performance on Friday morning in the 100 meters, he wasn’t sure what to expect in the hurdles in the afternoon. He wasn’t worried about the record at all, and said he just wanted to run a clean race.

Mission accomplished.

“I was just trying to execute a clean race. That’s about it, and then the time will come, so that’s all I’m thinking of is getting the first two hurdles down good,” said Hamblin, who committed to BYU just a couple of weeks ago.

“The biggest focus for me this year has been getting over top of the hurdles quick, because I have really quick flat speed.”

Hamblin ran a 10.40 in the 100 meters at the Davis Invite a couple of weeks ago. It’s the best time in Utah this spring, and the second-best time in state history.

On Saturday, Hamblin is a threat to break his own state record in the 300 hurdles, which he believes is his strongest event.

“I feel better in the 300 because I can open up my stride and just run, rather than the hurdles, a stride-like pattern, it’s really quick steps. In the 300 I feel like I can just open up and run like normal for the most part,” said Hamblin.

Even though Spencer and Hamblin broke the only records on Friday, there were no shortages of elite performances at the meet.

Bonneville’s Davis DeGroot won the 400 meters with a time of 45.97, the second fastest-time in state history. The senior Kentucky signee owns the state record with a time of 45.46 from earlier this season.

Crimson Cliffs’ Eli Connelly won the boys high jump with a 6’08 and went straight to 7’00.25 and narrowly missed clearing it on his first jump.

For the girls, throwing sensation Kiera Sam Fong of Pine View won both the shot put and javelin.

Fellow Region 9 athlete Amelia Nadauld of Snow Canyon won both the 100 meters and 100 hurdles. She recorded the best time in the state this spring in both events.

Lone Peak’s Brielle Nilsson (800 meters) and Ogden’s Avery Barton (3,200) also recorded the state’s best times in their respective events on Friday.

In the final race of the night, Herriman’s sprint medley relay team also set a new record, as Jett Burbidge, Krew Olson, Spencer and Trevin Lounsbury teamed to run a time of 3:27.31.

It broke Davis’ state record of 3:28.73.

Since 2021, only 3A, 2A and 1A teams have compete in the sprint medley at state, and therefore the regular season as well. That was the year 6A, 5A and 4A teams started competing in the 4x800 and 4x200 relays instead.

At the BYU Invitational, teams are allowed to enter in different events, and as a result Herriman turned in a record-breaking performance that could stand for a long, long time.

BYU Invitational Day 1 results

Boys Individual results

100 meters — 1. Cade Jensen, Bingham, Jr., 10.57; 2. Jaden Heap, Juab, Jr., 10.64; 3. Josh Hamblin, Weber, Sr., 10.66; 4. Eli Warner, Park City, Sr., 10.67; 5. Soakai Fa, Snow Canyon, Sr., 10.69; 6. Gavin Hurst, Layton, Sr., 10.74; 7. Will Peterson, Farmington, Sr., 10.75; 8. Briggs Parker, Skyridge, Sr., 10.75.

400 meters — 1. Davis DeGroot, Bonneville, Sr., 45.97; 2. Jordan Jensen, Viewmont, Sr., 47.69; 3. Griffin Backman, Highland, So., 47.87; 4. Liam Lungren, Westlake, Sr., 48.01; 5. Greyson Chinn, Desert Hills, Sr., 48.03; 6. Ridge Olsen, Union, Sr., 48.14; 7. Slade Parker, Fremont, Sr., 48.38; 8. Mason Hamilton, Corner Canyon, Sr., 48.47.

800 meters — 1. Jackson Spencer, Herriman, Sr., 1:49.38; 2. Peter Mecham, Orem, Sr., 1:49.84; 3. Josh Beck, Pleasant Grove, Sr., 1:52.01; 4. Wyatt Jeppson, Mountain View, Sr., 1:52.90; 5. Kyle Chipman, Mountain View, Jr., 1:54.00; 6. Noah Hauck, Davis, Jr., 1:54.93; 7. Mason Gertsch, Pine View, Sr., 1:55.40; 8. Brock Doman, Corner Canyon, Jr., 1:56.00.

3,200 meters — 1. Edward Stout, Taylorsville, Sr., 9:08.27; 2. Caleb Brown, Herriman, Sr., 9:11.00; 3. Miles Braithwaite, Lehi, Sr., 9:11.59; 4. Tanner Morgan, Westlake, Sr., 9:12.31; 5. Harrison Skousen, Davis, Jr., 9:12.97; 6. Ezra Heckmann, Skyline, Sr., 9:13.19; 7. Elliott Stout, Taylorsville, Sr., 9:15.01; 8. Falcon Jones, Westlake, So., 9:16.17.

110 hurdles — 1. Josh Hamblin, Weber, Sr., 13.55; 2. Cameron Hill, Snow Canyon, Sr., 14.19; 3. Dylan Dye, Orem, Sr., 14.24; 4. Demetruis Taylor, East, Jr., 14.28; 5. Ryan Moser, Sky View, Sr., 14.42; 6. Chase Horne, Orem, Sr., 14.52; 7. Isaac Strong, Lone Peak, Sr., 14.59; 8. Trevor Cox, Layton, Sr., 14.64.

4x200 relay — 1. Skyridge, 1:27.66; 2. West Jordan, 1:28.59; 3. Mountain Crest, 1:29.22; 4. Lehi, 1:29.69; 5. Lone Peak, 1:30.25; 6. Viewmont, 1:30.31; 7. Stansbury, 1:30.39; 8. Sky View, 1:30.68.

Sprint medley relay — . Herriman, 3:27.31; 2. Morgan, 3:42.28; 3. North Fremont, 3:42.64; 4. Sugar-Salem, 3:43.28; 5. Richfield, 3:43.68; 6. Enterprise, 3:43.83; 7. Evanston, 3:46.83; 8. Grand County, 3:49.34.

High jump — 1. Eli Connelly, Crimson Cliffs, Sr., 6′08; 2. Ty Baird, Skyridge, Sr., 6′07; 3. Henry Bush, Mountain View, Sr., 6′06; 4. Kenneth Whitmer, Morgan, Sr., 6′06; 5. Max Oliver, West Field, Sr., 6′05; 6. Samuel Gaskell, Star Valley, Sr., 6′03; 7. Jack Larson, Sugar-Salem, Sr., 6′03; 8. Bradley Brown, Teton, Jr., 6′03.

Discus — 1. Matthew Bryant, Lone Peak, Sr., 186′06.25; 2. Brayden Maughan, Rigby High School, Sr., 172′03.5; 3. Johnny Parker, Davis, Jr., 169′05; 4. Justin Thayer, Lone Peak, Jr., 168′03.75; 5. Tina’u Fiaui, Corner Canyon, Sr., 166′01.75; 6. Ethan Sam Fong, Pine View, Sr., 162′03.5; 7. Luke Worley, Richfield, Sr., 158′02.75; 8. Chance Richards, Box Elder, Sr., 157′06.75.

Girls Individual results

100 meters — 1. Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon, Sr., 11.62; 2. Reese Lewis, Riverton, Sr., 12.10; 3. Tatum Turner, Lone Peak, Jr., 12.13; 4. Layla Valadez, Corner Canyon, Jr., 12.25; 5. Hadley Millsap, West Field, So., 12.27; 6. Kassidee Kidd, Box Elder, So., 12.35; 7. Aliysa Hunting, Uintah, Sr., 12.38; 8. Shyannah Sonnenberg, Provo, Fr., 12.41.

400 meters — 1. Macey Rockwood, Alta, Sr., 56.20; 2. Willow Stevens, Corner Canyon, Jr., 56.23; 3. Mallory Carter, Park City, So., 56.54; 4. Olivia Holt, Riverton, Sr., 56.89; 5. Abbegale Mehr, Skyridge, Fr., 56.91; 6. Kaylan Anderson, Box Elder, Sr., 56.93; 7. Grace Anderson, Hurricane, Sr., 57.36; 8. Ellie Lange, Desert Hills, Fr., 57.92.

800 meters — 1. Brielle Nilsson, Lone Peak, Sr., 2:09.96; 2. Rozlyn Stowe, Carbon, Sr., 2:09.98; 3. Willow Stevens, Corner Canyon, Jr., 2:11.54; 4. Tevye Geddes, Pine View, So., 2:12.58; 5. Addy Guymon, Emery, Sr., 2:13.01; 6. Abbegale Mehr, Skyridge, Fr., 2:13.07; 7. Dorothy Jensen, Lander Valley, So., 2:14.38; 8. Leah Larson, Riverton, Sr., 2:14.63.

3,200 meters — 1. Avery Barton, Ogden, Jr., 10:23.01; 2. Addy Guymon, Emery, Sr., 10:27.27; 3. Skye Jensen, American Fork, Jr., 10:33.44; 4. Maya Bybee, Lone Peak, Jr., 10:40.97; 5. Hailey Atwater, Lone Peak, Jr., 10:55.73; 6. Bridget Smit, Brighton, So., 10:56.26; 7. Remy McAdams, Lehi, Jr., 11:01.17; 8. Maya Parker, Westlake, Sr., 11:01.62.

100 hurdles — 1. Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon, Sr., 14.09; 2. Skylee Guymon, Emery, Jr., 14.14; 3. Lisa Richards, Union, Jr., 14.48; 4. Ava Wyatt, Layton, Sr., 14.61; 5. Kambri Muir, Salem Hills, Sr., 14.80; 6. Makiah Turner, Snow Canyon, Sr., 15.19; 7. Quincy Hadlock, Lone Peak, Sr., 15.24; 8. Kate George, Corner Canyon, So., 15.28.

4x200 relay — 1. Corner Canyon, 1:40.20; 2. American Fork, 1:41.39; 3. Riverton, 1:42.22; 4. Lehi, 1:42.91; 5. Box Elder, 1:43.11; 6. Skyridge, 1:43.28; 7. Lone Peak, 1:44.42; 8. Sugar-Salem, 1:44.43.

Sprint medley relay — 1. Carbon, 4:11.52; 2. Morgan, 4:26.47; 3. Grand County, 4:27.41; 4. Canyon View, 4:28.86; 5. North Summit, 4:32.19; 6. Rich, 4:34.59; 7. South Summit, 4:37.14; 8. Enterprise, 4:41.12.

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Long jump — 1. Makiah Turner, Snow Canyon, Sr., 18′08.75; 2. Mercedes Stewart, Sky View, Sr., 18′04.5; 3. Lisa Richards, Union, Jr., 18′02.25; 4. Autumn Frandsen, Provo, Sr., 18′02.25; 5. Brené Hogan, Payson, So., 17′11; 6. Ginger Ballstaedt, American Fork, Sr., 17′08; 7. Andee Petterson, Sugar-Salem, Sr., 17′03; 8. Kabree Gordon, Emery, Sr., 17′01.75.

Javelin — 1. Kiera Sam Fong, Pine View, Sr., 128′08; 2. Rowen Weaver, Union, Jr., 122′08; 3. Sophia Doxey, Sky View, Sr., 122′03; 4. Mya Hinds, Green Canyon, Sr., 121′09; 5. Gracie Tait, Lehi, Sr., 118′02; 6. Hallie Spackman, Preston, So., 117′11; 7. Paisley Bell, Uintah, Sr., 117′06; 8. Hallee Hutchins, Millard, So., 115′08.

Shot put — 1. Kiera Sam Fong, Pine View, Sr., 45′08; 2. Lacee Pace, Westlake, Sr., 41′07.75; 3. Ellie Stephens, North Summit, Jr., 38′10.75; 4. Abigail Carrillo-Zarate, Star Valley, Sr., 38′10.75; 5. Corey-Ella Collins, Hillcrest, Jr., 38′01; 6. ‘Atelaite Latu, West, Sr., 37’06.5; 7. Maile Mataele, Corner Canyon, Sr., 37′06.25; 8. Saianea Lolohea, West Jordan, Fr., 36′09.25.

Pole vault — 1. Elizabeth Ekins, Herriman, Sr., 12′06; 2. Saige Baxter, Farmington, Sr., 11′09; 3. Addi Richards, Emmett, Jr., 11′09; 4. Lizzy Poston, Rigby High School, Sr., 11′09; 5. Kaylei Kelley, Rigby High School, Jr., 11′03; 6. Gracie West, Rigby High School, So., 11′03; 7. Savannah Berbert, Herriman, Jr., 10′09; 8. Sophie Robinson, Layton, Sr., 10′09.

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