News Summary

The 2025 AIA State Championships held at Mesa Community College showcased remarkable performances from Arizona’s talented freshman track athletes. With standout performances leading to broken records, young stars like Kadyn Hysong and Brandon Delancey have emerged as prime candidates for future greatness. As excitement builds for the next season, the state’s emerging track talent promises a bright future for Arizona’s track and field scene.

Arizona Freshman Track Stars Shine During the 2025 AIA State Championships

As the sun set on the 2025 high school track and field season, Mesa Community College served as the backdrop for the action-packed AIA State Championships. This year’s events were full of excitement, broken records, and a wave of fresh talent that’s set to redefine the future of Arizona track and field.

High school athletes gave their all in various events, showcasing their talents and breaking state records. Among the most thrilling stories to emerge from the season was the rise of the freshman class of 2028, whose impressive performances have been turning heads across the state. With top finishes and remarkable times, several young competitors have made a name for themselves. The data compiled highlighted the top rankings for boys in the state, ensuring these athletes are firmly on the radar as we gear up for the next school year.

Standing Tall at the Top

Leading the charge is Kadyn Hysong, a freshman from Phoenix Shadow Mountain, who has made waves as the best pole vaulter in the nation among his peers. Hysong soared to a jaw-dropping height of 16 feet, 9 inches, ranking him fourth all-time for his class. He also showcased his speed by clinching the Division III state title in the 200 meters with a remarkable time of 22.17 seconds.

Next up we have Brandon Delancey from Gilbert Highland, who has established himself as one of the top 1,600-meter runners in Arizona. He clocked in at an incredible 4:15.48, making him the second fastest in the country for his class. With previous honors as an eighth-grader after winning a national championship, Delancey is living up to all the hype.

Breaking Barriers

Meanwhile, representing Peoria Liberty, Gavin Lombardi is the only freshman from Arizona to qualify for the 400 meters at the state championships. His impressive time of 49.67 seconds proves he is a name to watch. In a similar showing, Layne Wooden from Laveen Cesar Chavez made headlines as well, running the 110-meter hurdles in 14.59 seconds, making him just the second freshman in state history to achieve such a fast time.

Sam Besch-Stokes of Chandler Arizona College has established himself as an up-and-coming athlete to keep an eye on in the 800 meters, marking a leading time of 1:56.55. Alongside him, Samuel Schiermeyer from Phoenix Desert Vista led freshmen in javelin with a personal best toss of 165-9.

Sprinting to Success

Josiah Davis from Goodyear Millennium took the state by storm, leading the 400 with an impressive 49.13 seconds and securing the second position in the 200 at 22.19 seconds. Notably, he is the first freshman to break the 23-second barrier for the 200 meters and the 50-second barrier for the 400 meters.

As our list continues, Terik Slaughter from Phoenix Pinnacle cleared an impressive high jump of 6-4, making him the leading freshman in the state. Sema’J Rogers of Buckeye Union finished third in the triple jump with a personal best of 43-11 and had a long jump of 22-4.25, once again demonstrating his talent for jumping events.

Rounding out the top ten rankings is Maris Adams from Peoria Liberty, who achieved the only freshman time under 41 seconds in the 300 hurdles with a finish of 40.63 seconds, also finishing second in the 110 hurdles with a time of 15.62 seconds.

A Promising Future

The buzz surrounding these young athletes is palpable, with each performance hinting at an invigorating future for track and field in Arizona. The state clearly boasts a deep and competitive talent pool, which is incredibly exciting to witness. As we look forward to the next school year, it’s clear that these student-athletes are poised for greatness, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll achieve next.

What’s more, readers have a chance to weigh in on this year’s championship performances. A poll has been made available to vote for the standout freshman athlete of the season—the future is bright, and everyone is eager to cheer on these rising stars!

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